Mohamed Shiffa

University of Colombo · Unani Clinical Medicine

Objectives: Continuous and excessive secretion of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory chemicals and cytokines may further deteriorate inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs play an imperative role in inhibiting the evolution of inflammatory diseases. As per the Unani doctrine, a holistic treatment approach is used to treat illnesses. Therefore,...

Background: Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Darchini), Alpinia galanga (Khulanjan), and Withania somnifera (Asgand) have been used in joint diseases by Unani scholars since long. The combination of these ingredients may be more effective than they are given alone as these drugs are having potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic and rejuvenating pro...

Abstract: Introduction: Elwa (Aloe barbadensis / Aloe vera) is also known as Sibr in Unani medicine, which is dried juice obtained by the inspissations and used to treat many diseases, especially digestive disorders, arthritis, gastric ulcer, jaundice, amenorrhoea, kidney diseases, diseases of spleen and liver, constipation, nervine disorders, woun...

Over the past years, it has become more apparent that the kidneys are seriously affected by variety of chemicals and therapeutic agents. Meanwhile, herbal medicines have shown great potential in curing several illness and disease of human being since long; because, they are easily available, effective and safe with few side effects.The aim of this...

Kulanjan (Alpinia galanga) is a rhizomatous perennial herb used in traditional systems of medicine especially in Unani medicine. It is used as a single drug or as a compound medicine and it has actions such as expectorant, nerve stimulant, digestive, appetizer, stomachic, cardiac tonic, carminative, etc. The aim of this study is to gather rele...

Joint diseases in Unani System of Medicine are categorized under the broad term ‘Waja-ulMafasil’. This terminology is used for all types of arthritis. “Waja” means pain and “Mafasil” means joints in Arabic. Hence, Waja-ul-Mafasil means pain in joints. Ibn-e-Sina has used Waja-ul-Mafasil for pain, inflammation, accumulations, depositions and other...

Kulanjan (Alpinia galanga) is a rhizomatous perennial herb used in traditional systems of medicine especially in Unani medicine. It is used as a single drug or as a compound medicine and it has actions such as expectorant, nerve stimulant, digestive, appetizer, stomachic, cardiac tonic, carminative, etc. The aim of this study is to gather rele...

The seed of Cucumis melo Linn. is having diuretic, lithotriptic, laxative, demulcent and cooling properties. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of methanolic extract of Cucumis melo (ME-CM) seed kernel in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. The ME-CM was administrated orally (190 mg/kg/d) for 8 day...

Usr e tams (Dysmenorrhea) is defined as painful menstrual cramps with or without any demonstrable pelvic pathology. It is stated to be the single commonest cause of the female absenteeism from school, college and workplaces that affects almost 50% of women with regular menstruation. In conventional medicine, pain and symptoms are control by giving...

Parsiyoshan (Maidenhair) is a graceful delicate fern with worldwide distribution. It (Adiantum cappilis-veneris L.) belongs to the family Polypodiaceae. In Sanskrit, it is named as Hansapadi. The word Hansapadi is derived from Hansa, which means geese, and padi, the foot. The segments of the leaves resemble feet of geese. It has been in use for cen...

Strychinus nuxvomica (SN) is an evergreen and medium sized deciduous tree, usually 15-20 m high and up to 70 cm diameter. The fruits are globose, 2.5-5cm. in diameter, orange red when ripe containing many discoid, compressed coins likes seed in fleshy pulp. Seeds are used for therapeutic purposes. The objective of the present investigation was deve...

Unani healing system employs a holistic approach in prevention and treatment of diseases. This system of medicine emphasizes six essentials prerequisites (Asbab-e-Sitta-e-Zarooriya) that have been laid down for the promotion of health and prevention of disease. Among them food is one of the prerequisites. Ancient Unani physicians gave much importan...

Althaea rosea L. (AR) seeds are commonly used in renal disorders in Unani medicine. Hence, the present study was aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective activity of methanolic extract of AR seed (ME-AR) and its chloroform soluble (CHSF) and insoluble (CHIF) fractions in gentamicin-induced renal oxidative damage in Albino rats. The rats were divided...

The Unani Materia Medica is a rich storehouse of thousands of drugs. These drugs have been attributed with various properties, actions and find their application in the treatment of number of diseases. In this book, an attempt has been made to summarize important information of the single drugs in a nut shell for quick and easy reference. This boo...

Recently, there has been a shift in the universal trend of medicine selection from synthetic to herbal medicine, which we can say “Return to Nature”. Medicinal plants have been known for millennia and are highly esteemed all over the world as a rich source of therapeutic agents for the prevention of diseases and ailments. In Sri Lanka though the Un...

Cancer is a significant global healthcare problem with an estimated worldwide incidence of 10 million new cases per year and morbidity is high with > 7 millions death per year. Among that breast cancer is a major public health challenge is often associated with high morbidity. The goal of carcinoma treatment is first to eradicate the cancer. In las...

Preface Ilaj bit Tadbeer (Regimenal therapy) is a unique method of treatment in Unani medicine for the preservation of health as well as for curing the illnesses. This therapy is composed on many fundamental concepts of Unani medicine. We realize that there is a lack and malpractice in regimenal therapy as there is no sufficient resource materials....

Abstract The influence of lifestyle on human health is of worldwide increasing concern. Disease profile is changing rapidly. Currently, lifestyle disorders are becoming more problem, and policy makers are working on that. It draws major concern because it affects younger working community. Therefore, it would reduce the productivity of the entir...

The most common cause for limiting mob ility of the elderly people is j oint disease , especially knee osteo arthritis. I t is the major cause of disability and socioeconomic burden at present . Qurs - e - mafasil is a Unani poly herbal compound formulation mentioned in a Unani pharmacopeia , Qarabadeen - e - Majeedi . In which it is recommended fo...

Khatmi (Althaea officinalis), commonly known as Marsh Mallow is one of the important medicinal plant used in Unani medicine. Khatmi is a perennial plant with light brown coloured, long and thick root, ovate-cordate, slightly toothed leaves and pale pink or pale purple coloured flowers. Root, leaves, flowers and seeds are mainly used in medicine. Al...

The Unani system of medicine originated from Greece. Hippocrates is the father of medicine who initiated the humoural theory. Then Arab and Persian physicians like Rhazes, Avicenna constructed and developed this system. The aim of this study is to provide comprehensive review in cupping therapy which is now practiced effectively worldwide. This rev...

Cucumis melo which is commonly known as musk melon belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae and it is known as kharbuzah in Unani medicine. It is an annual climbing or creeping herb with angular, scabrous stem, simple soft hairy orbicular-reniform leaves and bears tendrils, by which it is readily trained over trellises. The aim of this review is to expl...

Khatmi (Althaea officinalis), commonly known as Marsh Mallow is one of the important medicinal plant used in Unani medicine. Khatmi is a perennial plant with light brown coloured, long and thick root, ovate-cordate, slightly toothed leaves and pale pink or pale purple coloured flowers. Root, leaves, flowers and seeds are mainly used in medicine. Al...

Althaea rosea is a stately ornamental plant, producing large single, semi-double, double or frilled flowers of many colours belongs to the family Malvaceae. It is commonly known as Hollyhock. The aim of this review is to reveal the comprehensive information about Althaea rosea, to highlight the areas of research have been carried out in this d rug...

Breast milk has been considered as the "gold standard" of infant nutrition in world wide. The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for infants up to six months as the normal infant feeding method. Prolactin is the hormone responsible for the production of milk. Though many women can produce enough milk to meet their infant's...

The influence of lifestyle on human health is of worldwide increasing concern. Disease profile is changing rapidly. Currently, lifestyle disorders are becoming more problem, and policy makers are working on that. It draws major concern because it affects younger working community. Therefore, it would reduce the productivity of the entire nation. It...

IntroductionHistorically physicians have used leech therapy for various ailments. Hirudo medicinalis is commonly used in western countries for medicinal purpose and in other parts of the world, different species are used. In India, Hirudinaria granulosa species is used traditionally for this purpose. Although this treatment approach has been used f...

Cucumis melo Linn. (family cucurbitaceae) is extensively cultivated throughout India particularly in the hot and dry NorthWestern areas. Its fruit pulp, root, seeds and seed oil are used for medicinal purposes. In Unani medicine, the seed kernel is commonly used to treat various disease conditions. Seeds are having diuretic, lithontriptic, laxative...

Bloodletting is an ancient therapy and is being practiced in terms of leech therapy as well as cupping with scarification for treating various illnesses. According to Unani classics many diseases are the result of imbalance of body humors and that can be brought in equilibrium by releasing blood. Leech therapy has remained a popular option among Un...

‘Qurse mafasil’ is a Unani poly herbal formulation mentioned in Qarabadeen-e-Majeedi (which is now a part of National Formulary of Unani Medicine, India), commonly prescribed for rheumatic conditions. This formulation contains three ingredients Curcuma longa Linn., Colchium luteum Baker. and Acacia arabica Willd. These herbals have anti-inflammator...

Melasma is a cosmetic problem that sometimes cause great emotional suffering. One survey showed that melasma was associated with a significant impact on health related quality of life. It is defined as a disorder of pigment metabolism characterized by sharply demarcated, blotchy, brown maculae, usually symmetrical on the cheeks, forehead, sometimes...

Althaea rosea belongs to the family Malvaceae. It is an erect, simple or sparingly branched, stellately hairy, annual or biennial herb and 0.5-2.0 m in height. The seeds of this plant having anti-pyretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent and analgesic properties. In present era, the adulteration has become a major problem due to unavailabilit...