As I left my riad the first day in Fes Morocco, I set the intention to discover something unique today. Not 2 minutes into the ancient and beautiful souk, I was drawn down a side alley to a place called Amrani Le Maitre De L' Arôme- Health & Biocometics®. My limited French knew it was some aroma therapy.
As I entered the old doors all my senses were alive sights, sounds and smells. I felt as if I had entered the alchemists den. Herbs, oils, perfumes, coloured bottles and teas neatly displayed everywhere. The staff were warm and spoke some English.
Out comes the owner, Mohammad, a groovy, well groomed man in his early 50’s. We instantly connected and for the next couple of hours we drank herbal tea, talked about life, healing and therapies. Mohammed is a skilled medical practitioner and knew his stuff. I was confident to try the next weird thing on my journey. Wet cupping!!
First, he questions you about you life, desires and habits so he can create a fragrance just for you. Although I loved the process, I don’t like perfume so he couldn’t nail it for me. He did instead give me a new name. Bushra. It is an Arabic feminine given name meaning "good news", "omen", or “perfect”.
Wet cupping, also known as Hijama therapy, is a form of alternative medicine that has been used for centuries in many cultures, including traditional Chinese, Arabic, and Turkish medicine. It says in the Koran that people should do this twice a year to detox the body. Mohammad believes it should be done every 90-100 days to release the stagnant red blood cells and promote collagen production.
This ancient practice involves first dry cupping to see where stagnation is and then they remove cups and make small incisions on the skin using a sterilized razor or scalpel, and the patient is usually numbed with a topical anesthetic before the procedure. Then the cups are reapplied on the skin to allow for the release of toxins, stagnant blood and promote healing.
As you can see from the image, the place directly where my issue was had the most blood. The use of cutting in wet cupping is not universally accepted and is not commonly used in Western medicine. Some critics argue that it can lead to infection, scarring, and other complications.
However, proponents of wet cupping with cutting claim that it can be effective in removing deep-seated toxins and promoting more intense healing. As you can see from the picture the tiny cuts from the day before. They were gone in two days with no scabs or scars and not the usual bruising associated with dry cupping. Also stiffness and annoying click was gone. What I loved is they used apple cider vinegar on the micro cuts to sterilize it after.
I did this 3 days in a row, feeling lighter and freer all over. I was tempted to stay in Fes and study with Mohammad. Maybe one day!
It's essential to consult with a qualified practitioner who has experience with wet cupping and cutting to discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with this treatment.
There are several theories about how wet cupping works, including:
Removing stagnation: Believed to remove stagnation and blockages in the body's energy pathways, or meridians, which can lead to various health problems.
Draining toxins: The suction created by the cup is thought to draw out toxins, waste products, and excess fluids from the body, which can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Increasing blood flow: Wet cupping may help to increase blood flow to specific areas of the body, which can promote healing and reduce pain.
Stimulating lymphatic drainage: The suction created by wet cupping may help to stimulate lymphatic drainage, which can aid in the removal of toxins and waste products from the body.
Releasing tension: Wet cupping can be used to release tension in the muscles and connective tissue, which can help to relieve pain and promote relaxation.
Stimulating collagen production: Some research suggests that wet cupping may stimulate collagen production, which can help to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
And yes it is available through Chiropractors and Chinese Medicine practitioners in Sydney. Just find one that sterilisers cups properly.
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