Tiryaq-I-Afayee (A Polyherbal Formulation) of Unani Medicine Used in the Prevention of Wabāi Amrād (Epidemic/ Pandemic Diseases) – An Appraisal

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tiryaq-i-Afayee, a polyherbal formulation of Unani medicine used in the prevention and treatment of various wabāi amrād (epidemic/ pandemic diseases) since olden days. This review study has been carried out to explore the therapeutic efficacy of this formulation in the light of scientific studies. MATERIALS & METHODS: A total of 74 literature comprising classical Unani texts from the period of 9th – 20th century AD, and published research articles in various reputed journals from 1999 – 2020 AD were reviewed regarding immunomodulatory, antiviral, antiinfluenza, antioxidant, antitussive, antimicrobial effects of Tiryaq-iAfayee, as a whole preparation and its individual ingredients. RESULTS:Tiryaq-i-Afayee contains Sibr Zard (Aloe vera) (2 parts), Murr Makki (Commiphora myrrha) (1 part) and Zafran (Crocus sativus) (1 part). It is prepared in the form of pill, and 2 g is used in alternate day for prevention and management of epidemic diseases. All the three ingredients of this compound formulation belong to plants and individually used for various medicinal purposes. DISCUSSION: A study revealed that Tiryaq-i-Afayee possesses significant immunomodulatory effect in a small group of immuno compromised persons. An ethanol extract of Aloe vera exhibited antiinfluenza effect against influenza A virus due to presence of aloe-emodine (anthraquinone glycoside). Certain studies have reported that Commiphora myrrha possesses significant antioxidant and antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Another study has revealed that Saffron extract exhibited promising antiviral activity due to presence of crocin and picrocrocin. CONCLUSION: The aforementioned classical and modern conventional materials have given plentiful information regarding use of Tiryaq-i-Afayee in the prevention of epidemic/ pandemic diseases.

Sublingual route of drug administration in unani medicine: A historical perspective

“…Hence, the main aim of a Unani physician is to restore the balance primarily by aiding bodily faculties' viz. Tabī'at Mudabbir-i-Badan (Medicatrix naturae) [1] .…”