AL AIN // If Sarab the camel looks particularly relaxed and content, there's a reason for that.
After a skin cleanse and shampoo with a pine-scented grooming product designed especially for you, what camel wouldn't feel pampered?
"It's a wonderful feeling, they look to you with the long eyelashes," says Birgit Kemphues, the German expatriate businesswoman in Al Ain who created the shampoo and cleanser. "Sometimes they just jump after washing."
Sarab, a retired racing camel, now smells faintly of pine thanks to the extract of German, Russian and Norwegian pine trees used in the grooming product.
"If it's good for humans, why is it not good for camels?" Ms Kemphues says.
"We tried this in an organic way. The camel is an organic thing and it needs organic treatments."
Ms Kemphues was brought up on a farm in north-west Germany but has made Al Ain her second home.
On visits to friends' farms she saw camels were treated with chemicals to cure skin problems or clean their hair.
She sought a solution and paired researchers from UAE University in Al Ain with the University of Applied Science in Osnabruck in Germany to develop a natural shampoo, spray and gel.
It took two years of experimentation with products such as jasmine oil and date extracts before a product was developed using pulp from the core of the pine tree.
"We know that the heart of the pine wood puts all of the sickness and the bad things away from the body," Ms Kemphues says. "It is from experience of the past 1,000 years. It is a kind of protection."
The products are said to reduce harmful bacteria, germs, fungi and parasites.
Beauty supplies have multiplied with the growth of camel beauty contests. A proliferation of shampoos and cosmetics claim to give camels good looks, strong hair and vitality.
"Camels these days are not used like they used to be," said Dr Muhammad Shakeel Ijaz, a vet at the Central Veterinary Hospital in Baniyas. "People are keeping them for beauty and the camels are judged on their beauty so for that reason camels must be groomed properly."
Cosmetic shampoos rid the male camel of pungent, oily secretions on the head that attract females but are less pleasant to humans and competition judges.
Many shampoos do not list their ingredients.
"Camel shampoo smells so chemical," Ms Kemphues said. "It is like when you clean the floor."
Camels may not suffer split ends from blow drying but they do get skin problems such as lice, ticks and mange caused by mites.
Ms Kemphues has folders that document her success stories - balding mounds transformed to soft, downy humps, and so on.
The gel is for insect bites, eczema, wounds and hair loss.
"A lot of girlfriends like to use the camel shampoo," Ms Kemphues said.
A one-litre bottle lasts 40 washes and costs Dh160. Most promotion is done through the majlis.
"People here like to talk," Ms Kemphues said. "They sit in the majlis and talk about the results, so there is no need to make advertising for something like this."
Sultan Al Ketbi, an owner who regularly spends Dh3,000 on his camels for beauty contests, has started to use the shampoo once a week.
"She's not from Germany, she started to be one of the family and learn our traditions," said Mr Al Ketbi. "She brought us all these things, she's helping us. I see the benefits."
For Ms Kemphues, success is in the eyes of the camel.
"When I see a happy animal I get a motivation to do more. Some people who have children say that when a child looks in your eyes you feel happy. It is like this for camels also.
"It is amazing when you think about what camels can do. We had only camels and dates here and they made this country develop. When I do this I feel like I do a good thing for this country."
azacharias@thenational.ae
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
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Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
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Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
Racecard
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
9.30pm: Balanchine Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Results
6.30pm Madjani Stakes Rated Conditions (PA) I Dh160,000 I 1,900m I Winner: Mawahib, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
7.05pm Maiden Dh150,000 I 1,400m I Winner One Season, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
7.40pm: Maiden Dh150,000 I 2,000m I Winner Street Of Dreams, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson
8.15pm Dubai Creek Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,600m I Winner Heavy Metal, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm The Entisar Listed I Dh250,000 I 2,000m I Winner Etijaah, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson
9.25pm The Garhoud Listed I Dh250,000 I 1,200m I Winner Muarrab, Dane O’Neill, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
10pm Handicap I Dh160,000 I 1,600m I Winner Sea Skimmer, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
Result
UAE (S. Tagliabue 90 1') 1-2 Uzbekistan (Shokhruz Norkhonov 48', 86')
The National in Davos
We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
More about Middle East geopolitics
Race card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.
The National selections:
1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed
2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey
2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol
3.15pm: Eqtiraan - Bochart
3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial
4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold
4.35pm: Compliance - Muqaatil
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
