History of Unani Medicine

In this interdisciplinary multi-author volume, scholars from diverse areas of research (European history, Indology, Sinology, Japanology, Tibetology, Oriental studies, anthropology) will examine the uses of mercury in a number of medical and alchemical traditions  from the early modern period to the present. Drawing upon the primary textual sources of each respective tradition (European, Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, Japanese, Arab and Persian) as well as on colonial and trade company records, the authors will explore why, when and how mercury was used in the different medical traditions. A comparison of processing methods, recipes and applications will serve to identify possible links between the various medical and alchemical systems and to create a detailed and comprehensive picture of connections both in trade as also in medical theory and techniques.
Contributions will further examine the role of the shifting colonial networks of trade and the inner workings of European markets in the development and global transmission of mercury products,
locating the different medical traditions and their cultural, political and economic contexts within a global history of iatrochemistry.

Traditional medicine is finding more significance and application today, particularly when we are facing difficulty in the management of numerous medical conditions. More effective and palatable drug dosage forms are needed in the modern era. The recent trend in traditional medicine dosage forms is to enhance the solubility, bioavailability, pharmacological activity, stability, reduce the toxicity and increase the compliance, etc. Oral dosage form which can address these factors are granules (effervescent and rapid release granules), tablets (fast dissolving and rapid disintegrating tablet), capsules, suspension, syrups, etc. and topical dosage form includes toothpaste, natural hair dye, face pack, hand wash, liniment spray and roll-on, gel, creams (emulsion), shampoo, etc. Contemporary, traditional pharmacies including several Ayurvedic pharmacies have already implemented these new trends and launched several new dosage forms apart from traditional under cover of conventional knowledge; few of such Unani products have also been launched. There is an immense need to adopt these recent trends in respect of the dosage form in Unani and another Indian traditional medicine pharmacy for adaptation on Global scenario.

Maul-Jubn (Whey) a by-product of the dairy industry is used since thousands of years as nutraceuticals in the traditional system of medicine. For several years it was thought to be insignificant and was either used as an animal feed or it was disposed off as waste. But Over the last years several studies were carried out concerning the importance of nutritional value of whey and the properties of its ingredients. It is now accepted that its main content, whey proteins, have antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-oxidant properties, can offer a kind of protection against cancer and heart diseases and assist at the enhancement of immune defence. In Unani medicine the importance of Maul-Jubn in the prevention and treatment was well known to Unani physicians since ancient time, and abundant literature regarding the use and methods of preparation have been discussed. The present study attempted to discuss the importance of Maul-Jubn in the perspective of Unani medicine with addition of some recent scientific reports.

Gout (Niqras) is a common metabolic disorder which causes inflammatory arthritis generally presenting as monoarthritis. It is a true crystal deposition disease caused by formation of monosodium urate crystals hinge joints and other tissues. Unani classical text provides a comprehensive detail on the concept of Niqras. According to Ibn Sina Niqras is a type of pain which starts sometimes from fingers, toe, and sometimes heel. Owing to dreadful complications of Gout and lack of safe and effective drug for its management, it becomes a thrust area for research, in every field of medical science. Unani medicine has a variety of safe and effective drugs for the management of Niqras. And Unani medicine claims have been successful in treating this disease since a long time without any unwanted effects.

In the fourteenth century, the physician Shihāb al-Dīn Nāgaurī added an autobiographical chapter to the end of a medical text, describing his experiences learning and practicing medicine in India. Because this text is not easily accessible, especially when compared to autobiographies of physicians written in Arabic, I present the Persian text and translation of this chapter here. It is the final chapter of Cure of Illness (Shifāʾ al-maraẓ), composed in 1388 CE, and is one of the few texts of ṭibb (often known as Greco-Arabic medicine or Islamic medicine) from the early centuries of its spread in India. Nāgaurī reflects on the pluralism of his environment. He studied medicine with a ḥakīm (a practitioner of ṭibb) from Kabul as well as with local jogis (who taught him Ayurveda). He preferred his Hindu patients to his Muslim patients, finding the latter lacking in faith. The themes raised by Nāgaurī's tale can help us study hybridity in Indian medicine before the European colonial encounter.

Asian Medicines: Encounters, Translations and Transformations
Asian medicines are engaged in complex global networks of actors: conservators who watch the changing supplies of wild plants in Asian mountains, medical botanists who study the substitution practices of collectors and marketers in Asia, policy makers who control or prevent the entry of drugs into European countries, corporations who seek to exploit drugs based on Asian medical knowledge, professional associations who seek to regulate Asian medical practice.  ICTAMs VII and VIII both took place in Asia (2009 in Bhutan, 2013 in Korea). The European location of ICTAM IX will allow us to take stock of the current state of Asian medicine and to examine the global flows of medical knowledge, practice and materials from a different but equally significant vantage point.
Traditional Asian medicines play a significant role in improving the wellbeing of people worldwide, both as a health care system in their own right, and as a resource for bio-discovery projects. Their applications will only grow, and to reach a full understanding of traditional Asian medicine, it is crucial to integrate professionals from many disciplines, including medical anthropologists, traditional medicine practitioners, clinical trial specialists, ethnobotanists, ethnopharmacologists, ethnopharmacognosists, ethnochemists, herbalists, businessmen, historians, economists, political scientists, conservationists, botanists, translators and more. ICTAM IX will bring together these professionals to share their experience, findings and knowledge, and work out appropriate strategies and networking to enhance research on traditional medicines.

Liver damage or disease is a worldwide health threat due to non-availability of
specific drug and potentiality of modern drugs to add further damage. A large
number of traditional drugs possesses hepatoprotective activity have been
used in liver pathologies since centuries. So investigating these drugs for their
hepatoprotective effect to make an effective medicine in the treatment of liver
toxicity or dysfunction is promising. Different kinds of laboratory models have
been used to assess the hepatoprotective action of these drugs. Hepatotoxic
agents such as Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), Paracetamol, D-galactosamine are
commonly used. Most widely, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) has been used to
induce liver toxicity in rodents. Likewise chloroform, acrylamide, adriamycin,
aflatoxin, thioacetamide, isoniazid, rifampicin, ethanol, pyrilizidine alkaloid,
alphanapthoisothiocynate, tamoxifen, phalloidin, cadmium, lead and
erythromycin have been also used to induce chemical injury in the liver. When
the disease is induced in an appropriate animal, the traditional drugs can be
tested for its therapeutic effect as well as its effective dose and toxicological
profile. In experimental models, both in vivo and in vitro models of liver have
been used. The hepatoprotective effect is evaluated by ability of the trial drug
to prevent or mitigate the injury in different parameters like biochemical,
histological changes and normalization of the volume of the liver. The present
article explains the types, dose and mechanism of hepatotoxic agents along
with experimental model used to study hepatoprotective effect of traditional
drugs.

Urolithiasis is a common worldwide problem with high recurrence. This review covers the forty one (41) antiurolithiatic plants of family Rosaceae used in 14 different countries. Hopefully, this review will not only be useful for the general public but also attract the scientific world for antiurolithiatic drug discovery.

Introduction: Kushta of Shangarf (KS) is in therapeutic use since long time in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine. It requires extensive assessment with respect to its safety and processing because of the presence of mercury. KS prepared with Shangarf (HgS), Phitkari (alum), and Jozbua (Myristica fragrans Houtt.) was selected for the study. It is indicated as tonic, increases blood production, and improves complexion of face. Preparation of KS by classical and contemporary method and its comparative physicochemical analysis was attempted in this work. Materials and Methods: Kushta was prepared by incinerating the drugs kept inside Buta in Bhatti with 24 kg of Uple (cow-dung cakes) and also in muffle furnace. Samples obtained were evaluated by Unani specifications (test), powder characterizations, loss on drying, pH, ash value, solubility, particle size, and qualitative estimation of organic and inorganic constituents, X-ray diffraction (XRD), quantitative estimation by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry, and so on. Results: Physicochemical standards set in were comparable in KS prepared by classical method (KSCM) and in KS prepared by muffle furnace method (KSMFM), except water-soluble ash and solubility in water were found slightly more in KSMFM. XRD study revealed the presence of aluminum oxide phase and absence of mercury in both the samples. Quantitative estimation of elements in both the samples in decreasing order are as follows: sulfur > aluminum > calcium > iron > arsenic. Arsenic was found more than iron in KSCM at parts per million level. Conclusion: Preliminary understanding suggests that muffle furnace method could be a better option with respect to safety and ease of preparation. Shangarf incinerated above 900°C with Phitkari and Jaiphal did not show presence of mercury in both the samples, indicating KS prepared by incinerating at higher temperature can be safer than unroasted preparation. Studied formulation can be recommended or used for its indications without the concern of mercury toxicity.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ssviEb_KoAtb2U_XaXf_w

The Youtube channel of the AyurYog project "Medicine, Immortality, Moksha: Entangled Histories of Yoga, Ayurveda and Alchemy in South Asia" contains videos of presentations made at the AyurYog Workshop " Rejuvenation, longevity, immortality. Perspectives on rasāyana, kāyakalpa and bcud len practices", October 21-22, 2016.

Limonia acidissima (known as Vila in Siddha medicine) belonging to the Family Rutaceae, is a well known Traditional herb used since time immemorial. From ancient days to recent civilization, human beings depend on nature for running their life smoothly. Siddha Traditional system of medicine consist large number of plants with various medicinal and pharmacological importances and hence represents the highness of bioactive molecules. The Authors of this paper decided to collect and compile the literary documents, recent Pharmacognostical aspects, and Experimental research works of Limonia acidissima. Plants remain a vital source of drugs and now a day’s much emphasis have been given to Nutraceuticals. Various parts of the plant possess astringent, cardiotonic, Carminative and refrigerant actions. This review will be helpful to create interest towards the less known and less documented Limonia acidissima and may be useful in developing new formulations with more therapeutic values.

INTRODUCTION Greco-Arabic Medicine imparts vast knowledge regarding diseases afflicting different systems. Urinary incontinence (UI) is involuntary leakage of urine. It is an undiagnosed, under-reported, and frequently untreated medical condition that greatlyaffects the quality of life of women in any age. Therefore, a literary search in classical literature of Greco-Arabic medicine for UI was explored to implement in current era. Material and METHODS Meticulous literature search was carried out to comprehend the concept of urinary incontinence described in ancient Unani literature. The classical Greco-Arabic medicine texts were searched. Further, browsing of PubMed/Google Scholar and other websites was carried by searching complementary and alternative treatment for urinary incontinence and herbal remedies useful in urinary incontinence. RESULTS The causes of urinary incontinence described in Greco-Arabic texts are abnormal temperament of body or bladder, dislocation of vertebrae, ...

This is a study of the emergence of new institutional arenas for ayurveda and yunani medicine, collectivized at the time as 'indigenous medicine,' in a semi-autonomous State (Mysore) in late colonial India. The study argues that the characteristic dimensions of this process were compromise and misalignment between ideals of governance and modes of pedagogy and practice. Running counter to a narrative that the Princely States such as Mysore were instrumental for the 'preservation' of ayurveda, this study analyzes the process of negotiation and struggle between a variety of actors engaged with shaping the direction of institutionalized 'indigenous medicine'. In examining the entanglements over the priorities of the state administration and the conflicting desires and ideals of protagonists, the study problematizes the idea of studying the encounter between the 'state' and 'indigenous medicine,' in order rather to highlight their co-production an...

The history of Tiryaq is around 2000 years old and, since ancient times, has been regarded as a universal antidote. It was a complex compound consisting of many ingredients, originating as a cure for the bite of poisonous wild animals, mad dogs, or wild beasts. Tiryaq was not a usual antidote; it was not developed to cure or prevent a particular disease. It was a multi-medicine to protect against all poisons and treat different conditions, such as chronic cough, stomach-ache, asthma, chest pain, fever, colic, seizures, diarrhoea, and urine retention. The belief that Tiryaq could protect individuals from poisons and various maladies persisted well into the modern era, only gradually being dispelled by the progress of Western medicine founded on scientific principles. Tiryaq was taken off most formularies, although now it survived in India and a few European cities.

The history of the globalization of biomedicine is as much a history of imperialism as it is one of the spread of rationality.  In the last century, practitioners of Indian medicine, like other specialists of non-Western medicine throughout the world, have seen the legitimacy of their knowledge seriously challenged by biomedicine.  The debate over medical efficacy has been part of larger discussions of the future viability of non-Western cultural practices, especially those that impinge on disciplines that are classified as “sciences.”  Vaidyas, practitioners of Sanskrit ayurveda and Tamil siddha medicines, and hakims, practitioners of the Islamic unani medical system, have responded to these attempts to undermine their authority in a variety of ways.  One of the most effective has been to argue for the unique efficacy of Indian medicine, to assert that its features are distinct from those of Western medicine, and that its practices cannot be assimilated into any other medical system.  In this essay, I  explore the ways that these vaidyas and hakims have sought to carve out an autonomous space for their practices by constructing boundaries that shape an Indian medical tradition.

The therapeutic success of Asian medicine has been discussed mostly in relation to efficacy, effectiveness, and evidence thereof. By taking Unani medicine as an example, this article calls for the reconsideration of the dominance of biomedical frameworks in the anthropological study of Asian medicine by paying closer attention to emic dimensions of successful treatment and their relation to eminence. On the basis of ethnographic fieldwork among practitioners of Unani (Greco-Islamic) medicine in India and following a practice ontology approach, the author examines how private-practicing hakims (Unani physicians) enact successful treatment in their everyday practice. For them, therapeutic success is closely connected to professional authority, a legacy of the Greco-Islamic tradition, in which therapeutic success is also enacted through eminence. Approaching therapeutic success beyond the therapeutic outcome draws attention to further dimensions at stake, revealing that scientific evidence is not necessarily the dominant enactment of successful treatment in Asian medicine.

CONTEXT Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder. Habb-e-Asgand (HEA) is a polyherbal, Unani formulation widely used in the treatment of RA. Traditional systems of medicine or plant-based drugs are an attractive alternative treatment because of their professed efficacy in curing the disease. Medicinal herbs and herbal formulations are generally considered to be safer than the conventional drugs for RA. Unani drugs are known not to produce toxic effects and are presumed to be nontoxic. However, no objective, verifiable data exists to support the claims of nontoxicity and efficacy. OBJECTIVES The present study was designed to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of HEA in Wistar rats. SETTING The study took place at the University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, University of Delhi, Dilshad Garden, Delhi, India. DESIGN Oral toxicity studies--one acute (14 d) and one long-term (90 d)--were carried out using three doses of HEA--57.5, 115, and 230 ...

REVIEW ARTICLE ABSTRACT ARTICLE INFORMATION Liver damage or disease is a worldwide health threat due to non-availability of specific drug and potentiality of modern drugs to add further damage. A large number of traditional drugs possesses hepatoprotective activity have been used in liver pathologies since centuries. So investigating these drugs for their hepatoprotective effect to make an effective medicine in the treatment of liver toxicity or dysfunction is promising. Different kinds of laboratory models have been used to assess the hepatoprotective action of these drugs. Hepatotoxic agents such as Carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4), Paracetamol, D-galactosamine are commonly used. Most widely, carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) has been used to induce liver toxicity in rodents. Likewise chloroform, acrylamide, adriamycin, aflatoxin, thioacetamide, isoniazid, rifampicin, ethanol, pyrilizidine alkaloid, alphanapthoisothiocynate, tamoxifen, phalloidin, cadmium, lead and erythromycin have been a...

Kushta Tila Kalan (KTK), a gold preparation used in Unani-Tibb is claimed to possess general tonic, anti-infective and rejuvenating properties. We evaluated immunomodulatory activity of KTK in male mice. KTK was orally administered to animals at dosage of 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg b.w. for 10 days. Beside general immunopathological parameters, cell-mediated immunity was evaluated by measuring delayed type of hypersensitivity response (DTH) while humoral immunity was assessed using plaque forming cell (PFC) assay. KTK augmented both the immune responses at dose levels of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg. The optimum activities were recorded at 25 mg/kg. High dose of 50 mg/kg showed suppressive effects on immune functions. The modulatory effects may be attributed to the interactions of gold with herbomineral adjuncts incorporated during the specialized ashing techniques used in the preparation. The results are interesting in view of reported suppressive effects of other gold preparations.

Cupping (Hijama in Arabic) is an ancient, holistic method for the treatment of a variety of diseases. Though the exact origin of cupping therapy is a matter of controversy, its use has been documented in early Egyptian and Chinese medical practices. Diverse human civilizations have contributed to the historical development and continuation of cupping therapy. This narrative review describes the history of cupping, historical definitions, cupping instruments and uses of cupping therapy. Electronic searches of relevant databases (PubMed, Google Scholar and OvidSP) were conducted using keywords and Boolean operators. Manual searches and references of published articles and books were also conducted. A number of articles (N = 625) were retained for extensive review, and finally 83 articles were included in this paper. The historical descriptions of cupping therapy were found in ancient human civilizations of the Eastern and Western world. There were inconsistent data concerning the orig...

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Unani Ajmal06, an herbal formulation for management of chronic renal failure (CRF). The therapeutic evaluations of three different formulations such as Itrifal Kashneezi, Jawarsih Zarooni Sada medicines were conducted on number 35 CRF patients clinically diagnosed cases of chronic kidney failure. It was found that herbal coded Ajmal06 was effective for the treatment of CRF in 70% of the patients treated. SPSS tests on sign and symptoms indicated the efficacy of Ajmal06 in lowering serum creatinine level in 70% of patients of chronic renal failure. In clinical response of BUN exhibited 75% of patients improved where as in case of fatigue (70%), edema (90%), leg pain (76%) improved these types of conditions with significant p value.

Greco-Arabic Medicine imparts vast knowledge regarding diseases afflicting different systems. Urinary incontinence (UI) is involuntary leakage of urine. It is an undiagnosed, under-reported, and frequently untreated medical condition that greatlyaffects the quality of life of women in any age. Therefore, a literary search in classical literature of Greco-Arabic medicine for UI was explored to implement in current era. Material and Meticulous literature search was carried out to comprehend the concept of urinary incontinence described in ancient Unani literature. The classical Greco-Arabic medicine texts were searched. Further, browsing of PubMed/Google Scholar and other websites was carried by searching complementary and alternative treatment for urinary incontinence and herbal remedies useful in urinary incontinence. The causes of urinary incontinence described in Greco-Arabic texts are abnormal temperament of body or bladder, dislocation of vertebrae, pregnancy, diuretic, laxity o...

Review in the journal Medical History of
Robert Sigalea, La Medecine traditionnelle de l'Inde: doctrines preve'dique, vedique, ayurvedique, yogique et tantrique. Les empereurs moghols, leurs maladies et leurs medecins, Geneva, Editions Olizane, 1995.