A new perspective on medicine

Society is increasingly turning to pharmaceuticals as a means of relieving pain, treating infections and diseases; however, many of these synthetic drugs have a long list of side effects. What the world does not know is the power of natural remedies. Therefore, health coverage is not universal and this precipitates the need for holistic treatments. Near Eastern medicine has largely been discarded in favor of pharmaceuticals, discarding millennia of medical knowledge in the process. What can be cured with crushed clovers is now replaced with ibuprofen. This is one of the biggest flaws in our “universal” health care system. I developed a medical journal over spring break last year, and have been expanding it ever since, adding holistic remedies that are used in place of synthetic drugs to treat a variety of ailments. This would not only restore nearly forgotten medical knowledge, but would also encourage a peaceful relationship between Muslims and other Near Eastern communities during a time when such peaceful relationships are vital.

How long are we going to remain ignorant of these things? Yes, perhaps drugs and over-the-counter drugs are much more efficient and work faster, but what about our appreciation for medical literature and the equivalent of a millennium of medical knowledge? Should they be discarded? Discarded?

This is something that we as a society have to work towards, step by step.

Recently, I put this to use. A few days ago, on January 6, 2018, at approximately 9 p.m., my father indicated that he was experiencing some discomfort in his right eye. Curious, I took a high resolution photo of the eye in question, in a slightly supine position. I analyzed the image and discovered irregular growth / inflammation on the right upper eyelid. I remember studying and reading about various eye infections and irregular growths in some of my classes at school, such as conjunctivitis (“pink eye”), myasthenia gravis, and blepharitis. I concluded that the symptoms my father was experiencing were characteristic of what is commonly called a “stye.” In the stye, the eyelid is usually slightly reddened, almost as if it is trying to develop into minor blepharitis. I asked myself and my dad: “Maybe this stye was the cause of the lack of sleep? I asked this because some blood vessels in his right eye were slightly bulging.” No, “she replied. I read and researched stye online. Just before my mom got up to go to the pharmacy to buy some OTC for her, I read that stye can be cured with ONE SIMPLE TECHNIQUE: HEAT.

I told my dad to apply heat (the best option) so that the inflammation in the idea and any bacteria in there can dissociate (if that’s the right word). He held a hot, soaked towel OVER his right eye (note: he didn’t necessarily have to TOUCH his eye with the towel). He held it for 6-8 minutes and repeated this until the pain subsided. The next day, he performed the same procedure. After just two days of routinely practicing the same procedure (WITHOUT MEDICATION), my father’s eyelid returned to its normal color and shape.

So there you have it.

Certain things CAN be cured simply with holistic natural remedies. We like to think that doctors, doctors, pharmacists, etc. they are “in charge” of Medicine. Not necessarily. Medicine can start at home, with us. One step at a time.