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Can alcohol-based homeopathic tinctures be used to treat illnesses?

Asalaamu Alaykum

I wanted to know if using homeopathic medicines in the form of tinctures for the treatment of various ilnesses are permissible. I know that they contain alcohol of some form as a preservative but do not know how much and what type.
This company is a pharmacy for these medicines http://www.ainsworths.com/site/default.aspx. Can you ask them on my behalf as I do not know what I need to be asking in order to find out if they are okay?

Jazakallah

Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Inspirer of Truth.
Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

It would not be permissible to take this drink, as alcohol serves as a constituent. Herbal tinctures appear to contain alcohols like rum in any case.

http://www.kcweb.com/herb/tincture.htm

http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=herbal%2Btincture

Searching for adequate alternatives:

1. You may also ask at your local pharmacy, Lloyds Supersave, Superdrug/ and Boots Chemists, for adequate alternatives. They would have more idea to alternatives and the product ranges are in front of them. Companies try to be customer-oriented and we as Muslims can take advantage of this as after all we are customers. Demand politely but firmly.

2. Products from The pharmaceutical industry quite often has a medical helpline for consumers printed on the product. It would be advisable to ring them to ascertain whether they would have the product you require. If you feel uncomfortable ringing them, we would me more than happy to investigate them for you, however it would be appreciable if you could get the numbers from labels of the products for us.

3. Ask your GP (preferably Muslim, if possible)for an alternative which is haraam-ingredient free. They have highly detailed databases which they may interrogate.

4. Ask your pharmacist (preferably Muslim, if possible) for an alternative. They have the make-up of the medicine in front of them and should know of adequate alternatives.

5. Alternative medices by Hakeems and homeopathic medicines may also be sought.

The bottom line is however, if there is no adequate alternative then it is permissible to use the medicine. If there is an alternative, but it is not as effective as this one, then too it will be permissible to use.

You may contact the company asking them more information on how the tinctures are used ( i.e. internal or external use), and what types of alcohol. We can revisit the answer if there is pertinent information.

And Allah knows Best
Wa Alaykumussalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh

www.foodguide.org.uk

————————————–
(Mufti) Abdullah Patel
Halal Food Guide

Original Source Link

This answer was collected from MuftiSays.com, based in London (UK). It is one of the fruits of Darul Uloom London. Many ‘ulama are involved in answering the Q&A on the site, including: Shaikul Hadeeth Mufti Umar Farooq Sahib, Mufti Saifur Rahman Sahib, Mufti Abdullah Patel Sahib, Maulana Qamruz Zaman Sahib, Mufti Abu Bakr Karolia Sahib.

Tags: Alcohol, customer, haraam

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