SWABI: While the belief that herbs can be used as medicines and the concept of the evil eye itself are often considered mere superstitions, the popularity of a particular herb as a The cure for evil eye persists despite all odds in the Swabi of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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The local herb ‘Harmal’ is often used to ward off the evil eye in this city. HUM News reporter Ayub Khan delves deeper into this traditional belief that has existed through the ages.
Also known as Syrian rue, wild rue or harmala, harmal is a perennial plant native to Africa but today it is mainly grown in the Middle East and parts of South Asia, including Pakistan. It grows about a foot tall, but some plants can grow up to 2.5 feet tall. The seeds of this plant are traditionally used for pain relief and have digestive properties.
What’s more interesting is that all parts of the plant – leaves, seeds and fruit – are considered toxic, although not to a severe degree.
In Swabi, Harmal is used as a remedy to ward off the evil eye. It is burned in tin or steel containers and the smoke coming from it is then inhaled or dispersed by people moving their hands in the house or a place believed to provide protection from the evil eye.
“The toxic smoke is quite famous and this herb is present in every house here,” a Swabi resident told HUM News. When someone has the evil eye or any other related problem, people here smoke Harmal.”
Another person, bought Harmal from pansaari shop said: “Doing harm is good. Most people use it to ward off the evil eye of children or ward off evil eyes in homes and shops. It also smells really good.”
A seller of this herb shared with HUM News that although this herb is effective even when used alone, people sometimes add Frankincense – a material that resembles hard gum or resin to the herb. from the stem of the Boswellia plant – to this herb for added flavor. its effectiveness.
In addition to being a ‘protective’ aromatic herb, Harmal has also become a source of livelihood for some people in the region. Sowing, reaping, preparing, packing and selling are all jobs that employ many different people in the city.
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Whether or not this herb actually offers protective benefits, its continued popularity among the Swabi people challenges any claims that the practice is superstitious. As long as faith persists in its effectiveness, Harmal will continue to be sown and sold on the streets of Swabi.