Salvadora Persica: Nature's Toothbrush

Salvadora Persica, also known as the toothbrush tree, is native to the Middle Eastern/South Asian and African regions.

For centuries, people have used its branches or its roots as basically a toothbrush to promote good oral hygiene. The plant itself is known for its antibacterial and anti-septic properties, and high fluoride content. It also boasts a number of other properties which has influenced the World Health Organization recommending its use to promote oral hygiene, where other means are not available!

In the Islamic tradition, branches/roots of this tree when used as an oral cleaning instrument is called a miswak or siwak. The miswak has been encouraged as a means to clean ones teeth and purify one's mouth (a conventional toothbrush can accomplish the same, but the former is described as better. In fact, some studies have proven as much). When chewed, the head of the miswak with its bristles becomes a pretty snazzy toothbrush alternative!

Growing up, we have tried preparing the twig for use, but it always seemed a little tedious...

Having searched for alternatives to chemical-based cleaning products such as toothpaste (which the miswak does not require!) I am surprised that this didn’t come to mind sooner. Needless to say, I will be picking up a miswak from my nearest ethnic grocer as soon as I can.

Here's to liberating ourselves and ending our chemical dependency!

WTF???: My dream garden!

The Headline:

Illegal Front Yard Garden: Canadian Couple's Kitchen Garden Targeted by Authorities

The Lowlights:

Josée Landry and Michel Beauchamp, homeowners in Quebec have a front-yard veggie garden, but will be forced to remove 70% of it in order to comply with city by-laws. CBC is reporting that if they do not comply, they may face fines up to $300 per day! Yikes!

An extraordinary sight! I would be honoured to have such a garden in my neighbourhood

.

My Thoughts:

Holy hell, this can't be real! I can't think of a single way this garden could be seen to be offensive or problematic for neighbours or the city. Maybe I am missing something, but I don't understand the logic behind discouraging such innovative and sustainable practices among residents. If there are practical concerns, I'm sure these homeowners would be willing to work around reasonable limitations. But could there even be any?

This outdated bylaw illustrates that while we recklessly push our environment to its edge, those in power  have especially failed to grasp the seriousness of the impending environmental disaster we face as humans.

If you have been contemplating starting your own garden, I say go for it! There is nothing quite like eating food that you have participated in producing naturally and organically...in sharp and evident contrast to chemical laden produce you're used to purchasing at your local grocers. You will notice the difference, in  taste and size!

#enoughsaid #selfsufficiency

The Small Things, IX

I hope I do not receive any flak for posting this shocking video under this recurring post, but I really felt that this would be the most appropriate location for its sharing- particularly as it relates to nature.

Assuming your reaction was similar to mine upon viewing this video, I feel I should perhaps make extra clear why I find some beauty in this...

It may sound scary, but snake venom can be very useful to humans. In a study published last year in the Journal Of Biological Chemistry researchers noted important medical uses of the sinister stuff.

"Snake venom contains a vast number of toxins that target proteins in platelets," Yonchol Shin, an associate professor at Kogakuin University who specializes in snake toxins told ScienceDaily. "Some of those toxins prevent platelets from clotting, which can lead to profuse bleeding in snake bite victims. Others, like the one we've focused this research on, potently activate platelets, which results in blood clots. Identification of the molecular targets of many of these toxins has made an enormous contribution to our understanding of platelet activation and related diseases."

There is something to learn, everywhere.

Calculation or Moonsighting? How about both!

Each year, we seem to have the same discussion as a family and community over which method to accept/choose in determining when to start the holy month of Ramadan.

To be clear, it is not my intention to argue the merits of one method over the other. In fact, I’m here to do the opposite.

I often hear, in discussions a perspective that there is a ‘crisis of authority’ in the pan-Muslim community, owing to the lack of central figure or leader to guide and assist people in interpreting matters of faith. I’m not entirely sure this is something to be concerned about…but that is a conversation for another day.

On a smaller scale, people look at issues such as moonsighting and the disagreement that stems from the various methodologies, and describe the array of choices in a negative light. They consider the multiple start dates as a form of disunity in local communities.

What ends up creating more disunity, is the finger-pointing, and arguments that stem from one or both parties putting each other's perspectives down. This is especially problematic considering both the Fiqh Council and ‘naked-eye’ moonsighting methods both appear to have sound bases and are all accepted by many learned figures in every community.

The truth is, people are always going to be inclined towards different interpretations about anything and everything. And this variation in interpretation is something that not only is a healthy and acceptable part of our tradition, but it is something that makes human societies interesting and dynamic! So long as we do not differ on some of the fundamentals (five pillars, oneness of God, etc), and heck, even if we do, I think it behooves us to accept the interpretive differences between people.

It seems unnatural almost to assume that billions, millions, hundreds of thousands of people or more than two people really would just be able to see eye to eye on anything! There can be consensus, without doubt, but people should always be free to align with their conscience and in doing so, should not think invalid alternative ways of doing things.

Just want to end with an insanely relevant verse from the Quran...
To you be your Way, and to me mine 109: 6

Bottom line, a little acceptance and respect for our differences can go a long way. Let’s all do our part and embrace the true Islamic spirit. 

Benefits of fasting

Last year, in my 'Ramadan 1432' blogpost, I shared my perspective on the personal spiritual benefits of fasting. This year, I thought I would try something a bit different to usher in this special month, and have been busy reading up on the physiological/health benefits of fasting!

While I don't fast specifically for health reasons, as I realize some people do, I do get a sense of becoming physiologically recentred after the month. Certainly if there are any health benefits that result as a by-product of fasting, its an absolute bonus!

To quickly synthesize the articles I recently read, it looks as though intermittent fasting has been credited with:

• encouraging weight loss
• allowing the body to access fat deposits in the body, which results in embedded toxins (ex. bad cholesterol, etc) and waste being broken down and flushed out of the system (at a higher incidence)
• giving your digestive track a bit of a break since it is used to functioning all day, everyday, and redirecting energy towards your immune system
• protecting your brain from degenerative illnesses

Whether any of the above actually occurs or not, I think most people that practice intermittent fasting would testify to its seeming health benefits!

Just want to close off with a saying from the blessed Prophet (pbuh)... "The children of Adam fill no vessel worse than their stomach. Sufficient for him is a few morsels to keep his back straight. If he must eat more, then a third should be for his food, a third for his drink, and a third left for air." (Sunan al-Tirmidhî).

The Small Things, VIII

Heavens, been out of the blogosphere for too long...I had begun composing this more than a month ago.

Tragedy struck this past spring...in our backyard after the year's heaviest rainfall :-( The victim: one of our apple trees.

This tree has never yielded healthy apples. We kind of saw this coming as there were major drainage issues around the tree, but I was in complete disbelief when my eyes confirmed what my siblings had shared with me about its fate.

I really feel that nature and our environment greatly parallels the human experience and so this loss had aroused some thought about the fragility of the human spirit. I mean no matter how seemingly secure, we can surely be dislodged without much...notice. The best protection from dislodgement: building deep, sustainable roots. #freelove

#somethingtothinkabout #theonlycertaintyinlifeisdeath