Hijama Cupping/Wet Cupping

Cupping is a form of non - invasive acupuncture that involves placing a cup around meridian pathways and specific areas of the body. This method creates a strong suction which increases circulation , draws out toxins and generally improves energy flow. In addition Cupping boosts immunity , helps avoid coughs , colds and allergies altogether.

The History of Hijama (Cupping Therapy) - A journey through 4,000 years of healing:-

Hijama, known as wet cupping, is one of the world’s oldest healing practices. Its story travels across civilisations — from ancient Egypt and China, through Greece, Persia and the Islamic Golden Age, into Europe, and finally back into modern clinics and wellness centres today.

🏺 Ancient Beginnings

🔸 Egypt (1550 BCE)

The earliest written record of cupping appears in the Ebers Papyrus. Ancient Egyptians used cups to remove pain, fever and “harmful substances” from the body. These ideas influenced Greek and later European medicine.

🔸 China (1st century BCE onward)

Cupping became part of Hippocratic medicine, used to balance the four “humours” and treat headaches, digestive complaints, respiratory illness and many internal diseases. From Greece and Rome, it travelled across Europe and remained a standard medical technique for centuries.

🏛 Greece & the Mediterranean

Cupping became part of Hippocratic medicine, used to balance the four “humours” and treat headaches, digestive complaints, respiratory illness and many internal diseases. From Greece and Rome it travelled across Europe and remained a standard medical technique for centuries.

🌙 Hijama in the Islamic Golden Age - With the rise of Islam, cupping took on a new spiritual and medical importance.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recommended cupping, and it became part of Tibb an-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine). Muslim physicians such as Al-Razi, Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Al-Zahrawi refined the technique, writing in detail about the best dates and times, ideal points, suitable conditions, and therapeutic benefits.

Hijama spread across the Middle East, North Africa, Persia, Andalusia and Asia — becoming one of the most advanced medical arts of its time.

🏥 Europe & Decline

Throughout the Middle Ages and early modern period, European doctors used cupping for lung problems, fever, menstrual issues, gout and “congestions” of different organs. By the late 1800s, with the rise of modern scientific medicine, bloodletting and cupping gradually declined in Western hospitals — but survived in folk medicine and traditional practices around the world.

🌏 Global Revival in Modern Times

In the 20th century, cupping continued to thrive in China, Korea, and Japan, while in the West, it slowly began to regain popularity through physiotherapy, acupuncture, sports medicine, and complementary therapy. A major wave of interest followed the appearance of athletes like Michael Phelps with cupping marks during the Olympics.

• Today, Hijama is practised worldwide:
• ✨ As Sunnah in Muslim communities
• ✨ As part of TCM and Eastern medicine
• ✨ As a natural therapy for pain, tension, headaches, muscle recovery, detox support and circulation and many more

Its tools may have changed — from horns and bamboo to modern plastic and silicone cups — but its purpose is the same: using controlled suction to support the body’s healing.

🌿 A Timeless Therapy

From ancient empires to modern clinics, Hijama has travelled for over 4,000 years. It continues to connect tradition with natural health, and spiritual wellbeing with physical care.