Kurdish Lore And Herbal Cures
January 23rd, 2007 by Anne
Publication: Kurdish Media
Author: Aram Eissa
Date: 23 January, 2007
Over the years, Kurds have turned to nature for cures to a wide range of ailments. From the consumption of locally-grown herbs to aromatherapy, many Kurds still rely on these tried-tested-and-true remedies.
Like all other nations, Kurds have dilligently tried to find different cures and therapies for different harmful diseases afflicting its people.
Yaseen Ali, a Kurdish botanist and chemist in Amman, Jordan, says: “Kurds use both psychotherapy and botanic therapy. Often they use the two methods simultaneously because they believe that for the patients to believe in and trust the herbal therapy, they have to be prepared psychologically.”
For instance, in the past, when a person was infected with whooping cough, they took him to a place named “Piri Koka”, which means “Cough Wiseman”, which is the temple of a holy man. The temple is located in a mountainous region, with passages through which the patient has to go, causing his diaphragm to rise and fall. At the same time his morale would improve causing the immunity system to be more effective.
There is a well-known physical medical condition among the Kurds called “Nawk Kawtin” (the navel failure). They believe that the navel is the center of the nervous system and that it connects the foetus to the mother.
In reality, the ‘disease’ is only a colon spasm. This affliction is easily treatable by massage if administered by a bonafide massage expert. Massages are used in Kurdish baths and are greatly appreciated and recognized as therapeutic for various diseases specially for any infectious diseases that deteriorate. The Kurds knew that odours (smells), also referred to as “aromatherapy” have direct effect on health, especially children’s health. They have used this method as a natural therapy for a long time.
There is also a belief that the burning of natural herbs is another form of therapy for another disease common with children, called “Ba bon Kautin” with certain syndromes. Kurdistan’s natural resources in herbs is considered to have not been tampered with. For instance, camomille is available in all parts of Iraq but of different varieties. The Kurdish Camomille is known for its bitterness. It is this quality which makes it suitable for the preparation and use in certain kinds of medicines. The other camomilles are sweet and cannot be used by pharmacists for the preparation of pharmaceuticals. In Kurdistan, you can also find a lot of Gum Trees. The nectar of these trees is used in producing several kinds of drugs which are used for the treatment of various infections resulting from burns and gangrene. There are also other natural elements available in Kurdistan that are used for other purposes than medicinal, such as for the preparation of cosmetics. “Spiaw”, which is made of “lead acid”, or “Darru” (lime) is used for hair removal. Kurdistan is famous for its walnut tree. The leaves of the walnut tree is used to produce cosmetic items, such as lipstick, and as a whitening agent in tooth paste. Another very well known product in Kurdistan is honey.
Owing to its pure nature, Kurdistan’s honey is one of the best in the world, especially the honey collected from the mountains, used in healing heavy diseases. While generally appreciated for its entertainment value, Kurds also used music as a kind of psychotherapy. Listening to the “Rast” melody is helpful in easing certain psychological problems, particularly stress. There is also a ritual in which a certain kind of confection called “Samani”. Samani is prepared from wheat buds and consumed orally as a medicine. It is unfortunate that there is no college in Kurdistan that offers studies for pharmaceutical studies, which would also include the study of botany. “I hope this situation will change in the near future,” added Ali.
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