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An 'Attar' spells the power of herbs
Not only does herbal medicine compete with brand pharmaceuticals today, it is also transforming the entire industry, according to Saleh, an 'Attar' working at a Mubarakiya store. Attar is a Kuwaiti word for a natural remedies healer. "Many brand pharmaceuticals carried by pharmacies today have natural ingredients. People today are turning back to nature, and this is forcing pharmaceutical companies to cater to this trend," he explains. Originally hailing from Yemen, Saleh has been working in the industry of herbal remedies for almost three decades.
As it was recently Ramadan, Saleh says that best-selling item was palm water extract, known colloquially as "mai leggah." Diluted with cool water, the mixture is said to quench thirst and sustain a person for hours without water. This regional super-water, usually imported from Bahrain, is made from the essence of palm tree pollen sacks and is believed to have a variety of health benefits.
It is prescribed to relieve stomach aches, relax the body from stress, quench thirst during the summer, and help fight insomnia. It helps relieve colon irritations and menstruation discomfort," he says. The water is also believed to be a potent aphrodisiac that increases sexual stamina.
For headaches, Saleh prescribes a scalp mask that is to be applied and kept on the scalp for 12 hours. "This is a guaranteed method that absorbs all the pain from the scalp. It is very cooling and soothing for migraines and headaches," he says. The recipe for the scalp mask is a mixture of powders that include henna, fenugreek, nutmeg flower seed, parsley and orange oil. "A paste is made by mixing water with the powder until it reaches a thick consistency.
After that, it is best to apply olive oil to the hair and scalp. Olive oil is easily absorbed into the scalp, and it makes a good base for a scalp mask. It allows the active ingredients in the mask to enter," Saleh explains. After the mask is applied, one is advised to wrap the head with a cloth. "It is better to put this on and sleep or to keep it on during the day. Of course you don't want to go out with your head wrapped like that," he quips.
The mixture costs KD 3, a price that Saleh believes is competitive with mainstream brand pharmaceuticals. "If you go to the pharmacy you will get three different kinds of pills, one for the fever, one for the pain, and one to help you sleep better. This alternative medicine does the job of all three. It relaxes you, soothes the pain and cools the fever," he says enthusiastically.
Another super-herb, Myrrh, is believed to help reduce blood glucose levels. Today, it is used widely by diabetics in Kuwait. It is also used for menopause-related issues, rheumatism and arthritis. A mouth wash can also be made by mixing Myrrh with water to relieve mouth sores and bleeding of gums. "Myrrh has strong and effective antibiotic properties. I always tell my clients to forget about the boxes of expensive antibiotics they buy from private clinics and instead recommend they buy Myrrh," said Saleh.
Camel grass
Another medicinal plant, available not just in Saleh's store but also growing wild in deserts and backyards, is camel grass. The shrub, usually fed to camels and cattle, is a plant whose medicinal value, Saleh says, was discovered by the Bedouins roaming the Arabian Peninsula. Its medicinal properties vary and it is used to treat different kinds of illness.
A concoction of camel grass can flush the kidney of stones and impurities, explains Saleh. "You need two cups of grass to be boiled in water for at least five hours. When the drink is ready, you strain the grass and drink the water first thing in the morning for an entire week. It is a guaranteed remedy for all kidney problems," Saleh the Mubarakiya Attar explains.
Source: Kuwait Times