The Health Benefits of Sidr Tree or Lote-Tree

Lote-tree was mentioned in the Quran in three surahs (chapters.) Allah Almighty says in surah an Najm: “By the Lote Tree of the Furthest Boundary. Near it is the Paradise of Abode. When the lote-tree was covered with that which covered it.” (an Najm:14-16) That means the blessed Sidr tree is a great tree in the highest heaven. Allah Almighty says in surah al Waqiah describing paradise: “[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed” (al Waqiah: 28.) This verse shows that the Sidr has good fruit.

Sidr also is mentioned in the sunnah in numerous ahaadeeth. It was used at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a soap and shampoo in different situations:

It was mentioned in the sunnah washing the head with al Sidr more than anything else. Al Sidr was also mentioned for washing hair and body. It was also used for ghusl for entering the religion of Islam. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, referred to it in the context of washing the dead. Narrated by Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), he said – as a man stood at Arafah when he fell from his camel and died –  the prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Wash him with water and Sidr and shroud him in his clothes”  (al Bukhari.)

Health Benefits

Sidr tree contains many beneficial nutrients to the human body that strengthen the immune system. It is therefore used in the preparation of many natural remedies for many diseases, health problems, aesthetic and others.

The leaves, flowers, fruits, and honey of the Sidr tree have great medicinal properties. Sidr tree leaves are used for great medical purposes and are good for treating certain skin diseases in particular. 

Protects Against Many Diseases

Antioxidants in Sidr leaves protect the body from the risk of cancerous tumors. It protects the liver from the risk of disease. The leaves are considered an effective treatment for anemia. It also addresses many problems related to oral diseases and gingivitis.

Helps Relieve Aches

Sidr leaf helps relieve various pains because it contains linoleic acid that is important and necessary to maintain a healthy body. The soaked leaves are used to relieve the pain of arthritis.

Relieves Stomach Problems

It treats heartburn and helps clean the stomach of harmful toxins. It also has a strong ability to rid the digestive system of intestinal worms, as well as treating diarrhea and helping to get rid of gas and bloating.

Treatment of Respiratory Diseases

Sidr leaves treat diseases related to the respiratory system such as chest and respiratory diseases. They are also useful for sore throat. Sider powder helps to eliminate phlegm.

Gets Rid of Toxins

Sidr leaf helps to purify the body and blood of toxins, impurities, and harmful bacteria.

Aids with Sleep and Relaxation

Sidr leaves treat many sleeping disorders such as insomnia. The leaves contribute to rapid sleep. Many studies have shown that drinking Sider tea once a day before sleep helps getting rid of anxiety, tension, and insomnia.

Calms the Nerves

It also calms the nerves and relaxes the body as well. It treats many psychological problems such as stress and anxiety.

Revives the Body

At the same time, the leaf increases the energy and vitality of the body and gets rid of fatigue, tiredness, laziness and keeps you full of energy throughout the day. As well as maintain muscle health and strength.

Refreshes the Body

In addition, it boosts the body and helps to relieve the body’s high temperature. And also, reduces the feeling of thirst during the hot days.

Helps Treat Skin Diseases

Sidr leaves help to treat skin diseases such as scabies and stops, and the spread of blisters. As well as treat acne and remove acne scars from the face without having any negative side effects on the skin. It also soothes wounds and skin infections.

Treats Excessive Sweating

The leaves limit the problem of excessive sweating that affects many people, especially in the summer.

Aids with PMS

Sidr leaves help treat menstrual irregularities and support the health of the female reproductive system. Sidr tea is also used for the treatment of PMS.

Keeps Mother and Fetus Healthy

The fruit of the Sidr maintains the health of the pregnant woman and her fetus, because it contains important elements and vitamins, as well as opens the appetite of pregnant women. But it is advisable to consume Sidr in a very low amount so as not to cause problems during pregnancy.

How to Use Sidr Leaves

More people are going back to using safe herbs instead of using medicines and commercial beauty products that contain many harmful chemicals and have many negative side effects. Here are some easy ways to use Sidr leaves:

• Eating the fruits of Sidr tree by healthy individuals strengthens the immunity in general, provide energy and vitality and protect against many diseases.

• Soak several leaves in boiled water and let it sit for several hours, then rinse your mouth with this water to soothe toothache and to treat gum infections. There is no need to soak the leaves if you use fresh leaves.

• Drink Sidr tea to lower the body temperature, and for restoring vital energy to the body, as well as for treating infections and inflammation, and for relieving menstrual pain. It can be taken before bedtime to get rid of insomnia and tension. But do not drink too much of this tea.

• To treat arthritis, grind Sidr leaves and knead with water, then put the paste on the joints to soften the pain.

• To treat acne, mix powdered Sidr leaves with water until it becomes a paste, then apply it on the face for 10 minutes and then rinse the face with lukewarm water. This can be repeated three times a week.

• Boil the Sidr leaves for about 20 minutes and then wash with water to treat skin diseases. It is also possible to prepare a bath to treat the entire body.

• Boil the leaves of Sidr with the Siwak for about twenty minutes and then strain and drink it to eliminate inflammation of the intestines.

Where to get these leaves?

If the tree grows in your area, it is possible to prepare the leaves by yourself, clean them, dry them and then grind them gently. You can get the whole leaves or ground leaves from health shops in your area or from some websites, like Amazon.

Caution:

Sidr leaves are considered safe. Despite the many benefits of Sidr leaves, there might be some bad side effects from excessive use as with other medicinal plants.

It may cause problems during pregnancy if consumed in large amounts. Therefore, it is preferred to be taken by pregnant women in a very small amount after consulting with her doctor.

 

Benefits of Rosemary – Rosemary and Olive Oil Recipe

Rosemary is one of those herbs with many uses and has many health benefits. This video also contains a simple and delicious rosemary oil recipe that has a nice special aroma and could be used for food and skin.

For centuries, rosemary is used to flavor food, as well as ask to improve memory. This herb, especially the flower tops, contains antibacterial and antioxidant acid, plus several essential oils such that are known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties.

It is preferred to use fresh rosemary because it is more delicate than the pungent dried form. You can refrigerate fresh rosemary in a Ziploc bag for several weeks. You can keep dried rosemary in a tight container in a cool, dark, and dry place for several months.

Rosemary is rich in A vitamin that provides antioxidant properties that fight free radicals, vision protection, healthy skin and mucous membranes, and increases the protection from lung and mouth cancers.

Rosemary fights infection, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C in rosemary play an important role in the synthesis of collagen, the protein required for optimal organs, blood vessels, bones, and skin, especially since collagen production decreases with age.

Manganese is a very prominent mineral in rosemary because it contains an important antioxidant for the body. It is associated with lowering the risk of cancer, specifically breast cancer.

Rosemary contains iron, which determines how much oxygen the blood will carry.  It also contains potassium, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

In addition, rosemary contains fiber, calcium, magnesium, copper, and an abundance of B vitamins, which helps prevent neural tube defects in newborns.

Rosemary-infused oil recipe:

Put two springs of dry rosemary leave into a glass jar. Fill with olive oil, close the jar tightly and shake lightly. Store the jar in a warm, dark place for two weeks. Strain, and then pour back into the glass jar.

You could use it as a delicious salad dressing, by simply mixing it with vinegar, lemon juice, or with your favorite salad dressing then drizzle on salad. You could also use it for a fragrant bath by adding about a ¼ cup to your bath.

The Amazing Benefits of Arugula

Arugula is a dark leafy green plant that is a member of the Cruciferous family like kale, cauliflower, and broccoli. Arugula originated in the Mediterranean region. Arugula is a popular salad vegetable that has a peppery taste, but it loses some of its peppery flavor when cooked.

Arugula Is Rich in Nutrition

This green vegetable is a nutrient-dense food that is high in fiber and phytochemicals that reduces the risk of cancer and heart disease. Arugula is low in calories, carbohydrate, sugar, and fat. It is rich in antioxidants, calcium, potassium and many vitamins and minerals.

Helps Improve Immune System

Arugula is full of vitamins and minerals that enhance the defenses of the body’s immune system. The body is stimulated to create white blood cells from the copper in arugula. Arugula improves the strength of the immune system number in several ways. The vitamin C in arugula is one of the best defenses for the body to seek out dangerous, inflammatory free radicals and eliminate them from the body before they can cause real damage. Arugula helps the body maintain good health by giving an extra push to the immune system.

Help with Weight Loss

Even though Arugula is nutritionally-dense, but it is low in calories. You could eat more calories and feel fuller with less food. Arugula is a great choice for a salad that has nutrients, unlike the crispy water like iceberg lettuce.

Help Digest Food Better

Arugula contains a high amount of fiber. Food high in fiber can help digest food quicker and prevent constipation. In addition, high fiber diets can reduce the risk of colon cancer and ulcerative colitis.

Helps Prevent Diabetes

Clinical research confirms that plant extracts taken from the arugula seeds help fight blood sugar fluctuations. Eating a lot of green vegetables is thought to be a natural diabetes treatment since it improves insulin responsiveness, and it is free of sugar and carbs. Arugula extract or oil is considered an effective prevention and treatment method for improving insulin response and reducing blood sugar levels. In addition, arugula is diuretic and acts to slow the absorption of sugar after eating in the stomach because it contains a high proportion of soluble fiber.

Help Protect Eyes

Arugula is an excellent source of vitamin A along with carotenoids, which is necessary for the prevention of macular degeneration and cataracts. Additionally, vitamin A deficiency could cause night blindness, and it is responsible for 250,000 to 500,000 children who become blind every year.

Reduces High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

ِArugula contains nitrates that prevent arteriosclerosis, which makes blood flow naturally without raising blood pressure. Also, studies indicate that arugula contributes to the reduction of harmful cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride. In addition, it raises the levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body.

May Help Fight Cancer

ِArugula contains sulfur-containing compounds, which could inhibit the activity of cancer-causing cells. Arugula also contains a chemical that could help inactivate cancer-causing chemicals, which protect cellular DNA from damage, induce cell death in cancerous cells, and prevent tumor blood vessel formation.

Promotes Healthy Bones

Arugula may help people heal faster from bone injuries since it is an excellent source of vitamin K. Vitamin K helps promote calcium absorption and facilitates the regeneration of muscles and blood clots.

Relieves ِArthritis Pain

Arugula contains special chemical compounds, which possess anti-inflammatory properties. They suppress the production of inflammatory mediators and reduce the aches and pains associated with chronic inflammation.

May Help Fight Liver Disease

The extract of the arugula plant may improve liver function and the performance of antioxidants. The seeds and leaves of arugula can be used to protect from liver toxins. It is, therefore, necessary to take watercress leaves regularly to prevent liver disease.

Help Improve the Brain Health of Babies

Arugula is a good source of folates, a classification which includes folic acid. Folates have been found to decrease occurrences of certain mental defects in newborns.

How to use it

Raw Arugula is delicious and has a peppery flavor. It can be used as a healthy add-on topping for, sandwiches and wraps. It can be served as a salad with nothing more than tomatoes, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. It also could be added to smoothies, avocado, cheese, butter, olive oil, and other salads.

Arugula loses some of its peppery flavor when cooked. Arugula gives the main dish a delicious flavor when it is added to it. It also could be added to pasta dishes, pizza, and other dishes. It is preferable not to cook it for a long time so as not to lose its nutritional value. It is best to eat arugula fresh to maintain its many nutritional benefits.

Caution

Arugula is generally safe for consumption by healthy people. If you have any disease please see your doctor before consuming arugula frequently to treat any disease because it might harm your health.