What is Hijama?
Hijama is a term that has been increasingly prevalent in recent years, particularly within the Muslim community. However, it’s certainly not new! In fact, Hijama dates back several thousand years and was practiced as early as 200 AD by some renowned physicians.
Hijama is a form of cupping where blood is extracted from the body by creating an incision in the skin and then placing a cup over it.
Various types of cups can be used, but plastic or glass cups are most commonly employed. These cups are transparent, allowing for clear observation of the amount of blood drawn from the body. Additionally, you can monitor when the blood has coagulated, indicating when the cups can be removed.
What are the Benefits of Hijama?
Hijama is a method aimed at eliminating toxins and waste products from the body. Our bodies are exposed to various forms of pollution on a daily basis, including exhaust fumes, industrial emissions, food additives, radiation from phones and electronics, as well as endogenous waste products generated during bodily processes.
Living a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and getting adequate rest can largely influence the health of your body. However, there are some factors beyond your control, such as the air you breathe and the number of cars in your city. Therefore, it’s wise to occasionally assist the body with a cleansing or rejuvenation process, and Hijama serves as an example of this.
Difference between Cupping and Hijama
Hijama, derived from the Arabic word for “sucking” (حجامة), is also known as “wet cupping” because it involves the extraction of fluid (blood) from the body. In contrast, cupping does not involve this; cups are simply placed on the skin without making an incision, hence it’s termed “dry cupping”.
The purpose of Hijama is to rid the body of toxins and impure blood. Unlike dry cupping, where toxins are not drawn out of the body, Hijama physically removes impurities from the body. Some practitioners argue that Hijama is more effective because it directly eliminates impure blood from the body.
Hijama is not suitable for everyone
Hijama can be beneficial for health, provided the individual is healthy and robust. However, if there are underlying weaknesses, Hijama may have adverse effects. Therefore, there are several contraindications. Hijama is not recommended in the following situations:
Pregnancy
Elderly individuals
Children under 15 years old
Anemia
Individuals undergoing dialysis
Individuals with heart conditions, low blood pressure, or taking blood thinners
Individuals undergoing cancer treatment
Individuals who are sick or weakened
Individuals who have recently donated blood
Individuals using immunosuppressive medication
Do not apply to damaged skin.
What to Avoid After a Hijama Treatment?
After undergoing a Hijama treatment, it is advisable to allow the body to rest. This allows for better rebalancing of the body and enhances the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, it’s wise to avoid consuming products that burden the body or engaging in activities that exert excessive strain on the body.
A good analogy is cleaning a room. After you’ve cleaned your living room, you want to keep it tidy for as long as possible; you wouldn’t immediately mess it up again. The same principle applies to cleansing your body. Guidelines following a Hijama treatment:
Avoid consuming dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt).
Do not drink carbonated or sugary beverages.
It is advisable not to eat red meat within the first 24 hours.
Avoid consuming salt or spicy spices after the treatment.
Avoid heavy labor after a treatment.
Abstain from sexual intercourse for 24 hours after treatment.
Do not shower within the first 24 hours after the treatment.
