In the Sahihan it is narrated that the Prophet said:
“Cupping and marine costus are among your best remedies; and do not torture your children by pressing their uvula to cure tonsillitis.”
In the Sunon and the Musnad (by Imam Ahmad) it is narrated that Jabir said, “The Messenger of Allah came to ‘Ayesha and saw a boy with a bleeding nose and said, “What is this? ‘ They said, “He is suffering from tonsillitis or a headache.’ He said: “Woe unto you! Do not kill your children. Let the mother whose child is suffering from tonsillitis or headache scrub Indian costus (aloes) with water and then administer it to the child through the nose.’
When ‘Ayesha ordered that the prescription be followed, the boy was cured.”
[Ahmad, Al-Hakim, Abu Ya’la and Al-Kazzar].
Abu ‘Ubaidah said, “Tonsillitis, according to Abu ‘Ubaidah, is a blood-related throat irritation. ” It was said that tonsillitis is an ulcer that appears between the ear and the throat that especially afflicts young boys.
Administering scrubbed aloes through the nose helps against tonsillitis, which is essentially composed of blood-related phlegm that accumulates in the bodies of young boys. Costus or Aloes tighten the uvula and pull it up to its proper place. Aloes help against other hot ailments. The author of Al-Qanoon stated that costus, Yemeni alum, and marjoram seeds help against tonsillitis.
The marine costus mentioned in the Hadith is the Indian aloes, particularly the one whitish in color, and it is sweet and has many benefits. Before, people used to treat their children who suffered from tonsillitis by pressing the uvula and sometimes affixing an object to the uvula. The Prophet “ disallowed this practice and guided the people to what is better, more beneficial, and easier for the afflicted children.
Administering the medicine through the nose involves either simple or compound remedies that are ground and dried. Then, when warranted, the medication is administered through the nose of the afflicted person while he lay on his back and while his shoulders are elevated so that the head lay back. In this position, the medication would reach the head and extract the disease by sneezing.
The Prophet has praised using this method when there is a need that warrants it. Further, Abu Dawood mentioned in his Sunon that the Prophet used this method himself.
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