Malay medicinal practices and prophetic foods for treating the four types of illnesses most commonly found in the bottom billion population : a preliminary review in the usage of nigella sativa (Black Seed)‎ in Malay manuscripts found in Malaysia

الملخص EN

This paper serves to outline Malay medicinal prescriptions in treating the four common illnesses of the bottom billion namely gastroenteritis, worm infection, Anaemia, and fatigue.

Its main scope will project preliminary findings from 20 unpublished Malay medicinal manuscripts focusing on the black seed as the primary ingredient in health preservation.

The black seed in the Islamic tradition made a significant turning point in the field of medicine as the Prophet Muhammad recommended the usage of black seed as being compatible for all cure except for death.

A search strategy was developed to scan established catalogues of Malay manuscripts.

The physical manuscripts were then systematically hand searched for relevant treatments for the above illnesses.

The relevant prescriptions were captured, transliterated and translated for analysis.

The black seed were one of the dominant ingredients used in Malay medicine as mentioned in the written manuscripts (MSs).