Wet Cupping Therapy, a Forgotten Traditional Practice: Literature Review
Keywords:
wet cupping, routine practice, Thai traditional medicineAbstract
Wet cupping therapy or Hijamah, is a traditional health promoting and healing practice that has been practicing in the Middle East for centuries. Considered as a traditional practice or Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it has been widely used for health promotion and pain relief. However, its popularity has declined significantly, leading to referred as a forgotten Sunnah. In Thailand, Hijamah is popular among Muslims residing in the southern border provinces, passed down from those who lived in the Middle East and from Muslim communities in Malaysia and Indonesia. However, a lack of up-todate academic information, its connection to religious principles, and evidence-based medical practice may lead to risks of substandard practices and increased likelihood of adverse events. This article aims to comprehensively review and synthesize academic literature from international databases over the past 10 years (2015-2024), focusing on the practices, healing mechanisms, clinical benefits, and adverse effects of Hijamah. This information will be highly beneficial for healthcare professionals, academics, and interested individuals in applying it to promote health and provide safe and standardized health care and treatment to the public.
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