Why Hijama Cupping Therapy is more Effective with an Empty Stomach?

As Hijama(Cupping) Practitioners, we always advise our clients to perform Hijama Cupping Therapy with an empty stomach. Everyone gets very curious to know the reason behind having an empty stomach for Hijama Cupping Therapy. So, in this article, I will try to explain why it is preferable to perform Hijama with an empty stomach.

Hijama on an Empty Stomach: An Authentic Sunnah and Health-Boosting Practice

According to the Islamic point of view, Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) preferred Hijama with an empty stomach. Ibn Umar reports Our Prophet(P.B.U.H) saying, “Hijama(cupping) is the best on an empty stomach. In it Is the cure and a blessing”. “It improves the intellect and the memory”. [Saheeh Sunan Ibn Maajah (3488)]. Abdullah Ibn Abbas said, “Rasool Allah(P.B.U.H) was cupped while he was fasting”. Saheeh al Bukhari(5694).

Hijama Cupping Therapy is an ancient alternative medical treatment for several aches and pains, inflammation, toxic blood, skin problems, migraines, Blood pressure, relaxation, well-being, etc. If you want to perform Hijama Cupping therapy that means you have some kind of health issue so to get rid of the health problem and to get maximum benefits of Hijama Cupping Therapy it is essential to have Hijama done with an empty stomach. “Alaa ar-reeq” is an Arabic word that means “ to fast until be treated with cupping”.

The Hijama Cupping Therapy must be performed with an empty stomach before breakfast. Our Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, “Hijama before breakfast is optimal and it has cure and benediction”.

Why Morning Is the Best Time for Hijama Cupping Therapy?

During the sleeping period when we are resting, the system inside our body is on a mission of the natural healing and cleaning of our body. The unwanted, sluggish and retired blood gathers in the blood vessels and capillaries in the region of our skin during the sleeping time. This is the reason that morning time is considered the best time to perform Hijama Cupping Therapy.

How Eating Affects Hijama Cupping Therapy

Eating before Hijama Cupping Therapy is strongly discouraged because food activates the digestive system, significantly altering blood circulation. During digestion, blood flow increases to support the digestive organs, which elevates heartbeat, blood pressure, and overall blood movement. Nearly half of the body’s blood becomes engaged in digestion, leaving vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain with reduced circulation.

The primary role of blood during digestion is to transport nutrients from digested food to various tissues and organs. When the body is focused on this process, it is not in an optimal state for Hijama Cupping Therapy. Performing Hijama on a full stomach can interfere with normal blood circulation and may reduce the therapy’s effectiveness.

Why Hijama Must Be Performed on an Empty Stomach

When Hijama is performed after eating, the blood drawn will be fresh, active blood rather than the stagnant, “toxic” blood that the therapy is intended to remove. This compromises the purification and detoxification benefits of the procedure, as essential blood needed for ongoing bodily functions is being extracted instead of the stagnant blood.

To gain maximum benefits, Hijama must be performed on an empty stomach. This ensures that only sluggish, stagnant blood is removed, allowing the therapy to fully support detoxification, healing, and overall wellness.

Risks of Performing Hijama on a Full Stomach

Having a Hijama while the stomach is full could cause some permanent health

conditions such as stroke, infarction, etc. The cupped person could also suffer from some slight vertigo or syncope as a result of the insufficient quality of blood which irritates the brain. Fast on Hijama day if it is possible for you but if you can’t keep fast then refrain from having a heavy meal such as rice or meat, probably five or six hours before Hijama. Fruits, tea or coffee could be consumed three hours before Hijama.

A heavy meal is not easy to digest, it could take a long time and energy to digest heavy food and it could slow down the new blood cell production. Liquids are permitted before Hijama cupping Therapy because liquids do not need a complicated digestive operation that stirs the blood, activates the blood circulation and affects the heartbeat and blood pressure.

This little quantity of liquid contains a simple nerve stimulant that does not affect the person undergoing cupping therapy.

To conclude the article I must say that if you want to get the maximum benefits from Hijama Cupping Therapy then prefer to get Hijama done on an empty stomach especially early in the morning with overnight fasting.