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Professor Gerard Bodeker Chair, Global Initiative For Traditional Systems of Health,

Oxford, UK

www.giftsofhealth.org

&

Dept of Primary Health Care Sciences,

University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

&

Dept of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health,

Columbia University, New York, USA

The Islamic World

• Today, Muslims number between 1.2 and 1.6 billion people.

• This represents about 23% of the 2009 estimated world population of 6.8 billion.

• The Muslim population is distributed regionally as follows:

• 62% in Asia-Pacific

• 20% in Middle East and North Africa

• 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa

• 2% in Europe & Americas

Morbidity in the GCC

• The Saudi Project for Assessment of Acute Coronary Syndrome (SPACE) found that 58% of 5055 acute coronary syndrome patients in the study had diabetes.

• Obesity affects around 30% of men and 44% of women in Saudi Arabia. 25% of adults have diabetes.

• Metabolic syndrome is prevalent in 39% of men and 42% of women.

• Cardiovascular diseases cause 45% of early deaths in the Gulf region.

• Researchers concluded that high diabetes prevalence in the general population highlights the importance of cardiovascular prevention.

Reassessing Lifestyle

• European Society of Cardiology prevention expert Professor

David Wood (London, UK) (2013):

"European prevention guidelines focus on a

lifestyle approach to cardiovascular prevention

through multidisciplinary preventive cardiology

programs.

In Saudi Arabia, whilst they have world class facilities

in interventional cardiology, they do not have the

comparable services in cardiovascular prevention.

And that is a big gap in their national health service.”

Appropriate lifestyle guidelines, well suited to the culture, are

needed

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Koranic Medicine; Arabic Medicine;

Wellness Traditions of Islamic Societies

• Koranic medicine - Scholars have long recognised the importance of Koranic medicine i.e. references in the Koran to healing plants, water, the role of fasting in purification, healing foods such as honey and dates, etc

• Arabic medicine and science - recognised as centrally important in the growth of Western

medicine, science and mathematics. With roots in ancient Greek Hippocratic medicine, and revised and expanded by the Persian scholar Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Arabic Medicine – has also exerted a profound influence on the health traditions of Islamic South Asia (Pakistan, Bangaldesh and parts of India) as well as on Central Asia and Western China.

• Both Koranic and Arabic medicine are written traditions with a formal body of knowledge supporting them.

• Wellness Traditions of Islamic Societies – undocumented till now is the informal, collection of health traditions and practices employed by the Ummah to support healthy living, wellbeing, freedom from disease and healthy ageing. This knowledge draws on how the body responds to Nature and a long standing cultural history of drawing on Nature for health and wellbeing.

The Vision

• There has not yet been a clear recognition that all of

these lifestyle and wellbeing approaches of the Islamic

world are unified by their relationship with Nature as a

source of health and healing

• Now, drawing on this broad view, there is the potential

to create a unified knowledge base, documenting the

wide array of Wellness Traditions of the Islamic World

The Research Effort

• The Global Initiatives For Traditional Systems (GIFTS)

of Health in Oxford has experience with traditional

medicine and wellness in various parts of the Islamic world;

Malaysia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar and UAE, Morocco,

Egypt, Parts of Sub-Saharan Africa

• The Research Strategy has been to sift through the vast

literature on herbal and traditional medicine, and to

uncover from this a more focused body of knowledge on

wellbeing.

• This is an ongoing initiative of GIFTS of Health and

the network of partnerships is expanding.

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Examples from GCC

Food and Nutrition

• Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum) is used in Oman as a restorative for women after childbirth to help them regain

their strength and vitality (Eickleman 1984). • Research supports this traditional use: it is a galactogogue,

helping mothers to increase milk production, stimulates uterine contractions, helping to ease postpartum contractions, and it is estrogenic, helping to rebalance

postpartum hormones (Sreeja et al. 2010, Westfall 200, Bingel and

Farnsworth 1991).

Aroma

• Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5000 years (Basar 2003). The aroma of frankincense is said to represent life and is used symbolically to anoint infants and individuals moving into a new phase of their life.

Sidra (Ziziphus nummularia, mauritania, spinachristi)

• The Holy Q’ran mentions the Sidra tree twice and as such this species is highly respected throughout the Middle East.

• This tree has been widely used as a fruit plant and as a medicinal plant since antiquity and is still in use at present.

• Abundant in foliage and fruit, the Sidra tree is adapted to thriving in conditions of very low rainfall.

• The fruit is eaten and is high in K, P, Mn, Ca, Na, Zn, Fe, Cu. It also contains vitamin c, riboflavin and thiamine and 20 times the amount of vitamin C as citrus fruits.

• The vitamin and mineral content of the fruit helps to soothe the stomach, ease sore throats, support cardiovascular health, enhance metabolism and cleanse the blood vessels. It’s hepatoprotective, treats insomnia and anxiety, and improves immune function (Saied et al. 2008).

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

• Purslane is a wild green that is

cultivated and eaten throughout the

Arabian Peninsula.

• Usually eaten fresh as a snack or in

salads and is high in vitamin C,

vitamin A, calcium, and potassium

(Musaiger 1993).

• It is high in essential fatty acids,

particularly alpha-linoleic acid

(Simopoulos et al. 1992, Simopoulos 2004).

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Examples from GCC - Beauty Care

• Shu Oil (Moringa peregrina) is edible and medicinal,

traditionally used as a moisturizer and to treat

headaches and fevers. Similar to olive oil in its fatty

acid composition, it is highly unsaturated (Tsaknas

1998, Al-Khatani 1995). More reasearch has been done

on its close relative, Moringa oleifera, which was

traditionally used in ancient Egypt under the name Ben

oil.

• Habba Souda (Nigella Sativa) is mentioned in the holy

Qur’an and is seen as a panacea through the Arab

world. It is used for overall health and beauty and as

traditional medicine. The oil is used to beautify the skin,

nourish the hair and stimular hair growth (Lebling

2006). Studies show that it is high in anti-oxidants and

essential fatty acids (Nikovar et al 2003).

Malaysian Health & Beauty Traditions

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Examples for Food and Nutrition

Malaysia

• With the widely popular Malay herbal salads, known as ulam, food and medicine are interchangeable.

• Night markets, wet markets and supermarkets now sell these traditional herbal salad ingredients to city dwellers, while in rural areas, plants for ulam are gathered from the wild or grown within the area of the village vicinity.

Morocco

• Amlu is a delicious spread/dip made from argan oil, ground roasted almonds and honey. Traditionally, it is eaten with bread as an afternoon snack.

Iran

• Nutritional Theory: Iranian food traditions, to achieve balance in taste and nutritional effect, combine such flavourings as saffron, dried limes, cinnamon, and parsley, both to balance, food & also as primary ingredients.

Examples for Massage

Indonesia • Every region has unique forms of massage & oils. For example,

post-natal ventral massage in Indonesia – an ideal basis for a maternal

care program.

Uzbekistan • The oil of the young leaves of laurel (Laurus nobilis),

grapeseed & harmal (Wild Rue) have been used since

ancient times for men’s health, to support overall vitality,

and boost the immune system.

Morrocco • Moroccan massages Are used to treat specific ailments.

• The massage is used for its relaxing benefits and the potential for therapeutic effects on the body.

Examples for Beauty

Indonesia

• Jamu has been prepared primarily by women for their own health and beauty needs as well as those of their family.

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a core ingredient in Jamu preparations, used for radiant complexion, slimming, rejuvenation, postnatal and hair treatments.

• For preventative health, it has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.

China

• Aloe vera is known as Lu Hui and No Hui in Chinese Medicine. This arid zone plant owes some of its origins in Chinese Medicine to the influence of Arabic medicine.

• In addition to being used as a general cooling agent and digestive aid, Lu Hui is used topically for promoting healthy skin and managing skin conditions.

AROMA

Aroma

Iran

• Persian Rose Water

Central and Eastern

Europe

• Grapeseed oil

South Asia

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nata

shmla

Acacia seyal

Body Incense • Taking scented smoke bath (Sauna) is a common custom

among Sudanese women. • A hole dug in the ground and filled with burning wood

consists of Terminalia brownii, Acacia seyal and Combretum sp.

• A rounded mat with a central opening similar to the size of the hole, covers the ground (nata).

• Women anointed with special scented oil sit on the top of the smoking pit for two hours, wrapped in a special blanket (shmla) to smoke their skin to silky perfection. Research shows T. brownii to be effective against candidiasis – yeast infection.

Water Therapies

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Budapest Hammams

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Energy and Vitality Ubat periuk

• Made of senna leaves, betel leaves, galangal, ginger, temu lawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), jemuju (Eryngium foetidum), cekur (Kaempferia galanga) and lempoyang (Zingziber zerumbet).

• Weekly detoxifying herbal drink and traditional Malay anti-aging remedy.

• Purges heat and waste, cleanses internally to create a radiant outer result.

Ras el-hanut

• Comprising up to 81 herbs now known throughout the world as the ubiquitous Moroccan spice

• Used for its overall warming properties, as a carminative to assist digestion and to increase vitality.

Energy

• Throughout the Middle East, South Asia & Central Asia, black seed (Nigella sativa) is used for its rejuvenating ability and to increase overall vitality. It is taken internally in food or as oil, as mentioned above.

• Goji berry (Lycium barbarum) from NingXia has been found to have the highest levels of immune-stimulating polysaccharides. The Chinese national census recently reported that the number of NingXia residents living more than 100 years exceeds the national average by 400%.

• Recent research shows Goji to be

a wide-spectrum antioxidant, effective in inhibiting inflammation and in inducing an immune response.

• The Goji polysaccharide has protective effects on the pancreas cells that regulate our body's insulin system and also have hepatoprotective activity, meaning that they help protect the liver.

• Fruits of sidr trees have been found to have a very high-energy value. Only dates, figs, raisins, and few other dried fruits have a higher value. The seeds are rich in protein, and the leaves in Calcium, Iron, and Magnesium.

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Energy and Vitality

Maltese Mushroom (Cynomorium

coccineum)

• Known in Saudi Arabia as tarthuth or

“the treasure of drugs”, and sought

after for its ability to increase vitality

and strength (Lebling 2003).

• Recent studies have supported this

traditional use and indicated it is high

in antioxidants, lowers blood pressures,

a significant increase in fertility levels

of men and women when taken orally (Al-

Qawari et al. 2000).

Exercise Turkey’s Riyazat

• Derived from the Arabic tradition of training horses, it is a wellness regimen with a series of postures and movements, similar to yoga.

• Primary purpose is to evacuate waste material, maintain good health, prevent disease and treat ailments.

• Objectives include: improving metabolism, toning individual organs, maintain and improve flexibility, and

relieve anxiety, insomnia and depression.

Indonesia’s & Malaysia’s Silat • Traditional sports of Indonesia derive from rural lifestyles.

Of the many sports and various martial arts, it is Pencak Silat that offers the basis for a wellness-themes movement practice.

• Similar to the Malay Silat, Indonesian legend says that it was created by a woman who watched a tiger fighting a bird or a monkey. She taught the moves to her husband who

created the tradition that is now the martial art.

Documenting the Traditions: Giving them back to Society

ISBN

Showcasing the best of Malaysia’s rich knowledge in promoting health, enhancing beauty and creating vigor throughout a person’s life, Health and Beauty from the Rainforest is a must-have guide to the country’s ancient healing systems.

Indigenous, Malay, Chinese and Indian traditions have all adapted in this diverse rainforest environment to produce a strong culture of natural medicine. This is

encapsulated in ramuan: a mix of ingredients and traditions that results in a bounty of products and approaches for creating balance, good health and radiant beauty.

Support for Orang Asli and

Rainforest Conservation

A portion of the proceeds from this book

will go to support cultural preservation

and development projects for Malaysia’s

indigenous communities as well as the

conservation of the tropical rainforests

that are their time-honored home and

source of life.

Jacket Pictures

Front: This tray of ramuan ingredients—

carrying natural ingredients for maintaining

health, radiance and beauty; equally it

represents Malaysia’s confluence of Asian

cultures and its belief in the healing power

of the rainforest.

Back (clockwise from top left): Malay bride;

black pepper, cumin and fenugreek are used

with fresh ingredients in traditional Indian

healthcare; silat is a Malay martial art; Chinese

tea set; herbal tea is consumed by the Chinese

to maintain balance; ramu tenaga batin, a Malay

herbal mixture to enhance men’s libido; palms

filled with symbolic blossoms welcome the spa

guest, signaling the inner fullness and glow

that will radiate from the Ayurvedic treatment;

ingredients used to make mantah wangi, a Malay

floral elixir.

Home to the world’s oldest and most

biologically diverse tropical forests,

Malaysia is also a mosaic of cultures

that draws on ancient traditions and

bounty from the rainforest as sources

of healthcare and beauty.

Ramuan, the Malay word for a mix

of ingredients, accurately describes the

cornucopia of rainforest plants and

roots known as sources of healing.

Equally, it represents the mix of cultures

themselves—from indigenous ethnic

groups to Malay, Chinese and Indian.

This rich land, with a recorded history

of trade and abundance stretching

back two millennia, was known to

early explorers, traders and scholars as

Suvarnabhumi in Sanskrit and Chersonese

in Greek—both meaning ‘golden land’.

Assembled for the first time in

one single collection—and drawing on

years of work by a team of Malaysian

and international scholars, traditional

healthcare practitioners, and scientists—

are new insights into natural ways of

maintaining health and vigor, radiance

and beauty; all are derived from

Malaysia’s confluence of Asian cultures

and age-old knowledge of the healing

power of her rainforests.

Malay

sian T

raditio

ns o

f Ram

uan

Edition

s Didier

Millet

H

ealth and B

eauty

from

the

Rain

forest

Health and Beautyfrom the Rainforest

Malaysian Traditions of Ramuan

Editor-in-chief

Gerard Bodeker

Editors

Hood Salleh

Ruzy Suliza Hashim

Christof Jaenicke

Joerg Gruenwald

Zurinawati Zainal Abidin

The Future

• As morbidity increases from lifestyle diseases – in the GCC and throughout the Islamic world – culturally familiar approaches to healthy living will need to be identified, researched and recommended.

• The long-standing traditions of countries with strong local health practices are key to yielding what Nature has always offered to humanity – nutrients, medicines, sustainable crops.

• Local culture supports their use.

• Science should support tradition & illuminate both the properties of these products & approaches and the clinical and public health outcomes of their application.

The Vision

• There has not yet been a clear recognition that all of

these lifestyle and wellbeing approaches of the Islamic

world are unified by their relationship with Nature as a

source of health and healing

• Now, drawing on this broad view, there is the potential

to create a unified knowledge base, documenting the

wide array of Wellness Traditions of the Islamic World

Thank

you