The Holy Quran and hadith contain limitless knowledge which can be applied in daily life. The knowledge contained here covers everything from religion and social behavior to general knowledge and medical sciences. Tibenabvi is the Prophetic medicine by which Muslims can gain medical and spiritual knowledge for better health and healing. The Holy Prophet (SAW) used various herbs, plants and medicines with excellent effect on health. As Muslims, we can learn from them and add these tibenabvi herbs, plants and medicine in our daily life. Following are some of the ones which have presence in Quran and hadith.

Medicinal Flora listed in Holy Quran and Hadith

1. Figs

English: Fig

Latin: Ficus carica Linn

Arabic: Teen, Himaat

Urdu: Injeer

Family: Moraceae

Habitat: Asia, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, Algeria, Morocco.

Useful parts: Roots, leaves and fruits

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses

• Treatment of gastrointestinal issues such as colic, which is caused by abdominal pain resulting from gas and obstruction of digestive tract. The high fiber content works well to promote peristalsis movement and form a proper stool for excretion.
• Used as a hunger stimulant. The simple sugars in figs stimulate hunger when used in moderation.
• Treats diarrhea. The high fiber content creates a solid stool to stop diarrhea.
• Soothes sore throat, reduces fits of coughing and reduces symptoms of basic bronchial problems. Figs form a fine mucosal layer in the airways which allows easy breathing.
• Reduces inflammation (especially of the throat and respiratory tract).
• Fig juice is used to induce urine for cleansing the kidneys. It is diuretic by nature, which means it redirects water from kidneys to urine, thus promoting their function.
• Improves cardiovascular health.

References in Quran and Ahadith

By the fig and the olive! (Sura At-Tin ‚ Verse 1).

The Holy Prophet (SAW) said “Eat fig, for it cures the piles and is useful for rheumatism” (Hazrat Abu Darda (RA)).

2. Garlic

English: Garlic

Arabic: At-thum

Latin: Allium Sativum

Urdu: Lehsun

Family: Liliaceae

Habitat: Egypt, Italy, France, India, Pakistan, China and USA. Fundamental to any modern cuisine, hence grown at some rate around the world.

Parts used: Bulb

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses

• Lowers blood cholesterol and blood pressure.
• Improves the body’s ability to regulate blood glucose.
• Contains antioxidants for fighting free radicals, thus reducing chances of cancer.
• Antibacterial in nature, hence works well against bacterial infections.
• Excellent source of dietary Sulphur.

References in Quran and Ahadith

And when you said, “O Moses, we can never endure one food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions” (Sura Al-Baqarah‚ Verse 61).

3. Onion

English: Onion

Arabic: Basal

Latin: Allium Cepa

Urdu: Piaz

Family: Liliaceae

Habitat: India, Pakistan, China, Russia, America and Europe. Fundamental to any modern cuisine, hence grown at some rate around the world.

Parts used: Rhizome, leaves and seeds

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses

• Contains anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic thiosulphinates and cepaenes compounds.
• Curbs growth of harmful bacteria in gut.
• Curbs growth of intestinal worms.
• Contains vitamins and essential minerals which are absorbed from the soil and stored in them.
• Decreases triglycerides and cholesterol, making it an excellent addition to diet for reducing obesity and better cardiovascular health.
• Contains 25 different types of flavonoid antioxidants for fighting free radicals, which reduces cellular aging and chances of cancer.

References in Quran and Ahadith

“And [recall] when you said, “O Moses, we can never endure one food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions” (Sura Al-Baqarah (The Cow)‚verse 61)

Umar (RA) said: “O people, you eat two plants which I find to be nothing but repugnant, this onion and garlic.

I remember the Messenger of Allah (SAW), if he noticed their smell coming from a man in the mosque, he would issue orders that he taken out to al-Baqee” (Muslim 567).

4. Lentils

English Name: Lentil

Arabic Name: Adas

Latin: L. culinaris

Urdu: Dal Masur

Family: Leguminosae

Habitat: Canada, India, Turkey, U.S. and Nepal. Fundamental to any modern cuisine, hence grown at some rate around the world.

Parts used: Lentils are the seeds, which are high in proteins, complex carbohydrates, vitamins and essential minerals.

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses

• Densely packed with plant proteins and complex carbohydrates, which takes time to digest. They are used by the body as they are being absorbed slowly by the intestines.
• The plant protein does not produce high amounts of uric acid when digested, hence it is highly recommended for patients watching their cholesterol and ailing from joint pains.
• Complex carbohydrates are an excellent substitute for the simple sugars which contribute towards obesity. They are slowly absorbed and released into the body, which would otherwise cause spike in blood glucose levels.

References in Quran and Ahadith

O Moses, we can never endure one food. So call upon your Lord to bring forth for us from the earth its green herbs and its cucumbers and its garlic and its lentils and its onions” (Sura Al-Baqarah ‚ verse 61).

5. Cucumber

English: Cucumber

Arabic Name: Qissa, Khiarun

Latin: Cucumis Sativus

Urdu: Khira

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Habitat: Tropical and subtropical zones of the world

Parts used: The entire fruit is eaten. Leaves contain free cucurbitasides B and C, ferrodoxin, alpha-apinasterol. Even the flowers are useful as they contain free and bound sterols, proteolic enzymes, ascorbic acid oxidase, and succinic and malic dehydrogenase.

Health Benefits and Medicinal Uses

• Cucumbers are rich in antioxidants which fight free radicals and cellular aging.
• Flushes the body along with toxins in the blood.
• Antibacterial property cleanses the mouth and prevents bad breath.
• Used in tonics to hydrate the body and cleanse blood.
• Extremely rich in vitamins and minerals, which include potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and sodium iron, vitamins A, B1, B2 and C.
• Stimulates hunger, hence is often used for increasing appetite.

References in Quran and Hadith

Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja’far (RA) recalled: “I saw the Holy Prophet (SAW) eating fresh dates with cucumber” (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi, Ibne Maja).

Hazrat Ummul Mu’minin (RA) said: ”My mother intended to make me fat to send me to the Holy Prophet (SAW). But nothing which she desired benefited me till she gave me cucumber with fresh dates to eat. Then I became very fat.

(57)