Role of Unani Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Waba (Epidemics) including COVID-19: A Review

Abstract

Mankind has faced many hardships like natural disaster, drought and epidemics. Study focuses on epidemics caused by microbes.Unani medicine has a long experience in treating epidemic diseases because its history is as old as the history of human being itself. More or less entire of the civilisations throughout the history became the basis for evolution of Unani medicine. Hippocrates (460-380BC) regarded it asbothart and science, discussed the epidemics and wrote a book on Epidemics. Body is assumed healthy when the humours are balanced. So, Unani scholars have rightly said Fa’il (Active agent) is not able to produce any change (Actions & Reactions) in the body without the prior presence of Munfa’il(Pertinent) having the capacity to accept it like in Waba(epidemic). The aim is to explore the fundamental concept of Waba from the Unani literature and understand COVID-19 in reference to existing literature of Unani medicine. The literature of Unani medicine was surveyed for concept of Waba(Epidemic) & related concepts. Internet was used to access indexed papers using search engines like Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, etc. Logical preventive strategies like quarantine, and useof fumigants, prophylactic drugs are mentioned in Unani literature that have been used in epidemics with flue like symptoms. This knowledge and experience may be used for achieving methods for prophylaxis, cure or add on therapeutic measures for COVID-19 epidemic.

Qust Al Hindi (Saussurea Lappa): A Narrative Review of Its Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Potential Against Covid-19

“…Using North Blotting and human in vivo detection dose-dependent (IC50 value were 1.0 and 2.0 mmol assays, two substances of costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone, inhibited Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was expressed in the liver cancer a HepA2 cell line derived from HepG2 cells. Bsed on observation, it was demonstrated that the tested substances showed significant HBV acitivity [36,67].…”

Management of epidemics diseases with special reference to COVID 19

“…Management of diarrhea: habb-ul aas (Myrtus communis L., Myrtaceae) and tabasheer (Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss, Poaceae) are also prescribed. Relieve thirst: Sheera tukhm e kahu (Lactuca sativa L., Compositae, seed paste) is given [2,5,15,24] . If pneumonia or pleurisy occurs, qairooti aarad karsana (10 g), Ayarig /Sibr/Aloe vera L. sap (1 g) and C. sativus L. stamen (1 g) are crushed, mixed and warmed slightly, then they are applied on the chest wall and covered with a cotton bandage Marham (Ayarig) warm local application [2,5] .…”

“…If pneumonia or pleurisy occurs, qairooti aarad karsana (10 g), Ayarig /Sibr/Aloe vera L. sap (1 g) and C. sativus L. stamen (1 g) are crushed, mixed and warmed slightly, then they are applied on the chest wall and covered with a cotton bandage Marham (Ayarig) warm local application [2,5] . To strengthening to the body organs: Khamira Gauzaban Ambari Jawaharwala 12 gm or Khamira Gauzaban 12 gm with silver foil paper [6,24] .…”