Bekam

Bekam (or bloodletting) is the withdrawal of often small quantities of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness and disease. In English, Bekam is known as cupping.

in Arabic, Bekam is called “Al-Hijamah”.  The word “hijamah” derived its origin from the word “al-hajm” which carries the meaning: to suck, to absorb, or to extract.  The practice of Bekam was practised by the Prophet Muhammad PBUH (570-635 AD) as evidenced in the following hadis: 

Rasullullah S.A.W. said," Jibrail Alaisalam repeatedly emphasized upon me to resort to cupping to the extent that I feared that cupping will be made compulsory."

(Jamul' Warsaii p.179).

Rasulullah S.A.W.  praised a person who performs cupping, saying it removes blood, lightens the back and sharpens the eyesight.

(Jamul Warsaai p. 179).

Anas ibn Maalik r.a. reported that the Messenger S.A.W. said “Indeed the best of remedies that you have is hijamah (cupping)”.

(Saheeh Al-Bukhari [5371])

Abu Hurairah r.a. reported that the Messenger S.A.W. said “If there was something excellent to be used as a remedy, then it is hijamah (cupping)”

(Saheeh Sunan abi Dawud [3857])

(Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah[3476])

In modern-day Bekam, the practitioner first determines the part of the body that requires cupping - for migraine, it is the scalp.  Punctures are then made to the scalp (after shaving the pre-determined site).  A cup is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by introducing suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place.  In olden days, buffalo horns are used for suction; in fact, this is still being used today in Malaysia.  After blood is removed, the area is cleansed using antiseptic swabs.  Disposable needles are used to puncture the skin.

Toxic blood of a migraine sufferer

Is Bekam painful?  Although many people claim it is painless, I found it painful when the skin is punctured (due to my lower pain level tolerance?).  When suction is introduced, it is also painful but after a while, the pain subsides.

Proponents of Bekam claim it is effective in its curative use in eliminating pain, restoring physical functions and in preventing as well as healing of diseases. Frequent usage will eventually remove the excess humours (blood, phlegm and bile) and toxic waste present in the blood vessels and muscles under the skin. In short, if given time, this method can slowly “overhaul” the whole body generating optimum health, thus contributing to a true preventive health care programmed which we are badly in need of.

Use of Clay in Traditional Malay Cosmetics

ENGLISH VERSION


Bedak Sejuk

The benefits of "bedak sejuk" (literal: cool powder) are well-known amongst ladies in the Malay community. This decades-old traditional beauty preparation is used even today, mainly amongst the older generation as the younger ladies are now opting for brand names that are widely advertised using well-known personalities as models.  What the ads don't tell consumers is that these models have flawless skin that are air-brushed and they probably don't use the products being advertised!

Bedak sejuk is made from rice which is soaked with fragrant local flowers such bunga Melor (scientific name: Jasminum Sambac), Cempaka (scientific name: Mickelia Champaka) and Tanjung (scientific name: Mimusops Elengi).  The rice is then ground to a paste and mixed with “daun pandan” (scientific name :Pandanus amaryllifolius) to enhance it’s fragrance.  Bedak sejuk is used in place of face powder and also as facial mask.

Clay

Clay is one very unique type of soil with extraordinarily rich physico-chemical properties that endow it to be one of the best detoxifier/purifier and versatile natural healing product available.  Clay has been used for beauty and medicinal purposes for thousands of years.  Today, clay is used in cosmetic preparations such as masks and scrubs and to cure acne.  It is known, among other things, to absorb oils and toxin from the face, close open pores and hydrate the skin.

Bedak Sejuk Made from Clay

An alternative available today is Bedak Sejuk Tabloq which made from 100% clay.  It is processed using mineral water and no other ingredients are added.  Listed below are some of the benefits of Bedak Sejuk Tabloq:

• Cools the skin.
• Rids skin of acne and acne scars.
• Absorbs facial oils and impurities, removes dead cells.
• Closes open pores.
• Whitens skin.
• Tightens skin.
• Moisturises skin.
• Treats nappy rash in babies.
• Cools the skin when exposed to chicken pox and prevents scarring.
• Suitable for all types of skin diseases, (scabies, shingles and eczema)
• Removes underarm hair.
• Reduces heat due to skin burns.
• Prevents stretch marks for pregnant ladies.
• Dries up wounds.
• Relieves breast pain for lactating mothers.
• Cleanses female genitals after menstruation
• Ideal for body scrubs.
• Fever (to be taken orally)
• Gastric Disorder (to be taken orally
• Diarrhoea (To be taken orally)

The above is based on the feedback and testimonials from users who have used the product, since the 1970s.

This writer was given Bedak Sejuk Tabloq to try and although sceptical at first, I decided to do so.  After using it for 2 nights as facial mask before sleeping, I could see visible results (see photo). 

I am an avid golfer and spend a lot of time in the sun.  As a consquence, inspite of regular facials using modern cosmetics, my skin tone is uneven but with Bedak Sejuk Tabloq my skin feels smoother and the tone is now even.  After washing off the mask in the morning, my skin feels hydrated and the open pores are less visible.  I use make-up minimally and my make-up regime consists of only cleanser, moisturiser, sunblock and loose powder.

I am now planning to use Bedak Sejuk Tabloq as a body scrub and see the results for myself.  I will provide an update on the results!    


VERSI BAHASA MALAYSIA
Ramai di antara kita tahu akan manfaat bedak sejuk yang telah digunakan oleh nenek moyang kita untuk beberapa generasi.  Saya ingin memperkenalkan kepada anda bedak sejuk yang diperbuat daripada tanah liat dari negara kita yang tidak mengandungi sebarang bahan kimia tambahan.  Tanah liat telah digunakan berkurun lamanya sebagai ramuan kecantikan untuk penjagaan kulit dan juga untuk tujuan perubatan.  Produk ini adalah Bedak Sejuk Tabloq (BST).  

Antara manfaat BST adalah:

• Menyejukkan kulit.
• Menghilangkan jerawat dan parut jerawat.
• Menyerap minyak muka dan kekotoran, membuang sel-sel mati.
• Menutup liang terbuka.
• Memutihkan kulit.
• Menegangkan kulit.
• Melembapkan kulit.
• Merawat ruam lampin pada bayi.
• Menyejukkan kulit apabila terdedah kepada cacar air dan mencegah parut.
• Sesuai untuk semua jenis penyakit kulit, (kudis, kayap dan ekzema)
• Membuang bulu ketiak.
• Mengurangkan haba kerana kulit terbakar.
• Mencegah tanda-tanda perut yang merekah untuk wanita hamil.
• Mengeringkan luka.
• Melegakan kesakitan payudara bagi ibu-ibu menyusu.
• Membersihkan kemaluan wanita selepas haid
• Sesuai untuk scrub badan (lulur)
• Demam *
• Gangguan gastrik * 
• Cirit-birit *

*Kacau dalam air suam dan diminum

Khasiat-khasiat di atas adalah berdasarkan maklumbalas dan testimoni daripada pengguna-pengguna yang telah menggunakan produk ini, sejak tahun 1970-an.

Penulis telah diberikan bedak Sejuk Tabloq untuk mencuba dan walaupun ragu-ragu pada mulanya, saya memutuskan untuk berbuat demikian. Selepas menggunakannya selama 2 malam sebagai masker sebelum tidur, saya dapat melihat hasil yang ketara (lihat gambar di atas).

Saya seorang yang gemar bermain golf dan menghabiskan banyak masa di bawah sinar matahari. Walaupun saya selalu membuat facial menggunakan kosmetik moden, namun kulit saya kelihatan bertompok-tompok.  Alhamdullillah, dengan bedak Sejuk Tabloq, kulit saya terasa licin dan tidak lagi bertompok-tompok. 

Saya kini merancang untuk menggunakan Bedak Sejuk Tabloq untuk lulur badan dan lihat  sendiri bagaimana hasilnya. Saya akan share dalam blog ini!