For centuries, Oman’s rugged mountains, coastal villages, and vast deserts have preserved a wealth of traditional healing practices, rooted in indigenous knowledge, Islamic medicine, and cross-cultural exchange. Today, these practices remain an integral part of Omani society, offering holistic approaches to health and wellbeing while increasingly complementing modern medicine.

1. The Foundation: Herbal Medicine and Indigenous Knowledge

Traditional Omani medicine relies heavily on locally sourced herbs and natural remedies. Healers (locally called tabib or mutabib) use plants like:

• Frankincense (Lubaan): Beyond its use in incense and perfumes, frankincense resin is chewed or brewed to relieve digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and inflammation.

• Senna leaves (Sana Makki): Used as a natural laxative and cleansing agent.

• Aloe Vera (Sabr): Applied topically to heal burns and skin irritations.

• Myrrh (Murr): Used for oral health, wound healing, and anti-inflammatory purposes.

Knowledge of these remedies is passed down orally through generations, often guarded within families specialising in traditional healing.

2. Spiritual and Faith-Based Healing

Islamic healing rituals are deeply intertwined with Omani traditional medicine. Practices include:

• Quranic Healing (Ruqyah): Recitation of specific verses for protection against the evil eye (Hasad) and spiritual afflictions (Ain or Sihr).

• Hijama (Cupping Therapy): Practiced for centuries to detoxify the blood, relieve migraines, muscle pain, and improve circulation. Hijama therapists operate both in traditional settings and licensed clinics.

• Use of Zamzam water and blessed oils as part of spiritual purification and healing rituals.

 3. Cauterisation (Wasam)

Cauterisation (Kai) is one of the most enduring and debated practices. Heated metal rods are applied to specific points on the body to treat ailments ranging from joint pain to chronic infections. While modern practitioners caution against excessive use, many Omanis still seek wasam for ailments where modern treatments have shown limited results.

 4. Massage and Manual Therapies

Traditional Omani massage therapy uses oils infused with herbs to treat musculoskeletal pain, improve circulation, and support postpartum recovery in women. This practice is often coupled with herbal steam baths for detoxification and relaxation.

 5. The Role of Traditional Healers Today

While Oman’s robust modern healthcare system continues to expand, traditional healers remain respected in communities. Many Omanis adopt a complementary approach, first seeking traditional treatments for minor ailments or spiritual concerns before turning to hospitals for advanced care.

Recognising the cultural significance, Oman’s Ministry of Health has undertaken efforts to document and regulate some traditional practices to ensure public safety while preserving intangible heritage.

6. Challenges and Integration

Key challenges include:

• Lack of formal scientific validation for some traditional treatments

• Risks of unsupervised herbal remedies interacting with prescribed medications

• The gradual erosion of knowledge as younger generations migrate towards urban lifestyles

However, with the rise of Ayurveda clinics, integrative wellness resorts, and academic studies on indigenous medicine, Oman is witnessing a revival of interest in holistic healthcare models that integrate the old and the new. As the Sultanate strides towards Vision 2040, integrating this heritage into healthcare, wellness tourism, and research could position Oman as a leading destination for authentic, holistic wellbeing experiences.

Source: http://www.emro.who.int/oman/programmes/traditional-medicine.html
https://www.moh.gov.om/en/web/guest/health-vision-2050