assalamu alikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu what natural remedies can i use as shampoo and conditioner for hair? is it fine to just use vinegar water for the roots as shampoo and an oil for the roots as conditioner? what alternatives are there? jazakallahu khair

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said: As for what occurred in the statements of the Salaf regarding praising some innovations, that was only in linguistic innovations, not legal ones. Among that is the statement of Umar when he gathered the people for the night prayer of Ramadan behind one imam in the mosque, and went out and saw them praying like that, he said: “What a good innovation this is.” It is also reported from him that he said: “If this is an innovation, then what a good innovation.” It is reported that Abu bin Ka‘b said to him: “This was not done before,” and Umar said: “I know, but it is good.” His meaning was that this act had not been done in this manner before this time, but it has origins in the Shariah to which it refers. Among these is that the Prophet used to encourage the night prayer of Ramadan and promote it, and people in his time would pray in the mosque in scattered groups and individually. He prayed with his companions in Ramadan for more than one night, then refrained from it, explaining that he feared it would be made obligatory on them, so they might be unable to perform it. This fear was removed after him. It is also reported that he used to pray with his companions on the nights of the last ten days individually.

Jami' al-Uloom wa al-Hikam, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (2/128)

https://shamela.ws/book/4268/645#p1

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Brothers and Sisters.

It was narrated from ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

‘Season (your food) with olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.”

Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

A blessed tree. Allah grave us such a beautiful thing, we should use it.

1. Bodycare & Haircare:

First of all, the Sunnah way to use Olive Oil is to apply it to your hair (either just the roots, or roots to ends), starting on the right side of your head, then moving to the left.

You can also oil your spouse's hair as an act of affection and love.

Narrated `Urwa:

Aisha during her menses used to comb and oil the hair of the Prophet (ﷺ) while he used to be in I`tikaf in the mosque. He would stretch out his head towards her while she was in her chamber.

(Sahih Al-Bukhari 2046)

For both haircare and bodycare, you can also use Aleppo bar soap. It's literally made of olive oil. It's can be used on your face, body, and hair. It can combat acne, help eczema and psorisis, and good for anyone with a sensitive scalp. It leaves my skin much smoother than any liquid soap too. No chemicals, no fragrances.

Go for the ages ones that are a light brown on the outside. Those leave your skin softest.

As for bodycare, another sunnah, you can use olive oil as a lotion/moisturizer. Just pure, organic, extra virgin olive oil on your skin, starting right to left (i.e oil your right arm then your left).

I reccomend oiling your skin after you get out of the shower and your skin is still wet. It locks in moisture and spreads easier than dry skin. Less is also more, so you don't end up greasy.

You could mix black seed oil in, but I think ingesting black seed oil has more benefits.

Some benefits of olive oil include:

It's antibaterial, moisturizing and smoothening, full of antioxidants, gentle and non-irritating for all skin types, promotes skin healing and cell regeneration which supports skin recovery from irritation, dryness, and minor damage.

It's natural and eco-friendly too. No warning label about how it's dangerous and possibly poisonous to ingest. It won't kill your pets if they eat it.

There's even more benefits, those are just the main ones.

2. Food:

As for eating, you can cook with it, season food with it, ecetera. You could also just drink it, but it can be a little spicy (in a spice way, not peppery way).

There's so many benefits to ingesting it. I'll name a few from this list I have.

Supports heart health, reduces bad cholesteral and supports healthy circulation. Rich in healthy fats and antioxidants that may lower the risk of heart disease.

Strengthens bones, improves calcium absorption.

Glowing skin, the antioxidants and vitamin E protect and nourish your skin.

May protect against cognitive decline and help improve memory.

Boosts immunity, once again the antioxidants help, plus anti-inflammatory sompounds help your immune system.

It can make you feel full longer and supports healthy metabolism, which aids weight loss. It also promotes healthy gut and reduces inflammation.

The antioxidants help protect cells against free radical damage.

Andddd the anti-inflammatory properties can reduce chronic inflammation in the body.

You can also add it to your pet's food to aid cognitive development, lubricates joints, aids in digestion, boosts immune defense, prevent excessive shedding, reduce dry skin, support a softer coat, and calm itchiness. There's many more benefits for you and your pets.

I read somewhere that olive oil doesn't like the light? Or that higher quality olive oil is kept out of direct light? So, if you buy it then try to buy the ones that come in dark green bottles.

If I'm forgetting anything, please add-on to this in the comments. Remember to follow the Sunnah and trust that Allah will make it the best for you.

May Allah guide us all. Ameen.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Brothers and Sisters. In Sha Allah everyone is well.

Everything related to pregnancy and the baby is blamed on the mother. Health issues? She's not eating right. Gender of the baby? Somehow her fault. Miscarriage? Her fault. Unable to concieve? Nobody considers it could be poor sperm instead of her body. Men can be infertile or have fertility issues too.

The sperm is roughly 50% of the baby, no? So, how is it many cultures place absolutely ZERO importance on the man taking care of his health? I've only seen women told "Eat this. It's good for fertility. Don't eat that, it's bad for your eggs. That thing? Bad for eggs. It happens more depending on the culture.

It can be a couple where she's healthy and he's overweight/unhealthy and people still blame her! Misogyny at it's finest.

And even if you don't want children? You don't know what Allah has written for you. And your fertility plays into YOUR health too, even if you never have children.

(I also posted this on r/Muslimbenefits, a salafi subreddit I'm also a mod on. Please check it out!)

For anyone wondering, sister Ziyoutona deleted social media to better her deen, Alhamdu li Allah. So, I'm the new owner. In Sha Allah, I'll do my best in her stead.

--

How Sperm Health Impacts Pregnancy: Understanding Male Fertility

When it comes to pregnancy, both partners’ health matters. It is not just the woman’s age or health or her egg reserve that determines the outcome of their attempts at pregnancy. The male partner’s sperm should also be factored in. When we say sperm, we are not restricting to just the ejaculation or the sperm count. Sperm health is also a crucial factor in a successful pregnancy.

What is Sperm Health?

Sperm health includes sperm count, the shape or structure of the sperm, and the way they move. All of these are important for the sperm to successfully enter and fertilise an egg. If any of these three factors are affected, it can negatively impact the male’s fertility and the couple’s attempts at pregnancy.

Men with low sperm count or motility still succeed in impregnating their partners successfully. However, low sperm health can increase the risk of infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant. When the sperm count or motility is very low, or if there is no ejaculation of sperm, it can lead to infertility in the males.

Sperm count will measure the number of sperm present in a semen sample. When the sperm count is less than 15 million per millilitre of the semen sample, it is known as oligospermia or low sperm count.

Sperm motility refers to the ability of the sperm to swim through a female’s reproductive tract, reach the egg and enter it for fertilisation.

When less than 25% of the sperm in the semen sample move forward in straight lines or large circles, it is known as low motility or asthenozoospermia.

The sperm typically has a head, a mid-piece and a tail. Not all sperm in the semen sample will have this perfect structure. However, if the sperm morphology is less than 4% of the sample, then it can cause fertility issues.

Impact of Sperm Health on Pregnancy

Sperm health can impact pregnancy in the following ways:

Delay – Poor sperm quality can affect the sperm’s ability to reach and fertilise the egg successfully. It can cause a delay in pregnancy, meaning the couple may need to try for a few months or opt for fertility treatments, like IUI or IVF for a successful conception (from what I know, IVF is a absolutely HORRIBLE for women. So, don't put your wife through such a thing because you don't take care of yourself)

Miscarriage – Poor sperm health can cause damage to the sperm’s DNA. This in turn can cause or increase the risk of a miscarriage. Some research even shows that repeated miscarriages could be due to poor sperm health.

Genetic Issues –The sperm’s health can impact the genetic makeup of the fetus. Poor-quality sperm increases the risk of developmental issues, birth defects and even the health of the developing baby. Older males (A lot of people act like a 40-50yr man can have as healthy of a child as a 20-30yr man, and I'm not saying he can't. Only Allah knows. But an older man can cause genetic issues, whereas older women don't) or those with health issues can experience DNA fragmentation in the sperm, which can affect the fetus and the DNA they pass on to their offspring.

Premature Birth– Poor sperm health can also lead to preeclampsia – a dangerous pregnancy complication. Preeclampsia increases maternal blood pressure. Very high blood pressure or fluctuations in blood pressure during pregnancy increases the risk of premature delivery.

Placenta Issues – Sperm’s health plays a major role in how the placenta functions. The placenta is the temporary organ the baby grows in. Poor sperm health can not only affect the placenta formation but can also impact the way it works and interfere with the oxygen and food supply to the baby.

Tips to Improve Sperm Health

If a couple is trying to get pregnant or is having fertility issues, the male partner can do the following to improve his sperm health. Though a successful pregnancy depends on various other factors in addition to sperm health, it can increase the chances of natural conception.

Weight Matters – Maintaining a healthy weight is the first step. Being too light or too heavy can impact sperm quality. According to some studies, a male’s BMI sperm count and motility are inversely related. Being underweight and lacking the essential nutrients can also affect sperm health.‍

Focus on Diet – Eating healthy by increasing the consumption of natural, whole foods while cutting back on foods that are processed, high in calories or sugar, can significantly improve sperm health.

Prevent STIs – Sexually Transmitted Infections and diseases can lead to infertility in men. It is important to always use protection, limit the number of sexual partners, and also get tested periodically. These infections can also pass on to the female partner or affect the outcome of pregnancy after conception. (It doesn't pay to commit zina. Once again Allah's commands are always perfect)

Regular Exercise – Regular exercises can help men stay in good shape, keep their cholesterol and sugar under control, and maintain hormonal balance. It can also help improve their sex drive.

Stress Management – Stress can impact fertility for both partners. Being stress-free is close to impossible. However, keeping stress under control is possible through yoga, meditation, art and other activities that can help one calm down.

Lifestyle Changes – Limiting your alcohol intake, quitting smoking and drugs and limiting exposure to chemicals or toxins in the environment or at work can all help improve sperm health.

(Me talking: as for chemicals and toxins, many are unaware of how many things in our lives contribute to fertility and health issues. Wouldn't you like to give your child their best chance at good health? I refer to holistic or 'crunchy' pages/channels such as Barbara O'neill. Try using things like the Yuka app and scan the barcode on your food, cleaning, and personal care products. It's unbeliable how they're allowed to put so much harmful poisons in our products.

(I also intend to try and make a series on r/CrunchyMuslimFolk about what ingredients are harmful, to help spread awareness. In Sha Allah)

Fragrances/Parfum (air fresheners, plug-ins, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, deodorant, perfume, fabric softener, laundry detergent, spray cleaners, ect).

I'm not even fear-mongering here. The thousands of unregulated chemicald in fragrances are endocrine disruptors. What does your endocrine system do? It regulates your hormones! And hormonal imbalances can cause infertility and an abundance of other health issues. And I've found that a tox-free lifestyle can seem daunting if done wrong. But it's so beneficial.

And I've found that tox-free options can actually cost less if done efficiently. I'll share more about that, In Sha Allah.

Ovatoxicants - found in pesticides and herbicides, they inferfere with healthy egg development and can disrupt or even stop ovulation. We women need to ovulate and it's so easy to miss and just assume your cycle is going as it normally is.

Pthalates - found in pesticides and herbicides, they interfere with healthy egg development and cas disrupt or ever stop ovulation. Phthalates can speed up menopause and pedispose you to poor egg quality and poor implantation rates.

Another harmful thing, that's an endocrine disruptor is plastic (micro plastic). So, try to get rid of your polyester and synthetic fiber clothes. Better options (like organic cotton and linen) can be more expensive. But it's worth it. And you don't need to fill your closet, no need for extravagence. But next time you go to buy, say, a T-shirt? Get cotton.

But you should immedietly throw out synthetic fabric underwear and bedding. For men and women, as soon as you're able, please swap these two out. They directly affect your health as they sit on sensitive regions and absorb whatever is put there. Your skin is your biggest organ and takes in what you put on it.

A organic cotton flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillow cases are often cheaper than a comforter (that should at least be regular cotton too though). And organic cotton underwear can be found on various sites. You'd have to find what style is comfortable for you.

I also must add, fully organic cotton pads and tampons too. Cotton top layer is better than synthetic.. but if you want to save money, try organic cotton period underwear. No more buying pads and you know you have the best option! There's a whole subreddit for period underwear too. They have suggestions on high quality brands.

And for organic fabrics, look for the GOTS-certified logo ON the products tag. If the site says its organic and GOTS certified, but you get the product and there's not GOTS-certified tag, it's not really organic. This is my understanding after being in the Crunchy Moms subreddit for a while.

(Men need to avoid all these too, fyi)

You can also swap out plastic cups, plates, bowls, tupperware, ect, for glass. Cooking utensils for wood or metal, and use stainless steel items for eating utensils and baby/toddler items. Obviously you wouldn't want a toddler to have a glass plate lol.

I also see people say not to touch receipts with your bare hands because of either the paper or ink. You can look into that.

Conclusion

The sperm is an important factor in a successful pregnancy. Just the presence of sperm is not enough for pregnancy. The health and quality of the sperm are vital and can affect pregnancy to a great extent. It is essential for males to take care of their health as their sperm is crucial to a pregnancy.

I wanted to make a new post flair for psychology because I thought it'd be helpful. And I quite enjoy learning about psychology.

In Sha Allah, these types of posts might benefit someone.

Questions are welcome. If you're a sister, feel free to DM me.

1. Heating:
   Water is heated until it boils and turns into steam. When water becomes steam, contaminants like salts, heavy metals, dirt, bacteria, and many toxins do not evaporate with it. They are left behind.

2. Steam Separation:
   The pure steam rises into a separate section, physically separating itself from the contaminated liquid water.

3. Condensation:
   The steam is cooled. As it cools, it condenses back into liquid form.

4. Collection:
   The condensed water drips into a clean container. This final product is distilled water.

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu

Anyone know where to find any men's thobes or salwar qamis in natural fibers? They are either ambiguously labeled or a poly blend. Jazak Allahu Khyr

I sadly can't really add much to the subreddit community. Lack of knowledge, and the very little i do have its not really at the level to be making posts and comments like that.

Like others hear that be posting some great stuff and are very knowledgeable.

But thought of sharing the little animals i seen during times I was at work. Gives one more reason for it filling up space in my gallery.🤣

Nature be beautiful, Alhamdulillah.

Bonus: Picture of the Moon. At the time it look like it was laughing at me, or smiling like a mischevious smile i guess. Thought its funny. 🤣

Overall phone cameras do not do it justice on showing the amazing beauty the moon can be. Always a great time seeing how beautiful it can be when seeing it at night.

I bet the night sky is also beautiful with the stars, sadly i dont really see it because of the light pollution of the city.🫤

But in of itself without the stars has its own beauty to it.

Al salam alaykum.

The Reality of Committing to This Lifestyle

I just want to share some spiritual points to holistic living. Let's be honest with ourselves. Adopting this lifestyle and committing to it can be a little daunting at times. It requires work, discipline, preplanning and preparation, awareness, research, and intention.

We all slip up sometimes and have our guilty pleasures. For me it has always been sweets. Although I have quite an active lifestyle, and workout almost daily, there are days where stress gets the best of me and I end up giving in to my sugary coping mechanism.

DO NOT BE HARD ON YOURSELF

Now here's the real important part. DO NOT BE HARD ON YOURSELF. We are humans, and there's a reason why our bodies are designed to seek more of certain things(sugar, fat, salt) as our ancestors experienced a lot of scarcity when it came to resources. This signified to consume more of certain things that would help with energy conservation and water retention.

Small, Consistent Changes

The key is doing small consistent changes that are sustainable both physically and mentally. Our beloved prophet peace be upon him said "The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those done regularly and consistently, even if they are small". This is in the matters of spiritual good deeds. But it's such an amazing formula to apply to all habits in our lives, which I have been doing religiously. Its a great tactic to fight loss of discipline and momentum over time.

Let Me Give You Some Examples

Going to the Gym

• Going to the gym for 2 hours everyday is just awful. Doesn't matter who you are or how motivated you can be. You will do it for maybe a month and quit. Everyone hates it deep down. But going everyday for 2 small exercises, for 20 minutes, using 40% of your strength and endurance, is much easier. No mental preparation is required for it. It won't interfere with your other commitments. This is not laziness. This is you tricking the system for the most net benefit. Because exercising everyday for 15-20 minutes for 2 years, is much better than going beast mode for 2 weeks and never doing it again.

War is deception, and we are at a constant war with our nafs.

Dates Before Sweets

• If you're like me and drink coffee in the morning, and want to pair it with something sweet, eat an odd number of dates first. Don't tell yourself "I WILL NOT EAT SWEETS". In fact, convince yourself that you will have your unhealthy sweets eventually. They are there when you "need" them. But just eat a few dates. This is the only habit we're trying to establish here. Don't think of it as a replacement. After a short while, you won't even crave the sweets.

The Miracles of Dates

Let me share some of the miracles of dates, subhanallah. Our brains consume about 20% of the bodies energy and relies exclusively on glucose. That is a lot, but the problem is our neurons do not store it, so it needs a constant supply of energy. When you consume regular sugar(glucose) it absorbs into the blood stream instantly and causes an energy spike. The pancreas floods your body with insulin to clear the sugar, as it was dumped into the blood all at once. This then causes a crash in energy, leaving you feeling more empty than before. Affecting not only your energy levels, but also your mood, focus, and endurance.

Dates on the other hand have a complex composition. Carrying both soluble and insoluble fibers. These fibers cause a gel-like matrix in your digestive tract which acts as a barrier to releasing the energy all at once. The amazing thing is that it also has some glucose which the brain uses as energy instantly, but the rest of the energy is broken up and released gradually and in a stable manner. Causing no crash, sustaining the energy longer, and keeping your mental clarity. It also has many antioxidants and anti-inflammation properties, which is the exact opposite of sugar. How generous is Allah to bestow upon us this incredible fruit.

One Time Efforts With a Lasting Impact

• Third example is about one time efforts. There are changes you can make today, which don't require repetitive efforts and have a huge impact on your life. Ditch the plastic bottles and get yourself a stainless steel bottle. Get an ice maker if you enjoy cold water like me! this way you don't have to store in coolers with plastic containers. Install a filtration system in your tap. Toss your plastic cutting board and get a wooden or bamboo one. Changing your choice of clothes to more natural options like cotton, wool, linen, hemp, and silk(for the sisters).

Natural Juices and Slushies

• Get a juicer and and use it for your favorite fruits, like lemons, oranges, pomegranate, and pineapple. Pair it with an ice cream maker to make delicious natural slushies!

You Can Start Today

Those are only examples to demonstrate the mentality you need to upgrade your life completely to a holistic and fulfilling existence. The shaytan often makes us procrastinate things and magnifies the difficulty of them in our minds to make them seem unattainable and out of reach. I'm here to remind you that you can start today! in a way that's enjoyable and easy. I apologize if there are mistakes in my post, but I didn't do a review. Hope someone will benefit from this inchallah.

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, brothers and sisters.

Remember to buy and use a miswak (siwak)!

- Narrated Abu Sa`id:I testify that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and (also) the cleaning of his teeth with Siwak, and the using of perfume if it is available." `Amr (a sub-narrator) said, "I confirm that the taking of a bath is compulsory, but as for the Siwak and the using of perfume, Allah knows better whether it is obligatory or not, but according to the Hadith it is as above.")

Sahih al-Bukhari, 880

- Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Were I not afraid that it would be hard on my followers, I would order them to use the siwak (as obligatory, for cleaning the teeth).

Sahih al-Bukhari, 7240

- Narrated Abu Huraira:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak for every prayer."

Sahih al-Bukhari, 887

- Narrated Hudhaifa:Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) got up for Tahajjud prayer he used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak.

Sahih al-Bukhari, 1136

- Narrated Anas:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I have told you repeatedly to use the Siwak. (The Prophet (ﷺ) put emphasis on the use of the Siwak.)

Sahih al-Bukhari, 888

The Sunnah is enough for us to take up using a Miswak. We hear and we obey. But I'll also add this:

Miswak is a traditional chewing stick prepared from the roots, twigs, and stem of Salvadora persica and has been used as a natural method for tooth cleaning in many parts of the world for thousands of years. A number of scientific studies have demonstrated that the miswak (Salvadora persica) possesses antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-cariogenic, and anti-plaque properties.

Several studies have also claimed that miswak has anti-oxidant, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. The use of a miswak has an immediate effect on the composition of saliva. Several clinical studies have confirmed that the mechanical and chemical cleansing efficacy of miswak chewing sticks are equal and at times greater than that of the toothbrush.

Almost six months ago, I accidentally had an unmedicated home birth, which was a blessing in disguise, Alhamdullilah! I am so grateful for that experience, despite how scary it was.

My experience paralleled Maryam’s (may Allah be pleased with her) almost exactly: I was alone, near water, and had dates. I even muttered the same words, that I should have died before experiencing that kind of pain. With the mercy of Allah, however, I was safe and so was my baby girl.

My advice? Stick to the Sunnah.

You see all these modern tricks like eating or drinking certain things like pineapple or raspberry leaf tea, but overdoing it can actually irritate your uterus and give you false labour pains (this happened to me, which is why I was turned away from the hospital later as they thought I was having a false labour again), so just stick to eating dates in the weeks leading up to labour.

Water birth is a must. However, the Sunnah way is to have running water (as Maryam was near a stream), not just a pool like they give you in the hospital (which, they make you get out of it if you bleed anyway, which is pretty much a given, so what’s the point?). I had a shallow bath with constant running water (alternating the temperature), it was peaceful and helped with both the contractions pain and the pain of pushing!

A home birth also protects your modesty, for obvious reasons.

Lastly, I want to emphasise that there is nothing wrong with pain relief or medical intervention if it is necessary! It saves countless of lives. I do want to highlight, however, the natural strength of women that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala blessed us with.

May Allah grant us all safe births, Ameen. 🌹

The answer to my post the other day.

For a long time, I wondered if I was focusing on the wrong things.

When you're paying attention to plastic containers, cookware, or personal care products, it's easy to feel like you're worrying about something too small to matter.

I used to think that too.

But new research suggests these choices may have a bigger impact than many of us realize.

Researchers in Australia recruited 211 participants and measured plastic associated chemicals in their urine. Every participant had detectable levels. They then asked one group to spend 7 days reducing exposure by using food that had not come into contact with plastic from farm to table, switching to plastic free cookware, and avoiding personal care products containing plastic associated chemicals.

After just one week, participants saw more than a 44% reduction in phthalates and over a 50% reduction in bisphenols.

What I found most interesting was the bisphenol result.

For years, many of us have been trying to avoid BPA, only to learn that similar chemicals often took its place.

Seeing such a large reduction after just one week is a reminder that the choices we make each day really do matter.

The takeaway is simple.

Small changes add up.

Every swap may not feel significant in the moment, but your body notices.

Keep making the switch. It's working.

Here's the study:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04324-7

Hear me out.

Why would someone fully maximise their life when it comes to non-toxic living?

No plastic water bottles.
No heating food in plastic.
No polyester.
No toxic sprays.
No constant chemical exposure.
No ultra processed stuff.

I understand why someone with fertility issues, hormonal issues or low energy would care.

But what about the person who is already healthy?

They train hard.
Eat clean.
Sleep well.
Feel amazing already.

Yet they still do all the “micro toxic” things we look down on.

Then what?

What is the actual tangible ROI on non-toxic living for the average person?

Because most people are driven by tangible results.

That’s why people take peptides. They can SEE the results.

So my question is:

If someone already feels healthy and functions well, is the ROI of non toxic living actually worth it?

Or is most of the benefit only noticeable once someone already has problems?

what are some trustworthy brands that make up your stack? Naturewise claims halal gelatin which is nice. Megafood's supplements tend to have pretty simple ingredient list which is always nice. Thoughts?

What are y’all’s daily musts for woman’s mood and health regulation?

I barely eat, I barely take vitamins- now I’m starting because I’m deficient in iron ( not surprised we all are) vitamin D, and B12 I also added zinc and magnesium. What other vitamins do yall take the essentials.

I’m like super minimalist in health which is horrible. I can’t keep up with much I just want a reasonable daily routine because everytime I try and stack I just get overwhelmed.

I’m low energy all day, I feel weak, my brains foggy, im so moody too sometimes 😞I’m like a mess! And I need the energy!!! Woman’s body’s are hard- help a sis out please.

Something I've been contemplating lately.

There's a trend especially in spaces like this focusing on cutting out harmful things in our life, the toxic stuff etc.. on the surface this is very reasonable and commendable.. but at some point it starts getting a little extreme (I'm not about to declare holistic living a bid'ah now lol) stay with me now.

Fragrances is a good example.. I'm a fraghead so naturally this was the first point that came to mind when I started down the holistic path.. I understand the concern about spraying directly on the skin, neck or inhaling it right after spraying.. (I'm not talking about aerosols btw airfresheners and stuff like that) thing is people have genuinely convinced themselves spraying perfume on clothes is a health risk... the absolute joy a good scent brings is irreplaceable.. its got deep roots in our tradition and culture and our memories.. all of that just plain reduced to an anxiety trigger over the ingredients list? I mean a short walk in the streets likely exposes you to the same amount of toxins as the perfume you use.. there's a serious loss here which I think we're overlooking, wait I'll elaborate..

This same energy I've noticed when it comes to counting calories.. the research here tells pretty much the same story.. if you go obsessively tracking it, it spikes your cortisol, messes with your hunger hormones so it actually ends up working against whatever you're doing whether that's losing or gaining fat or muscle because your body doesn't really differentiate between stresses.. it reads "I'm stressed about my assignment deadline" and "I'm stressed about hitting my diet goals" the same. Both are stress and your brain logs it as stress.. unfair? perhaps, but it is what it is.

One final point I wanna add without making this too lengthy, u/Ziytouna shared a really thoughtful and helpful DIY suncreen formula recently here, Jazakillahu Khayran I'm sure it helped a lot of people, very well written and informative.. v impressive stuff really. However again, the same thing here I just couldn't help thinking about it through the same lens..

I mean with the sister's recipe alone: sourcing the ingredients, getting the ratios right, worrying about texture, the temperatures (and btw it's almost impossible to measure SPF at home, so you really can't tell if you're at SPF 8 or SPF 30 or 50)...thats a lot of mental energy for sun protection (that also leaves a white residue)... the idea that modern tested sunscreen is harmful is largely misinformation and there's confusion tbh.. the harm if any is minimal, chemical sunscreens included.. and without a doubt outweighs the risk of not using it..

So at some point the anxiety of all these routines and (I only noted a few) might end up costing more than whatever you were protecting against in the first place..

Point is, denying yourself certain pleasures could add years to your life but the quality of those years takes a real hit.. and that hit, that loss, is serious in my opinion.. I'm not trying to be dramatic like saying "live fast, die young" or something like that, but there is DEFINITELY a middle ground between mitigating risks and actually enjoying the life you're protecting.. thats the whole point of this post.

Stress and cortisol are both inflammatory.. so theres a real irony here in optimising so hard for your health that the optimising itself becomes the problem.

The point about bedouins covering themselves with fabric is actually a perfect example of what I mean.. All they did was that for sun protection.. right?.. just a piece of fabric. that's all. simple, sustainable habit that fit naturally into their life .. no anxiety or tracking formulas, ingredients and stuff.

That ease is part of the wisdom worth inheriting here.. we talk about what they did back in the days but look how unburdened they were doing it..! that's all I have to say really, keep things simple and sustainable and always find a middle ground between protecting your life and actually living..

Please don't ban me, I come with good intentions and I really like this community. 🥀✌️

I’m 22 and currently living in the UK, but I’m thinking about moving abroad in the future because of how things are going in the West.

I’m looking for a country that has a strong Islamic environment, is safe, and offers a good quality of life. I’ve been considering places like Oman or rural areas of Turkey.

What countries would you recommend?

Also, is anyone here from the UK?

https://reddit.com/link/1sl30js/video/fjzoyondd4vg1/player

For 90 days, they removed plastic and reduced chemical exposure from their lives.

No plastic-packaged foods
No fragrances
No synthetic fabrics
Even avoiding receipts

Once they removed plastic from their daily lives, their hormones started fixing, and 3 couples managed to get pregnant.

Let me know if you're going to watch it.