Zhourat: Myth or Medicine?

By: Rasha Khanafer

When we’re sick, most of our parents recommend taking medicine, or resting. Arab-American parents also make sure we drink as much Zhourat as possible. Do you have a headache? According to our parents, Zhourat can fix that. Stomachache, or coughing? Zhourat can fix that too! Zhourat is a common Middle-Eastern herbal tea that is made up of a blend of dried wild flowers, herbs, leaves, and fruits. The exact mix varies depending on each region, but the main ingredients are consistent. For example, Rosa damascena is known to be included in the majority of Zhourat mixes. It is considered to have widespread health benefits, from reducing pain, to preventing bacterial infections.

According to a study published on the National Institute of Health website, our parents are spot-on when it comes to Zhourat. Out of the 77 ingredients found to be used in Zhourat, 52 of them are beneficial when it comes to treating diseases of the digestive system (stomach aches), 30-45 are beneficial in treating diseases of the respiratory system (common cold), and 18 were found to treat diseases of the nervous system (migraines). Although you may not be completely cured after drinking a cup of Zhourat, it is definitely a beneficial and effective supplement on a path to recovery.  

References:

Beverage and culture. "Zhourat", a multivariate analysis of the globalization of a herbal tea from the Middle East.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24703931

Pharmacological Effects of Rosa Damascena

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586833/

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