A glimpse into the nest - an Islamic perspectives

The honey bee exhibits a combination of individual traits and social co-operation which is unparalleled in the animal kingdom. A glimpse into the nest makes it apparent why honey bees have fascinated us from the earliest days of scientific observations. The infrastructure of the nest, the perfectly uniform and functional comb, is composed of beeswax and is constructed into a repeating series of almost perfect hexagonal cells.

At the individual level, honey bees have not one but three types of colony members: queens, drones and workers, each with their own specialisations and place in honey bee society. The queen reigns over the nest, surrounded by attendants and fed the rich food she requires to perform her few but crucial tasks in the colony. The queen produces powerful pheromones, chemical signals to recipient workers which control many of their behaviours and provide part of the 'social glue' which holds honey bee life together. A highly organised social structure exists within the colony and elaborate 'dances' are used to communicate the location of food sources.

The products of the hive are important to the modern agricultural system. Not only do honey bees provide us with honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly and pollen but they also pollinate a good portion of our crops, including such diverse agricultural plants as fruit trees, oilseeds, small berries and forage crops.

Honey is a remarkable viscous liquid, prepared by the bees from the nectars of various plants. It has occupied a prominent place in traditional medicines throughout world history. The ancient Egyptians, Assyrians, Chinese, Greeks and Romans employed honey for wounds and diseases of the gut. When the Children of Israel were in Egypt or journeying through the desert, their promised goal was a 'land flowing with milk and honey'.

Both the holy Qur'an and Hadith refer to honey as a healer of disease.
'And thy Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in (men's) habitations..... there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for mankind. Verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought'. (Translation of Quran 16:68-69)

In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
'Honey is a remedy for every illness and the Qur'an is a remedy for all illness of the mind, therefore I recommend to you both remedies, the Qur'an and honey.'(Bukhari)

The reader may be surprised to learn that the above quotation from the Qur'an is mentioned in a well known encyclopedia on honey (reference 3).

In recent years, scientific support is beginning to emerge confirming the beneficial effects of honey on certain medical and surgical conditions. These effects may be summarised as follows:

Antibacterial and antifungal properties

These properties of honey are well established. Undiluted honey inhibits the growth of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, certain gut pathogens and fungi such as Candida albicans. At a concentration of 30-50%, honey has been shown to be superior to certain conventional antibiotics in treating urinary tract infections. The exact mechanism of the anti-microbial effect of honey remains obscure. Low pH, osmotic disruption of pathogens and thepresence of bactericidal substances, collectively called inhibine may all play a part.

Anti-diarrhoeal properties

At a concentration of 40%, honey has a bactericidal effect on various gut bacteria known to cause diarrhoea and dysentery such as Salmonella, Shigella, enteropathogenic E. coli and Vibrio cholera. In one study, honey given with oral rehydration fluid was shown to reduce the duration of bacterial diarrhoea in infants and children.

Wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties

Honey is of value in treating burns, infected surgical wounds and decubitus ulcers. Honey is very viscous, enabling it to absorb water from surrounding inflamed tissue. For example, a study in West Africa showed that skin grafting, surgical debridement and even amputation were avoided when local application of honey to wound promoted healing, whereas conventional treatment failed.

In another study, wound healing was accelerated by application of honey in women who had undergone radical vulvectomy for vulval cancer. Also, it has been suggested that honey may be useful in the treatment of chronic, foul smelling ulcers seen in leprosy.

Anti-tussive and expectorant properties

These anti-cough properties of honey are related to its capacity to dilute bronchial secretions and improve the function of the bronchial epithelium.

Nutritional properties

Uncontaminated honey is a healthy, easily digestible, natural and energy rich food. It contains carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, enzymes and vitamins. One tablespoon of honey provides 60 calories and contains 11g of carbohydrates, 1mg of calcium, 0.2mg of iron, 0.lmg of vitamin B and 1mg of vitamin C.

Honey is widely available in most communities but its medical potential remains grossly underutilised. Its mode of action remains incompletely understood and the healing properties of honey in other clinical and laboratory situations requires further evaluation. The miraculous beneficial properties of honey, so beautifully ex-pressed in the holy Qur'an and Sunnah 14 centuries ago expose the reluctance of modern science to accept and exploit this 'traditional remedy'.

Selected References:

Ali A.T.M.M. (1989) The Pharmacological Characterization and the Scientific Basis of the Hidden Miracles of Honey;
Saudi Medical Journal 10(3):177-179
Zumla A. and Lulat A. (1989) Honey- a remedy rediscovered; J Royal Soc Med 82:384-385
Crane E. (1975) Honey: a comprehensive survey;London, Heineman
Winston M.L. (1987) The Biology of the Honey Bee;London, Harvard University Press

Source: http://www.islamicsites.com

Beware of high-intensity workouts as they can be fatal

Death on the treadmill

Dr Akshay Mehta, interventional cardiologist

 Afew years ago, Nikhil Gupta (name changed), a young man in his thirties, did his regular workout on the treadmill at a sports club. After finishing a gruelling exercise routine, he came out of the gym, felt dizzy and collapsed. People there tried to give him cardiac massage and lifted him to a nearby ICCU but he could not be revived and died in the prime of his life. Although a regular exerciser, he was a heavy smoker. His mother had undergone bypass surgery due to multiple blockages in her coronary arteries at age of 48 years (also called premature coronary artery disease).
    How is it that the same exercises that are supposed to help protect the heart actually lead to a heart attack?
CAN PHYSICAL EXERCISE CAUSE A HEART ATTACK?
In young people, (below age 25 to 30 years) the usual reason for sudden death related to vigorous exercise is the rare presence of a structural or electrical defect in the heart since birth or childhood which has gone unnoticed or undetected.
    However in people over 30, it is usually the fatty deposits on the inner lining of coronary arteries which supply blood to heart muscle, that are the cause. During and after vigorous (and especially unaccustomed) exertion, there is a surge in stress hormones like adrenaline and increased shear stress on coronary arteries. This may cause rupture of the surface of these fatty deposits (plaques). Also, vigorous exercise leads to the activation of blood cells called platelets. These can clump together and initiate clot formation at the site of the ruptured plaque in the coronary artery. This clot along with the fatty deposit can cause blockage or occlusion in the coronary artery, which leads to heart attack or sudden death.
WHY RISK THE HUFFING AND PUFFING? BEING A COUCH POTATO SEEMS SAFER
Studies have shown that unlike unaccustomed vigorous exercise, regular moderate level exercise (which gradually may be increased to higher intensity exercise) causes less stimulation of platelets and release of stress hormones. Also it stimulates the clot dissolving (fibrinolytic) property of blood. This benefit outweighs the propensity of platelets to clump during exercise and to cause clotting. Regular exercise also promotes increased vagal tone leading to better electrical stability of the heart so that there is less chance of irregular heart rhythm.

God's Pharmacy

A friend sent this to me. It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners... God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body! God's Pharmacy! Amazing! A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes. A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food. Grapeshang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food. A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. Kidney Beansactually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys. Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarband many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body. Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pearstarget the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them). Figsare full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility. Sweet Potatoeslook like the pancreas and actual ly balance the glycemic index of diabetics. Olivesassist the health and function of the ovaries Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just l ike the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts. Onionslook like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body. SUBJECT: Psalm 46:19 'Be Still and Know that I AM GOD' Angels have walked beside me All my life--and they still do. ********************* This is to all of you who Mean something to me, I pray for your happiness. The Candle Of Love, Hope & Friendship This candle was lit on the 15th of September, 1998. May God richly bless you as you keep this candle burning.

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE...SOMEONE HAD TO PAY FOR IT
If you can read this...thank a teacher.
The Lord will never give you more than you can handle!!

In Times of Difficulty never say  Oh God i have a big problem, instead say Hey Problem i have a big GOD.

Cigarette smoke can disfigure your heart

Washington: Exposure to prolonged cigarette smoke can perk up levels of a stress hormone in the heart that can potentially reshape the left ventricle, according to new research.
    In a Chicago University (Illinois) study using rats as animal model, a five-week exposure to cigarette smoke was associated with the activation of enzymes called mitogen-activated protein kinases that govern cell growth and survival in heart muscle.
    Activation of these enzymes may be a key event in cigarette smoke-induced heart injury, said Mariann Piano, professor of bio-behavioural health science in the CUI College of Nursing, who led the study.
    "Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, one of which is nicotine," Piano said. "However, the effect of nicotine on the initiation and progression of cigarette smoke-mediated cardiovascular events remains controversial."
    To date, small clinical trials of nicotine replacement therapies have not shown increased cardiovascular risk, even in patients with cardiovascular disease, Piano said. This suggested the need to study cigarette smoke as a whole, according to a Chicago release.
    In the new study, rats were exposed either to cigarette smoke or to normal room air. After five weeks, the animals were examined by echocardiography. Heart tissue was examined under the microscope and by Western blot analysis, used to detect specific proteins in tissue samples.
    The results showed exposure to cigarette smoke was associated with significant changes in the shape of the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber, and an increase in the levels of the activated forms of the enzymes in the heart muscle.
    Researchers also found increased levels of norepinephrine, a hormone released when a stressful event causes any of a host of physiological changes, in urine samples taken from the animals. The study was published in the November issue of the European Journal of Heart Failure. IANS

TICKER UNDER STRESS: Exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with the activation of enzymes that govern cell growth and survival in heart muscle

Acidity The Slow and Silent killer

Have you experienced something sour or a burning sensation in the throat, chest or stomach? It's acidity. Here are some easy remedies

There are many names for acidity like hyperacidity or acid dyspepsia or acid reflux or gastroesopohageal reflux disease, or more commonly known as urdhva gata amalpitta in Ayurveda. Acidity refers to a set of symptoms caused by an inequity. Excess secretion of acid by the gastric glands of the stomach gives rise to a condition known as acidity. Remember, ignoring acidity can actually lead you to more serious and complicated problems like peptic ulcers. It is quite a simple problem when it begins, but it can get out of hand easily if not taken seriously.
Causes of acidity:
Stress is one of the main causes of acidity. Smoking and excess alcohol tends to weaken the nervous system. As a result, the stomach lining stops functioning properly. High intake of fatty foods, refined and fibreless foods, overeating and eating hurriedly are few causes that aggravate acidity. Excessive intake of nicotine also leads to acidity. Skipping meals or fasting are also triggers. Other causes of acidity or heartburn are pregnancy, aging, anxiety and insomnia, obesity, bad posture, erratic meal timing and bad eating habit.
    Acidity is a problem that occurs very commonly, so going in for medications every time is not a very good thought. There are some very simple and natural home remedies that can be used to treat and prevent acidity.
Some easy remedies:
Chew a few holy basil (tulsi) leaves to get relief from burning, nausea and gas. You can also have one teaspoon of tulsi juice every morning and before bed.
    Keep a small piece of jaggery (gur) in your mouth and slowly suck it. Repeat it every hour till the acidity subsides.
    Drink coconut water three times a day. It is a common natural remedy for acidity.
    Have plenty of milk and milk products like curd and buttermilk at regular intervals. This will help subside the acidity. One can also drink a glass of cold milk or a cup of vanilla ice cream for relief from heartburn.
    Water is a good neutraliser for acid. Start your day with a glass of lukewarm water with one teaspoon of honey early in the morning.
    Kokum Sherbet with cumin seeds (jeera) is also a great remedy for acidity.
Lifestyle changes to prevent acidity
    Eat your meal atleast three hours before you go to bed. Importantly, do not lie down immediately after your meals. Your stomach digests the food with the help of acid.
    Proper posture is another factor which should be taken care. After the meal, keep your back straight and upright. At night sleep in right posture and right elevation as it will help in acidity control, like keeping head on a high pillow up to five inches. Avoid sleeping on/over your stomach.
    Pregnant women should have small mid meals at regular intervals. To minimise heartburn, women should have solid carbohydrate foods like biscuits, rusks, khakras or a fruit. At the same time avoid rich, fried, strongly flavoured and spiced foods. Eat liquid and solid foods a half hour apart.
    Eat small meals at regular intervals, consume at least five to six meals per day.
    Be fit. Try and maintain your ideal body weight. Overweight people are more prone to heartburn attacks. Avoid very spicy, high sodium containing and deep fried foods like papad, pickles, chilli sauces etc. Do not drink more than two cups of tea or coffee per day. Finally, eat vegetables and fruits rich in fibre.
    Exercise helps in controlling acidity. Morning and evening walk at least for 30 minutes are good for health and keeps acidity under control. Yogic exercises keeps you're overall internal system— digestive and nervous — and external system in good condition.
    A simple and easy lifestyle can keep you healthy and happy. Every disease has its cure, so live a balance and stress-free life. Author Deepshikha Agarwal is a dietician and sports nutritionist

EAT THIS: Fibrous fruits and vegetables and items like holy basil (left) and cold milk (right) are natural remedies to cure acidity and heartburn

The zero-calorie diet

Can you imagine a diet minus any calories?
Sudeshna Chatterjee
presents the perfect platter

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

    HEARD of zero-calorie food? Never thought that it existed? If you believe clinical exercise specialist Namita Jain, water is a zero calorie nutrient. In addition to water, certain diet sodas and herbal teas are also zero in caloric content. But, since they are beverages, they can't take the place of solid food.
    She lets us in on a trick, though. There are foods that call for extra calories when being digested. So, in effect, they become zero-calorie foods. "Keep in mind that they have this negative calorie effect only when consumed without extras like fats or sugar," warns Jain.
    Explains master chef, author and television host Sanjeev Kapoor, "You consume a generous wedge of Mocca Gateaux at a five-star buffet, which is around 400 calories. To digest this, your body requires only about 150 calories. So, about 250 calories are added to your body fat! On the other hand, you munch on a stick of celery which is only five calories. Your body may require 150 calories to digest it, resulting in a net loss of 145 calories." This doesn't mean that the more you consume such foods, the more weight you lose. Anything in excess is harmful, he warns.
    Meat and eggs don't fall under zero-calorie food. "Select those foods which involve a lot of chewing as your body burns more calories than are consumed while chewing, digesting, metabolising and eliminating," explains Dr Mahesh Jukar, applied sports and exercise consultant. So, go for a celery stick, rather than a celery soup. Similarly, opt for whole fruits rather than fruit juices. Select fruits and vegetables that are high on moisture and fibre, maintains Jain.
    "It's a well-established fact that the extra bulk from fibre helps you feel fuller longer, staving off hunger pangs and helping you lose weight," adds Kapoor. Fruits and vegetables taken raw provide essential fibre, moisture, vitamins and minerals to our daily diet. "In fact, vitamins stimulate the tissues to produce enzymes that break down the caloric nutrients of the foods," asserts Kapoor.
    Veteran nutritionist Dr Vijaya Venkat is all for raw food, but against any compartmentalisation and food measures. For her, terms like calories, fat, carbs, etc don't exist. "All of us are products of nature and nurture. Nature remains the same, but nurturing has changed, which includes what we eat," she holds. Dr Venkat recommends one eats fruits and vegetables whenever hungry. Have it raw, flavoured with herbs and spice, add nuts, dried fruits and sprouts if you like, and you have a potent recipe.
    Even those who prefer their meals cooked can make healthy adjustments. In your favourite sandwich, include lettuce leaves and thick tomato fillings. Start with a fruit bowl and salad spread before proceeding onto your main meal. Opt for fruits in your desserts. Before you know it, you may be hovering somewhere close to size zero!
sudeshna.chatterjee@timesgroup.com 

ZERO-CALORIE FOODS
CUCUMBER, CELERY, TOMATO, LETTUCE, ASPARAGUS, GARLIC, SPINACH, ZUCCHINI, LEMON, GRAPEFRUIT, CABBAGE, GOURD, TURNIP, PAPAYA
AND PINEAPPLE

Size zero: Eat your way to health

Homeopathy roots out peptic ulcers

As life gets busier and lifestyles more erratic, peptic ulcers increasingly rear their ugly heads. While duodenal ulcers peak between the age of 20-50 years, gastric ulcers occur most commonly in the age group of 50-60. While men are doubly prone to the former, men and women are equally likely to suffer from the latter. An O-type blood group and an urban lifestyle further predisposes you towards peptic ulcers.
    Ulcers often go undetected and in fact only 20 per cent patients seek medical treatment for this affliction. How can you tell if you have one? Symptoms include a burning pain, felt anywhere from your navel to your breastbone, which may last from a few minutes to many hours and comes and goes for a few days or weeks. It gets worse on an empty stomach, tends to flare up at night and can be temporarily relieved by eating certain foods that buffer stomach acid or an acid-reducing medication. You can help yourself by cutting out smoking, alcohol, dairy, coffee and aerated drinks. Milk, commonly believed to help this condition, actually harms it. Containing lactic acid, it further erodes your stomach lining and aggravates ulcers. Any relief milk provides is deceptive and it should be carefully avoided. Eat a fibre and Vitamin A rich diet including fruits with their skins on.
    Homeopathy offers excellent treatment for peptic ulcers. It not only heals ulcers but also removes the general predisposition towards them.
    MNC executive, Mr Radhakrishnan, was a typical "Type A" personality, highly driven, hard-working, diligent and sensitive. A workaholic, his irregular sleeping and eating habits took a toll on his health and he came to us with peptic ulcers after popping antacids proved ineffective. A detailed case study revealed that his lifestyle was at the root of the problem, so along with medication, Nux Vomica, we prescribed certain behavioural modifications. As a result, he has fully recovered from his condition and is a healthier, happier man today.
Homeopathic remedies for peptic ulcers:
Robinia 6C: Helpful in peptic ulcers with excess acidity. Natrum Phos 6X: Helpful in peptic ulcers with acidity, sour burping and vomiting.

Dr Mukesh Batra

Beware, more tech could lead to diabetes

Mumbai: The mobile phone you cannot live without could be the source of your weight gain. Not surprisingly, then, doctors feel that technical devices like mobile phones — and even television sets — could be contributing to the rising incidence of diabetes.
    "Data we have collated from our research in Mumbai shows that each gizmo owned by a family contributes to an increase of 8 kg in body weight,'' said Shashank Joshi, editor of the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, India's leading medical research journal.
Cellphones — with the comfort factor they offer — are a cause for metabolic syndrome, leading to diabetes.
    "Moreover, people speak on mobiles for hours, which cuts down on their sleep. And emerging research shows that there could a correlation between disturbed sleep patterns and type-2 diabetes,'' Joshi said.
    The connection between gadgets and diabetes is simple: instead of walking up to the television set to change channels, people just flip channels; instead of playing on the field, children play on computers. Such factors affect the body's metabolism and lead to an accumulation of fat which, in turn, could trigger off diabetes.
    So an urban family of four with, say, a television, an air-conditioner, a car and mobile phones could be looking at gaining 32 kgs excess weight that they wouldn't have gathered if they did not have the high-tech devices.
THE CHECK-LIST | Avail of free or discounted health check-ups on World Diabetes Day
    Reliance Wellness has announced a week-long campaign starting November 14 and on till November 20 to promote awareness on diabetes in Mumbai. Customers can get discounts on glucometers, sugarfree cookies, sweeteners and health drinks. Consultation will be provided by ayurvedic doctors as well. Patients can enrol for a special diabetes programe to avail of a host of benefits.
    ADC (Abbott Diabetes Care) is launching a country-wide diabetes education programme on 10 November and it will be on till 14 November; doctors, hospitals and chemists across cities in India will create diabetes awareness. The poor and needy with diabetes — nominated by the hospitals and doctors — will be given free blood glucose meters and strips.
    Jupiter Hospital (Thane), Dalvi Hospital (Gamdevi), Sahastrabudhe Hospital (Panvel) and Hinduja Hospital (Mahim) are having free diabetes education programmes on 14 November.
    Metropolis & Saffola Life Foundation are offering subsidised tests between 14 November and 30 November at selected Metropolis laboratories. Patients can avail of different packages.