In traditional African medicine, a form of cupping therapy was practiced long before modern glass or silicone cups were introduced. Instead of using cups, healers used hollowed-out buffalo horns. These horns were heated and then placed on the skin to create suction, drawing out what was believed to be toxins or bad energy from the body.
This method not only reflects the deep medicinal knowledge of ancient African cultures but also highlights how natural materials were skillfully adapted for healing purposes.
Here’s a few facts on the history of Cupping Therapy and Hijama Therapy:
- Cupping therapy is mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus, an Egyptian compilation of medical texts dating around 1550 B.C & it's practice is documented in hieroglyphics.
- Hippocrates, the father of medicine, and Galen, the greatest physician of Ancient Greek medicine, mentioned wet cupping in their teachings for its benefits of removal of toxic substances from the body.
- Animal horns, bamboo, glass and bronze were materials historically used for the therapy. Fire often used to create negative topical pressure or suction created with the mouth. In the modern day mechanical pumps and plastic cups are commonly used.
- Cupping therapy is part of the Ancient Chinese Medicine tradition. The earliest records of cupping in ancient China was found written in Bo Shu ancient book written on silk. The text were buried 186 BC found in a tomb of the Han Dynasty.
- Ojibwa women of Native America performed wet cupping for headaches and body using cattle horns. Whether or not the therapy was introduced by Euro-American physicians is unknown.
- Although it predates Islam, Al-Hijama Therapy or wet cupping was practiced & emphasized in the Sunnah or Prophetic Teachings of Muhammad:
“I did not pass by an angel from the angels on the night journey except that they all said to me ‘upon your nation is Hijama.’” (Sunan ibn Maajah, 3477)
“The best medicine with which you treat yourselves is Hijama.” (Al Bukhari, 5371)
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