Prophetic medicine: talbina

Nowadays a healthy lifestyle is becoming more and more popular both with the old and the young. People understand that the greatest wealth on the earth is one’s health. And it is true, the healthier we are, the better we feel, and the better we feel, the longer we live.

Unfortunately, we still know less about the things the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) advised us to do and which are of great benefit to us and to our health. One of such treasures left to us by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is Talbina that is cooked of barley.

Barley belongs to the grass family and it is the fourth most important cereal crop after wheat, maize and rice and is among the top ten crop plants in the world.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) used to recommend Talbina for the sick and for those who have suffered by the death of a person. She said: “I heard that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Talbina gives rest to a patient’s heart and makes it active and helps relieve your pain and sorrow.’ (Narrated by al-Bukhari).

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “I encourage you to use that which is disliked but beneficial (Talbina) for by the One whose hand Muhammad’s soul is in, it cleans the stomach of one of you, just as dirt is cleaned from the face with water.” (Narrated by Hakim).

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “You should eat the beneficial thing even if it is unpleasant to eat (Talbina).”

If any member of the family of the Messenger of Allah was ill, the pot would continue to stay on the fire until one of two things, either the person recovered or died. (Narrated by Ibn Majah).

Recipe

Talbina is made by adding 1-2 tablespoons barley flour (it must be 100% whole barley flour) to a cup and a half of water or milk. Place on a slow fire for 10-15 minutes (optional: add yogurt and sweetened with honey).

Talbina mixture can then put it in the blender with fresh or frozen fruit or ground flax seed and be mixed together to make a delicious Talbina smoothie.

Drink at least one cup daily.