Islamic contribution to modern medicine: Can we do better than olives, figs and honey?

A Muslim friend of mine, who happens to be a biomedical scientist, recently explained to me how important it was for Muslims to reveal to Westerners the scientific miracles in the Quran and to turn to the Quran for guidance on health.

He gave, as examples, the fact that the Quran mentions olives, figs and honey, and that modern science has now discover the miracles of these foods, among which was a supposed research study done by Japanese scientists that found that a mixture of figs and olives by a ratio of ratio 1 to 7 provides miraculous benefits in removing the symptoms of aging.

You can find this claim in thousands of Islamic Web pages, but no reference to any names of Japanese scientists, publications, or other specifics. Is it possible that someone who is desperate for an Islamic miracle made it up?

The is no shortage of scientific studies showing the health benefits of olive oil. Why not use them instead of making up studies?

We are doing a disservice to the Quran and to Islam by providing weak or non-existing research and linking it to the Quran.

Moreover, God swears by all His Creation, but gives examples in the Quran of things that were familiar to Arabs in their environment. That doesn't mean that they are superior to plants that grow in other areas of the planet.

Modern medicine with all its achievements is now turning to religious practices which are thousands of years old, such as yoga, which has its roots in Hinduism; Qigong and acupuncture, which have roots in Taoism; mindfulness, breathing and emotional awareness, which have roots in Buddhism.

If Muslims want to contribute to modern medicine using the Quran, I think we have to do a little better than olives, figs and honey.