Ibn al-Qayyim mentioned in his book an account reported by Abdullah Ibn Omar saying that at Tabuk, cheese was brought to the Prophet ﷺ, he asked for a knife, pronounced the name of Allah, since it was a product that came from the Christians, and cut the cheese. And the companions ate it in the Levant, in Syria and in Iraq. Tabuk was a place in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, close to the Levant, where the Christians lived.
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim said that fresh unsalted cheese is good for the stomach, since it contains lactic bacteria; salted cheese is less nourishing than fresh cheese, is bad for the stomach, and harmful to the intestines. Aged cheese causes constipation, as does grilled cheese, which is useful against lesions and diarrhea. Cheese, rich in calcium and vitamin D, eases the flow in the organs, increases flesh, and softens the belly moderately.
It is a food that is cold and moist. Aged, salted cheese is hot and dry. If cheese is grilled, this improves it, tempers its nature, and reduces its acidity. Salted cheese consumed in large quantities can cause kidney and gallstones. Aged cheese is bad for the stomach.
Today we know that cheese contains vitamin A, retinol, which is good for the teeth, bones, and eyesight. The tryptophan, this amino acid that cheese contains, makes it calming and stimulates the person in their sexuality.
There are several varieties of cheese, such as goat cheese, camembert, or even emmental
What the science says: reflux and the stomach
What the published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for context — the studies address material causes, while healing belongs to Allah.
Reflux and the stomach
Gastroesophageal reflux responds first to lifestyle habits: light meals eaten early, a raised head of the bed, a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and less coffee and fat (JAMA, 2020) (Ther Clin Risk Manag, 2021); traditional medicinal plants (licorice, chamomile, ginger) have been evaluated for dyspepsia (Curr Drug Discov Technol, 2021). Precaution: licorice raises blood pressure; persistent heartburn, difficulty swallowing, or weight loss should be investigated by a doctor.
