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The Medical Benefits of Camel Urine

Al-Fulani

New Member
It has long been a practice of 'alternative medicine' in the Middle East to consume camel urine as a remedy for various ailments. The milk of camels has also been consumed for the same reason, but this practice has been faced with much less scrutiny in popular discourse surrounding Islam. The practice, at least among the Muslims specifically, has its basis in a narrative (ḥadīth) of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) mentioned in several sources wherein he prescribes this practice to his followers due to its perceived medical benefits (see al-Bukhārī, 76, no. 9; al-Tirmiḍī, 28, no. 2177; Ibn Māja, 31, no. 3632; al-Nasāʾī, 37, no. 59; Muslim, 28, no. 13). This is also recorded by Ibn Isḥāq in his Sīra (see the section dealing with the expedition of Kurz b. Jābir). In addition, the Qur'ān speaks of the miraculous nature of the camel and lists it as one of the signs of Allāh (ﷻ): “Then do they not look at the camels — how they are created?” (88:17). Ibn Kathir (raḥimahullāh) comments on this verse in his Tafsīr, saying, “Indeed it is an amazing creation [...] It is eaten, benefit is derived from its hair, and its milk is drunk.” The renowned Muslim polymath Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) also prescribed camel urine for the treatment of dandruff and diseases of the nose and spleen (al-Qānūn, Book II, Discourse 2, 6:51).

We are thus left with the question of whether there is any real basis for the belief that camel urine has any use as a medical treatment. If we go simply by an Islamic standard, then the answer is in the affirmative, since the report is authentic and recorded in multiple classical sources. On the basis of chain (isnād) criticism alone, it is undoubtable that this idea has been authentically attributed to the Prophet, whose word we cannot doubt as Muslims, but is there there any scientific evidence for this statement? Well, let's look at what the medical literature says:
  • In a study done on rats, camel urine has been demonstrated to have gastroprotective and ulcer-healing properties. In this study, it was also deemed as safe and non-toxic (Hu, et. al. 2017).
  • An analysis of camel urine has shown it to "possess antiplatelet activity and anti-cancer activity" not demonstrated in other types of urine (Ahamad, et. al. 2017).
  • In another study, it has demonstrated “a potential to be further developed as an anticancer agent for cancer treatment,” particularly for the treatment of breast cancer (Romli, et. al. 2017).
  • One study has shown that “many of the camel urinary proteins could be involved in various stress and immune responses, and some may have antimicrobial activities” (Alhaider, et. al. 2012).
  • Another study concluded that camel urine “has specific and efficient anti-cancer and potent immune-modulator properties” (Al-Yousef, et. al. 2012).
  • Research has also shown camel urine to possess antiplatelet activity (Alhaidar, et. al. 2011). One of the uses of aspirin is as an antiplatelet drug.
  • Testing has demonstrated that “all types of camel, but not bovine, urines differentially inhibited the induction of Cyp1a1 gene expression by TCDD, the most potent Cyp1a1 inducer and known carcinogenic chemical” (Alhaider, et. al. 2011), confirming the traditional belief in the ability of camel urine to treat cancer.
  • One study showed that “Camel urine treatment was found to cause a significant cytotoxic effect in the bone marrow cells of mice. This cytotoxicity at higher doses was comparable with that of standard drug cyclophosphamide (CP). However, unlike CP, the camel urine treatment failed to induce any clastogenicity” (al-Harbi, et. al. 1996). This shows the potential of camel urine as a treatment for cancer. CP is a drug used for treating cancer (by killing cancer cells) due to its cytotoxic properties. However, unlike CP, camel urine does not induce the disruption or breakage of chromosomes (clastogenicity).
  • The results of another study indicated that “camel urine may contain bioactive agents capable of preventing CCL4-induced hepatic and pancreatic islet lesions” (Al Neyadi, et. al 2012).
So there you have it. Now people can stop wasting their breath claiming that this ḥadīth is "evidence" that Islam is untrue.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
So there you have it. Now people can stop wasting their breath claiming that this ḥadīth is "evidence" that Islam is untrue.
I don't think anyone here has mentioned it. I've never heard any claims about it.
 

Flame

Beware
YAGpXPd.png
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I don't think anyone here has mentioned it. I've never heard any claims about it.
When I was at university, all students in Education, potential teachers, had to give a talk on the topic of their choosing as proof of oral fluency. One guy who had traveled extensively, chose camel urine as his topic. That was both the first and last time I heard about it. But if I recall correctly, he mentioned several of the same points as above. He also garnered a few laughs from the few in attendance, which was a single evaluator, and other students like me who had to give talks. I can't remember what my topic was.
 

Valjean

Veteran Member
Premium Member
What active ingredients have been isolated? What is their mechanism of action? Why are they exclusively confined to camels?
 

Al-Fulani

New Member
What active ingredients have been isolated? What is their mechanism of action? Why are they exclusively confined to camels?
Al-Yousef, et. al. investigate these specific questions in their article (full version here). Camel urine is very unique in its composition, and the results of its use in urine therapy has been compared to other forms of urine, particularly bovine, with camel urine being unique in its healing effects. Camel urine contains a high amount of creatine and creatinine, has no ammonia and very little urea, and is basic rather than acidic.
"Camel urine showed cytotoxicity against various, but not all, human cancer cell lines, with only marginal effect on non-tumorigenic epithelial and normal fibroblast cells epithelial and fibroblast cells. Interestingly, 216 mg/ml of lyophilized CU inhibited cell proliferation and triggered more than 80% of apoptosis in different cancer cells, including breast carcinomas and medulloblastomas. Apoptosis was induced in these cells through the intrinsic pathway via Bcl-2 decrease. Furthermore, CU down-regulated the cancer-promoting proteins survivin, β-catenin and cyclin D1 and increased the level of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21. In addition, we have shown that CU has no cytotoxic effect against peripheral blood mononuclear cells and has strong immuno-inducer activity through inducing IFN-γ and inhibiting the Th2 cytokines IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10."
 

Salvador

RF's Swedenborgian
It has long been a practice of 'alternative medicine' in the Middle East to consume camel urine as a remedy for various ailments. The milk of camels has also been consumed for the same reason, but this practice has been faced with much less scrutiny in popular discourse surrounding Islam. The practice, at least among the Muslims specifically, has its basis in a narrative (ḥadīth) of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) mentioned in several sources wherein he prescribes this practice to his followers due to its perceived medical benefits (see al-Bukhārī, 76, no. 9; al-Tirmiḍī, 28, no. 2177; Ibn Māja, 31, no. 3632; al-Nasāʾī, 37, no. 59; Muslim, 28, no. 13). This is also recorded by Ibn Isḥāq in his Sīra (see the section dealing with the expedition of Kurz b. Jābir). In addition, the Qur'ān speaks of the miraculous nature of the camel and lists it as one of the signs of Allāh (ﷻ): “Then do they not look at the camels — how they are created?” (88:17). Ibn Kathir (raḥimahullāh) comments on this verse in his Tafsīr, saying, “Indeed it is an amazing creation [...] It is eaten, benefit is derived from its hair, and its milk is drunk.” The renowned Muslim polymath Ibn Sīnā (Avicenna) also prescribed camel urine for the treatment of dandruff and diseases of the nose and spleen (al-Qānūn, Book II, Discourse 2, 6:51).

We are thus left with the question of whether there is any real basis for the belief that camel urine has any use as a medical treatment. If we go simply by an Islamic standard, then the answer is in the affirmative, since the report is authentic and recorded in multiple classical sources. On the basis of chain (isnād) criticism alone, it is undoubtable that this idea has been authentically attributed to the Prophet, whose word we cannot doubt as Muslims, but is there there any scientific evidence for this statement? Well, let's look at what the medical literature says:
  • In a study done on rats, camel urine has been demonstrated to have gastroprotective and ulcer-healing properties. In this study, it was also deemed as safe and non-toxic (Hu, et. al. 2017).
  • An analysis of camel urine has shown it to "possess antiplatelet activity and anti-cancer activity" not demonstrated in other types of urine (Ahamad, et. al. 2017).
  • In another study, it has demonstrated “a potential to be further developed as an anticancer agent for cancer treatment,” particularly for the treatment of breast cancer (Romli, et. al. 2017).
  • One study has shown that “many of the camel urinary proteins could be involved in various stress and immune responses, and some may have antimicrobial activities” (Alhaider, et. al. 2012).
  • Another study concluded that camel urine “has specific and efficient anti-cancer and potent immune-modulator properties” (Al-Yousef, et. al. 2012).
  • Research has also shown camel urine to possess antiplatelet activity (Alhaidar, et. al. 2011). One of the uses of aspirin is as an antiplatelet drug.
  • Testing has demonstrated that “all types of camel, but not bovine, urines differentially inhibited the induction of Cyp1a1 gene expression by TCDD, the most potent Cyp1a1 inducer and known carcinogenic chemical” (Alhaider, et. al. 2011), confirming the traditional belief in the ability of camel urine to treat cancer.
  • One study showed that “Camel urine treatment was found to cause a significant cytotoxic effect in the bone marrow cells of mice. This cytotoxicity at higher doses was comparable with that of standard drug cyclophosphamide (CP). However, unlike CP, the camel urine treatment failed to induce any clastogenicity” (al-Harbi, et. al. 1996). This shows the potential of camel urine as a treatment for cancer. CP is a drug used for treating cancer (by killing cancer cells) due to its cytotoxic properties. However, unlike CP, camel urine does not induce the disruption or breakage of chromosomes (clastogenicity).
  • The results of another study indicated that “camel urine may contain bioactive agents capable of preventing CCL4-induced hepatic and pancreatic islet lesions” (Al Neyadi, et. al 2012).
So there you have it. Now people can stop wasting their breath claiming that this ḥadīth is "evidence" that Islam is untrue.

Stop Drinking Camel Urine, World Health Organization Says

MERS-CoV | People at Increased Risk for MERS | Coronavirus | CDC


"MERS-CoV has been found in some camels, and some MERS patients have reported contact with camels. However, we do not know exactly how people become infected with MERS-CoV.

The World Health Organization has posted a general precaution for anyone visiting farms, markets, barns, or other places where animals are present. Travelers should practice general hygiene measures, including regular handwashing before and after touching animals, and avoiding contact with sick animals. Travelers should also avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. For more information, see WHO’s Frequently Asked Questions on MERS-CoV. (Should people avoid contact with camels or camel products? Is it safe to visit farms, markets, or camel fairs?)External

The World Health Organization considers certain groups to be at high risk for severe MERS. These groups include people with diabetes, kidney failure, or chronic lung disease, and people who have weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization recommends that these groups take additional precautions:

  • Avoid contact with camels
  • Do not drink raw camel milk or raw camel urine
  • Do not eat undercooked meat, particularly camel meat....."
 

Al-Fulani

New Member
Stop Drinking Camel Urine, World Health Organization Says

MERS-CoV | People at Increased Risk for MERS | Coronavirus | CDC


"MERS-CoV has been found in some camels, and some MERS patients have reported contact with camels. However, we do not know exactly how people become infected with MERS-CoV.

The World Health Organization has posted a general precaution for anyone visiting farms, markets, barns, or other places where animals are present. Travelers should practice general hygiene measures, including regular handwashing before and after touching animals, and avoiding contact with sick animals. Travelers should also avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products. For more information, see WHO’s Frequently Asked Questions on MERS-CoV. (Should people avoid contact with camels or camel products? Is it safe to visit farms, markets, or camel fairs?)External

The World Health Organization considers certain groups to be at high risk for severe MERS. These groups include people with diabetes, kidney failure, or chronic lung disease, and people who have weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization recommends that these groups take additional precautions:

  • Avoid contact with camels
  • Do not drink raw camel milk or raw camel urine
  • Do not eat undercooked meat, particularly camel meat....."
Notice how it says "raw camel urine." Camel urine is supposed to be boiled, and this has been done since ancient times. Just because some don't do it and face the consequences doesn't mean the practice in itself is unsafe.
 

Samana Johann

Restricted by request
It's not proper, householder @Al-Fulani, to lead religious talks holding a weapon, how ever well meant and not aware. Maybe householder likes to search for a more pleasing avatar as nobody would respect someone entering a holly place with a gun. One who gives fear receives such and will not have peace inwardly and outwardly. So maybe householder likes to give the gift a no fear to others, although it's his freedom of choice of cause.
Btw. Urine, cow or own, is indeed a good old ancient medicine, used and allowed for ascetics but this days often not so good because people take a lot of chemicals and poisons with their food.
 
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Samana Johann

Restricted by request
Both are killer, called for such or at least approved such, those who kill, order or approve, for this or that side, for what ever reason, are never praised by the wise and religious people, people of integrity, householder. Nothing can justify basic wrong doings and a real conqueror, fighter tries to fight his own greed, hatred and delusion. 1000 won wars are not equal a man conquering himself and having come to peace for himself.

A person carries weapons, uses them, is a weak person and seemingly has much trust in his God, Sublime and good.

It would be good, for his own benefit, if householder would leave weapons outside holly places, would not enter other places with weapons in his thoughts, speech and appearing, yet it is his own choice of merits or demerits. May he give it a try, voluntary, since not all people here are holly and would not fear such.

Even if not able, people would still try to welcome him, yet he would earn great loose if under non-Violante people appearing in such ways.
 
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Samana Johann

Restricted by request
I'm sure you'll be banned soon, thank goodness.
That is not different to his approach, wishing that someone gets killed is like killing by one self (banning from existence in a cyber space is not different at all), saying, order such, when another follows is not only the heavy kamma but also a break of precepts, the most basically, householder Frankenstein. Neither is approve, of depriving from existence, nor such to order nor such to do by deeds in any way related to goodness and never praised by the Gods and wise.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
That is not different to his approach, wishing that someone gets killed is like killing by one self (banning from existence in a cyber space is not different at all), saying, order such, when another follows is not only the heavy kamma but also a break of precepts, the most basically, householder Frankenstein. Neither is approve, of depriving from existence, nor such to order nor such to do by deeds in any way related to goodness and never praised by the Gods and wise.
What drugs are you on? o_O
 
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