Understanding COVID-19 in the light of epidemic disease described in Unani medicine

Abstract

Unani system of medicine is based on the humoral theory postulated by Hippocrates, according to him the state of body health and disease are regulated by qualitative and quantitative equilibrium of four humours. Amraz-e-Waba is an umbrella term which is used in Unani medicine for all types of epidemics (smallpox, measles, plague, Hameer Saifi, influenza, Nipaha, Ebola, Zika, and 2019 novel coronavirus, etc.) mostly fatal in nature. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a severe acute respiratory infection, and the pathogenesis and clinical features resemble with those of Nazla-e-Wabaiya (influenza) and Zatul Riya (pneumonia) which were well described many years ago in Unani text such as high-grade fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, running nose, dry cough, respiratory distress, alternate and small pulse, asthenia, foul smell from breath, insomnia, frothy stool, syncope, coldness in both upper and lower extremities, etc. The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a global emergency pandemic. Unani scholars like Hippocrates (370–460 BC), Galen (130–200 AD), Rhazes (865–925 AD), and Avicenna (980–1037 AD) had described four etiological factors for Amraz-e-Waba viz., change in quality of air, water, Earth, and celestial bodies, accordingly mentioned various preventive measures to be adopted during epidemics such as restriction of movement, isolation or “quarantena”, and fumigation with loban (Styrax benzoin W. G. Craib ex Hartwich.), sandalwood (Santalum album L.), Zafran (Crocus sativus L.), myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), and roses (Rosa damascena Mill.) and use of vinegar (sirka) and antidotes (Tiryaq) as prophylaxis, and avoiding consumption of milk, oil, sweet, meat, and alcohol. This review focuses and elaborates on the concept, prevention, and probable management of COVID-19 in the light of Amraz-e-Waba.

Efficacy of the Unani Regimen as an Add-On to Standard Treatment in Hospitalised RT-PCR-Confirmed Mild to Moderate COVID-19 Patients: An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial

“…We found that Damwi mizaj (sanguine temperament) was seen predominantly in all patients irrespective of the treatment given. Sanguine is considered a combination of two qualities; hot and moist and according to the Unani concept, infectious disease developed due to abnormal dominance of hot (Hararat), moist (Ratoobat), and microbes ( Ajsam-e-Khabisa) [29]. The finding suggested that people of sanguine temperament was associated with increased susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”

Implications of Unani medicine in the management of Covid-19: An overview

“…but the clinical features of COVID-19 resemble with those of Nazla-e-Wabaiya, a type of Amraze-Waba (epidemic disease) which was well described many years ago in Unani text such as high-grade fever, headache, nausea and vomiting, running nose, dry cough, respiratory distress, alternate and small pulse, asthenia, foul smell from breath, insomnia, frothy stool, syncope, coldness in both upper and lower extremities, etc. [4,5] Although the majority of people with COVID-19 have uncomplicated or mild illness (81%), some will develop severe illness requiring oxygen therapy (14%) and approximately 5% will require intensive care unit treatment. Of those critically ill, most will require mechanical ventilation [6] .…”

“…• The diet which is not easily digestible, hot, spicy and oily diet should be avoided. • Sweets, alcohol, and meat of fish should be avoided [5] .…”

“…Add jaggery or lemon juice into decoction for taste and take sips in evening or as and when required [15] . d. Gargle with decoction of barge toot (5), maghzfloos khyarshambar (10-20gm) in case of sorethroat. e. If patient having problem in difficulty in breathing then adviced of Laooq katan (6gm), inhalation of Arq ajeeb (2-5 drops) [7] .…”