Herbal Medicine: Open Access

Hijama, the alternative and useful treatment all over the period

Hijama (cupping) is considered as an important treatment in both ancient and modern period. In this modern period, it is developing and emerging as a medical science named as “Hijamatology”. Hijama is an alternative treatment. It is the process of bloodletting where the bad blood is drawn from the skin by local suction from a small skin incision.

The word "hijama” denotes that its history goes to Arab world although it has a long history from ancient period in China, Egypt, Greek and France. The hijama which means “cupping” is Arabic word and derived from Arabic language. It became very popular in Arabian countries because of the instruction of Prophet Muhammad, so the hijama is a part of Prophetic medicine also. Later it became very popular in different parts of world, now this treatment is increasing in Asia, Europe and Latin America.  So hijama is an alternative treatment and this reality can be prooven historically, practically and scientifically. The hijama has developed until its treatment changed from horn of animal into the glass cup over the period.

Ali Ahamed Padeekuth