“Would you exchange that which is better for that which is lower?” (Qur'an 2;61) HADITH In the Sahihain it is stated that the Messenger of Allah said: “The virtue of Aisha as compared to other women, is like the virtue of Tharid as compared to the rest of the foods.” Tharid is a dish made of bread, which is the best food, and meat, which is the best flavoring. When these two are combined, no other food can surpass them. I will discuss this under two different heads. First the wheat and then the meat, which are major ingredient of Tharid. Wheat Wheat is one of the most common cereals and is also one of the most valuable. A good source of energy. With its essential coating of bran, vitamins and minerals, it is an excellent health-building food. Food value of wheat Wheat has become the principal cereal, being more widely used for the making of bread than any other cereal because of the quality and quantity of its characteristic protein, called gluten. As it is gluten that makes bread dough stick together and gives it the ability to retain gas, the higher the proportion of gluten in flour, the better for making leavened bread. Natural benefits and curative properties of wheat The wheat, as produced by nature, contains several medicinal virtues. Every part of the whole wheat grain supplies elements needed by the human body. Starch and gluten in wheat provide heat and energy; the inner bran coats, phosphates and other mineral salts; the outer bran, the much-needed roughag, ethe indigestible portion which helps easy movement of bowels; the germ, vitamins B and E; and protein of wheat helps build and repair muscular tissue. The wheat germ, which is removed in the process of refining, is also rich in an essential vitamin E, the lack of which can lead to heart disease. The loss of vitamins and minerals in the refined wheat flour has led to widespread prevalence of constipation and other digestive disturbances and nutritional disorders. The whole wheat, which includes bran and wheat germ, therefore, provides protection against diseases such as constipation, ischaemic heart disease, disease of the colon called diverticulum, appendicitis, obesity and diabetes. Dr. Wigmore utilizes the chlorophyll present in wheat grass as a body cleanser, rebuilder and neutralizer of toxins. Wheat grass juice furnishes the body with vital nourishment, providing extra energy to the body. This juice contains nearly 70 per cent of chlorophyll. 1t is also a rich source of vitamin A, B and C. It also contains minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur, cobalt and zinc. Chlorophyll, one of the main constituents of wheat grass is very beneficial for the body, and due to its high vitamins and mineral contents it purifies blood. This property is used by the body to cleanse and rebuild itself. By drinking this juice regularly, toxins can be neutralized. It thus helps maintain good health. Wheat protein, which comprises up to eight per cent of the grain, has a special benefit as it has eight of the essential amino acids in delicately balanced proportions. A complete internal rejuvenation takes place when wheat protein is metabolized into health-building amino acids. These amino acids build resilient muscles which come back to their original form after stretching and bending, healthy skin and hair and clearer eyesight and nourish the heart and lungs, tendons and ligaments, brain, nervous system and glandular network. The B-complex vitamins, especially thiamin, riboflavin and niacin offered by natural brown wheat promote youthful energy and nourishment to skin and blood vessels. An abundance of minerals in natural brown wheat help nourish the hormonal system, heal wounds and regulate blood pressure. Wheat also offers iron to enrich the bloodstream and phosphorus and potassium to maintain internal water balance along with other nutrients. Wheat thus helps restore internal harmony. Tooth disorders: Wheat is valuable in the prevention and cure of pyorrhea. It takes time to eat wheat and as it is generally taken with other foods, it compels the chewing of other foods too. This not only provides the needed exercise to the teeth and gum but also a great aid to digestion. Wheat grass juice acts as an excellent mouth wash for sore throats and pyorrhea. It also prevents tooth decay and tooth aches. It is also beneficial to chew wheat grass which draws out toxins from the gums and checks bacterial growth. Skin diseases: It has been scientifically proven that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of harmful bacteria. Wheat grass therapy can be effectively used for skin diseases and ulcerated wounds as by retarding bacterial action, it promotes cell activity and normal re-growth. Circulatory disorders: The chlorophyll content present in wheat grass enhances heart and lung functions. It helps increase capillary activity while reducing toxemia or blood poisoning. Due to increased iron content in the blood and hemoglobin, lungs function better. Oxygenation improves and the effect of carbon-dioxide is minimized. It is for this reason that wheat grass juice is prescribed for circulatory disorders. Properties and benefits of wheat Wheat contains mineral salts, catalytic elements, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorine, sulfur, silicon, zinc, manganese, cobalt, copper, iodide, arsenic, vitamins A, B, E, K, D, PP, and ferments. Thus, wheat is the base for nourishment. Treatments Cornered wheat is administered in states of demineralization, anemia, asthenia, growth, rachitis, tuberculosis, pregnancy, breast-feeding. It is also recommended in sterility. Germinated wheat contains 2 or 3 times more Vitamin B than common wheat. This way, the germinated seeds are used for treating gastro-intestinal and cardiovascular maladies, skin diseases or hepatic and breathing affections. It also has the property of balancing the body weight. A 3-6 month diet is used for more serious diseases and for people suffering from demineralization. The daily dosage is 3-6 tablespoons for adults and 1-3 for children, administered before meals. For babies, powdered wheat seeds are administered, added to their milk bottle, mixed with other cereals, milk, honey, fruit juices or food. Wheat is also useful in fighting cholesterol, because it contains fat essential acids which prevent the forming on blood vessels' walls. As an alternative method it is also good against cancer. to be continued – The writer can be contacted on [email protected] Refined Wheat Flour Food Value Moisture 13.3% Calcium 23mg Protein 11.0% Phosphorus 12.1 mg Fat 0.9% Iron 2.5 mg Fibre 0.3% Small amount of Vitamin B Complex Minerals 0.6% Calorific Value 345 Carbohydrates 73.9% Values per 100 gm's edible portion __
