Unani medicine

Irq-un-Nasa is one of the commonest neuralgic pain in the lower limbs, which closely resembles to Sciatica and is clinically defined as pain in the sciatic nerve and its component, which may radiates from low back up to leg. The overall incidence of this condition ranges between 13% and 40%. It has the potential to become chronic and intractable, with significant socioeconomic implications. Conventional therapy for Irq-un-Nasa involves pharmacological, surgical or combined approaches. Pharmacological treatments typically include oral or parenteral administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), epidural injections of anesthetics and corticosteroids, while surgical interventions may involve procedures such as hemilaminectomy or microdiscectomy. These treatments are often expensive and associated with various side effects. In contrast, Unani scholars have successfully managed this condition using oral herbal medicines and regimental therapies (Ilaj Bit Tadbeer), which are considered both safe and cost-effective. The present study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Habb-e-Irq-un-Nasa in the management of Irq-un-Nasa. The results demonstrate that patients experienced significant relief from severe pain, with symptoms improving to moderate or mild levels. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in tingling, numbness, and paraesthesia.

Hulba is one of the oldest known medicinal herbs in the recorded history. According to Unani Physicians Hulba has dafae tashannuj, mudirre haiz, mulattif muhallil and munzij properties. The drug is globally distributed, easy available and one of the proved analgesics. It is pharmacologically proved for anti-inflammatory, analgesics diuretic and immunomodulatory activities. These properties are attributed to the presence of saponins, tannins and flavonoids. To gather the literary description regarding the Hulba, a potent Unani herbal drugs. For getting reference for Hulba, author search the classical Unani Text and the research done on the said herb. Author also uses Google Search, Google Scholar and Google Search pdf as search engine to get the information from internet. Keywords: Hulba; Trigonella foenum graecum Linn; Unani medicine, Herb, Tibb, AYUSH.

Unani system of medicine approach to the prevention and treatment of the lifestyle and non communicable diseases is aimed at avoiding the accumulation of fasad mada (toxins) through maintaining of asbab e sitta zarooriya (six essential factors). This review was designed with the objectives to translate and compile ancient Unani literature on lifestyle disorders from classical text, to interpret Unani concept of lifestyle disorders and find proper management for lifestyle disorders through Unani system of medicine. The review was carried out from Arabic and Urdu classical texts of Unani medicine and published articles from reputed journals. In various Unani classical texts it have been stated that chronic disorders, which can also be termed as lifestyle disorders, are the conditions which arise from poor management of the asbab e sitta zarooriya (six essential factors) over an extended period. This invariably results in an accumulation of fasad mada (toxins) which is beyond the ability of physics or tabiat to deal with. Unani recognises the importance of identifying a person’s risk factors like saman e mufrat (obesity) and interpreting the illness on the basis of the temperamental as well as humoral theory. This allows a targeted approach to deal with the humoral or structural imbalance associated with chronic lifestyle disorders such as Ziabetas shakari (type 2 diabetes mellitus) and Zaghtuddum qavi (hypertension). The matter or madda which is accumulated inside the heart or in the pericardium is mostly fasad rutoobat (morbid fluid) in nature. Excessive accumulation of morbid matter in the pericardium exerts pressure on the heart and prevents proper inbasat (relaxation) and thereby destructing the rooh (vital spirit) which leads to death. Lifestyle modification with asbab e sitta zarooriya (six essential factors) and non essential factors (asbab e ghair zarooriya) provide the ability of physis or tabiat to preserve and restore health.

Sandal safaid (Santalum album Linn.) is one of the most important medicinal Plants in the world.It is very well known since antiquity for its perfumery and medicinal properties worldwide. Greek physicians were aware of medicinal properties of sandal from the time of Alexander. They used it widely as qabiz (astringent), muffareh, muhallilawram (anti-inflammatory) and musaffikhoon (blood purifier). It is cultivated in many countries like Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, India etc. but Indian variety is considered to be the best among all varieties. Seeds and wood is used to extract oil.The essential oil extracted from the wood is known as “East Indian sandal wood oil”. Chief constituent of oil is santalol (alpha and beta-santalol). It has been introduced into red list of threatened species as vulnerable.

A female patient of 40 year old attended OPD of NIUM Hospital with weakness of left upper limb that prevent her from performing daily routine activities. With the intervention by Unani medicaments along with riyazat and dalk, she got satisfactory improvement. Hence forth, it can be concluded that Unani therapy for post hemiplegic weakness can be a better alternative of its management.

Lac (Laccifer lacca) is an Indian animal origin drug. In Unani medicine Lac is known as Luk (Arabic word). Its medicinal properties are well advocated in unani literature. That’s why its use for various ailments is commonly prevailed among unani fraternity since centuries. This drug is very famous among unani practitioner for its anti-obesity effects. Various Unani medicine formulations (compound drugs) are having Lac as a chief constituent are in market. One of its most famous and acceptable formulation “Safoofe muhazzil” is being prescribed profoundly to counter obesity. Unani Scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicena), Razi, Ibn Rushd, Rabban Tabri, Hakeem Abdul Hakeem, Najmul Ghani, Jurjani and Kabeeruddin etc., wrote extensively about the medicinal use of Lac for various diseases in their respective books and treatises. Apart from Unani System of Medicine lac is also being used as drug in other complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) system especially in Indian system of medicine namely Ayurveda and Siddha.

One of the challenges faced by scientific community is that of adverse and deterioting side effects of psychotropic agents, which are popularly known as neuroleptic induced extrapyramidal adverse effects. Neuroleptic induced movement disorders pose a significant burden to patients, often resulting in non-adherence, disease relapse, and decreased quality of life. Evidence indicates that drugs which potentiate or attenuate neuroleptic induced catalepsy in rodents might aggravate or reduce the extrapyramidal signs respectively in human beings. It is being appreciated that many plant drugs can be explored for their protective nature against such adverse and toxic effects on account of their ascribed effects.