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SHORT THREAD.
This Christmas, I would like to tell a brief story about maramia, an herb of deep importance to Palestinians, and its connection to Mariam (Mary), the mother of the Issa (Jesus), the holy Prophet shared by both Muslims and Christians.
This Christmas, I would like to tell a brief story about maramia, an herb of deep importance to Palestinians, and its connection to Mariam (Mary), the mother of the Issa (Jesus), the holy Prophet shared by both Muslims and Christians.
Maramia is what we call sage. It is pictured in the previous tweet on the left in its dry form and on the right in a cup of black tea, which is how it is popularly consumed by Palestinians. It makes an excellent post-meal beverage and its health benefits are many.
This thread is not about health benefits. Much has been written online about those, and they are only a Google search away. Since its Christmas, I want to talk about how maramia got its name.
It is sometimes referred to as the herb of Mariam, and comes from a story that took place roughly two thousand years ago in Palestine (obviously!).
The story begins with a poor boy who fell ill. He caught a fever, which at the time was not as simple to heal from as it is today.
The story begins with a poor boy who fell ill. He caught a fever, which at the time was not as simple to heal from as it is today.
His mother, short on solutions and remedies due to the seriousness of her sickly son's condition, took him to see Mariam (AS), requesting that she find a way to cure him. It is said that Mariam (AS) obliged this request.
She appeared to the mother in a dream one night, ordering her to serve the ailing child a warm beverage made with sage leaves.
The mother did this, and the child made a full recovery from his fever. From then on, sage in Palestine became known as the herb of Mariam, or Mariamia.
The mother did this, and the child made a full recovery from his fever. From then on, sage in Palestine became known as the herb of Mariam, or Mariamia.
There are many stories and traditions out there about the importance of maramia, as it later became known, in medicine, and particularly in childbirth. The drink, made with black tea, remains an essential part of Palestinian cuisine & is used as a home remedy for many conditions.
Given the importance of Mariam (AS) to this blessed holiday and her powerful significance in both Islam and Christianity, let us remember this beautiful (and delicious) piece of cultural and medicinal heritage she left behind that remains relevant in this day and age.
I ask Allah during this holiday season to always give us access to great maramia and chai, and to keep us always blessed and committed to bringing His justice to this dunya. Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it and season's salaams to those who don't.
