What is Miswak, Siwak or Sewak?
Miswak (aka Siwak or Sewak)
is a highly effective natural toothbrush alternative. It was the sunnah of the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to use this specific twig from the PEELU tree for
cleaning the teeth. He used to use Miswak before every salat.
There are many Islamic traditions regarding the Miswak, its
health benefits and rewards. We will summarize a few here in this description.
What is in a Peelu or Miswak Twig?
Miswak are cut from root and small branches of the Salvadora
Persica tree. The tree is called Peelu in Urdu and Arak in
Arabic. The Miswak is known to have many beneficial elements
including natural detergents, resins and fluoride. It is obtained from the
choicest twigs and processed and vacuum packed to preserve its freshness and
moisture.
How to Prepare Your Miswak?
By gently chewing on the tip of the MISWAK, the bark will peel off and the
miswak will become like a toothbrush. You can also remove about a half of an
inch of the bark with a knife or razor blade. Some scholars relate that it is
recommended that teeth be brushed horizontally.
For best results, store your Miswak in a dry place so it stays fresh and works
well.
The Many Health Benefits of Miswak
There are numerous benefits to this method of cleaning the teeth and promoting
oral health. This Islamic oral hygiene product is believed to aid in killing
bacteria that cause gum disease. It is also believed to help fight cavities,
plaque and help eliminate bad breath.
Use of the miswak gives a sweet smell to the mouth and is known to increase
salivation. Daily use of the Miswak may improve intelligence,
memory and eyesight, according to Islamic traditions, and is good for general
health.
Miswak in Islamic Traditions
Apart from its numerous possible health benefits, it is also part of Islamic
tradition to use the Miswak before every prayer. The Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have always been seen doing so. In several
hadiths (Islamic traditions) it is stated that the prophet (SAW) told of the
benefits of Miswak saying that the
Miswak improves intelligence, memory and enhances eyesight.
Furthermore, the enzymes from the Peelu wood (name commonly used in Eglish to
describe the miswak tree) is said to improve the sense of taste and aids in
the digestion process.
Miswak Brands and Sources
The miswak sticks we offer are of the best quality, and their low price makes
them an excellent buy for your personal use or as gifts for family and
friends. Peelu sticks have a natural mild flavor and contain no chemicals,
preservatives, sugar or sweeteners. The Alkhair, Al-badr and An-Najm brands
are known worldwide for their quality.
So, consider the use of a Miswak in your daily hygiene
routine. It is the perfect antibacterial alternative to the conventional
toothbrush made from petroleum or plastics which can lead to the harmful
consumption of micro-plastics. It is also more cost-effective and ecologically
friendly. While these are important benefits of the
Miswak and good reasons for using it, you will also be
following an important Sunnah or Islamic and prophetic tradition.
NOTE: Being a natural product, the thickness of the twigs will vary and they
are not always straight as in the photo. Furthermore, the possible health
benefits mentioned have not been verified by the WHO, or dental hygienist.
