KHUBS AL-ḤADĪD (IRON RUST): MINERAL ORIGIN DRUG OF A HIGH VALUE OF MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

Abstract

Unani System of Medicine is a treasure of remedies in which various medicinal compounds are widely prepared by using mineral, animal, and plant sources called Mawālīd Thalātha (three sources). Unani physicians used them in their day to day practice for the treatment of various ailments includes haemorrhoids, digestive problems, sexual weakness, gingivitis, pyorrhea, loosening of teeth etc. Khubs al-Ḥadīd (iron rust) is one of the most important drugs of the mineral source, which has profound application in pharmaceuticals as main ingredients in various compound formulations. This attempt has been made to accumulate all scattered literature in one place for easy and better understanding and to explore the importance of Khubs al-Ḥadīd (iron rust) and its safety profile with special reference to the therapeutic uses, adverse effect, detoxification and substitute as per Unani perspective along with its chemical constituents and pharmacological studies etc.

Full text

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Kalam et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
KHUBS AL-ḤADĪD (IRON RUST): MINERAL ORIGIN DRUG OF A
HIGH VALUE OF MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Mohd. Afsahul Kalam*1, Athar Parvez2 and Pervaiz Ahmad Dar3
1,2,3Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine, University of Kashmir, Naseembagh
Campus, Habak, Srinagar 190006, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
ABSTRACT
Unani System of Medicine is a treasure of remedies in which various
medicinal compounds are widely prepared by using mineral, animal,
and plant sources called Mawālīd Thalātha (three sources). Unani
physicians used them in their day to day practice for the treatment of
various ailments includes haemorrhoids, digestive problems, sexual
weakness, gingivitis, pyorrhea, loosening of teeth etc. Khubs al-
Ḥadīd (iron rust) is one of the most important drugs of the mineral
source, which has profound application in pharmaceuticals as main
ingredients in various compound formulations. This attempt has been
made to accumulate all scattered literature in one place for easy and
better understanding and to explore the importance of Khubs al-Ḥadīd
(iron rust) and its safety profile with special reference to the
therapeutic uses, adverse effect, detoxification and substitute as per Unani perspective along
with its chemical constituents and pharmacological studies etc.
KEYWORDS: Unani System of Medicine, Khubs al-Ḥadīd, Iren deficiency anemia.
INTRODUCTION
Unani System of Medicine is well documented Indian System of Medicine which is based on
the concept of four humours given by Hippocrates of Greece in 460-370 BC. According to
him, the diseases occur due to the imbalance of the body fluids called humours, which are
maintained by the drugs derived from natural resources i.e. Nabāt (plants), Mā’dan
(minerals) and Haiwān (animals) which are collectively known as Mawālīd Thalātha (three
sources). In Unani system of medicine there are descriptions of many mineral based
medicines under Adwiya ma’daniya (mineral origin drugs) which has a unique range of
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
SJIF Impact Factor 7.421
Volume 7, Issue 12, 624-631 Review Article ISSN 2278 – 4357
*Corresponding Author
Dr. Mohd. Afsahul Kalam
Regional Research Institute
of Unani Medicine,
University of Kashmir,
Naseembagh Campus,
Habak, Srinagar 190006,
Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Article Received on
16 October 2018,
Revised on 06 Nov. 2018,
Accepted on 27 Nov. 2018,
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps201812-12834

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economical, effective and precious medicines, particularly iron, lead, copper, gold, silver,
black salt, sulphur from minerals and metals; and diamond, agate, ruby etc. from gems. These
drugs have been used by Unani physicians since time immemorial to cure various ailments.
Among them, Khubs al-Ḥadīd is very well known drug obtained from mineral
source Ḥadīd (iron). Khubs al- Ḥadīd, the Arabic term is given due to the iron which
becomes rusted when it comes under the contact of air regularly for a long time. Its various
names like Tobal al-Ḥadīd (Arabic); Dross, Iron rust, impure oxide of Iron (English); Mandu,
Manduarā (Hindi); Charak-i-Āhan, Zang Āhan, Rim-i Āhan (Persian); Manduram (Sanskrit);
Lohe kā zang, Lohe ki mail (Urdu) etc.[1,2,3] also indicates toward this characteristic of the
iron. This rusted iron (Khubs al-Ḥadīd) is used medicinally after detoxification by a specific
method called tadbīr and maghsūl. After the detoxification process, it becomes useful for
medicinal purpose and has been used for the treatment of various ailments from the time
immemorial as such and as an ingredient in multidrug formulations. The survey of Unani
literature revealed that Khubs al-Hadid (iron rust) has a long history of its use as an important
drug for the treatment of the diseases in which the blood loss occurs viz. haemorrhoids,
menorrhagia etc. It is said to be better for medicinal use which becomes a hundred years
old. There are various other drosses are also found like, Khubs al-Nuḥās (copper dross),
Khubs al-Zahab (silver dross), Khubs al-raṣāṣ (lead dross), but the most siccative dross is the
Khubs al-Ḥadīd (iron dross) as mentioned by various Unani physicians.[1,4,5,6,7] There are
various methods to detoxify the Khubs al-Ḥadīd in which two types are described frequently
in the different text of Unani medicine. The first method is that small pieces of Khubs al-
Hadid heated in the charcoal fire until it becomes red and then immersed in Āb-i-
Tirphala (triphala juice) or Sirka naishkar (sugarcane vinegar) by holding each piece with a
tongue. It becomes mudabbar (detoxify) when the whole process is repeated seven times. The
second method is that the Khubs al-Ḥadīd ground to powder form and kept immersed
in Sirka naishkar (sugarcane vinegar) or Sharāb-i-angūri (brandy). The level of either of the
two should be 5 cm above the level of the powder. After 14 days, Sirka naishkar (sugarcane
vinegar) or Sharāb-i-angūri (brandy) is decanted, the powder is dried and fried in Roghan-i-
bādām (almond oil).[8] Since literature available on this important drug is very scant,
therefore, in the present paper an attempt has been made to compile the available information
on Khubs al-Hadid and its different formulations so as to bring to light the therapeutic
potential of this drug. Description in Unani literature: It consists of a mineral
source from hydrated iron oxides and iron oxide hydroxide which is available in the form of
particles. It obtained from the iron which is rusted after reaction of iron and oxygen in the

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presence of air and moisture when it is in open. After incineration the rust particle is
separated by hammering; these particles are called Khubs al-Ḥadīd, which is of dark red or
black coloured; taste is insipid, marred and astringent. The best quality is collected from the
iron rust which is found in ruined cities or destroyed villages on high rocks. In these places, it
is found in the form of pieces like coal having spores. The one which is about 4 years old is
said to be better. Particles separated from iron are used as medicine after processing in the
form of calx (Kushta) which is performed by a specific procedure called Kushtasāzi
(calcination). Sometimes it is used after detoxification by soaking its powder in vinegar and
then dried. The great Roman philosopher, Pliny considered the rusting of iron to be a penalty
of gods.[1,2]
Vernacular names: Arabic: Tobāl al-Ḥadīd; English: Iron dross, Iron rust, impure oxide of
Iron, Magnetite, Magnetic Iron Oxide; Hindi: Mandu, Mandurā; Marathi: loh ket; Persian:
Charak-i-Āhan, Zang Āhan, Rim-i-Āhan; Sansikrit: Manduram; Urdu: Lohe kā Zang, Lohe ki
mail etc. (8).
Temperament (mizaj): Its temperament is Hot[2] and dry[3][4], Iron and copper dross are dry
in the 3rd degree and all others are less in hotness.[3]
Action (af’al): It has Qābiḍ (astringent), Mujaffif (siccative), Habis (styptic), Muqawwi-i-
mi’da (stomachic), Muqawwi-i-jigar (hepato-tonic), Muqawwi-i-bāh (aphrodisiac),
Muqawwi-i-qalb (cardiac tonic), Muqawwi-i-dimāgh (brain tonic), Muqawwi-i-mathana
(tonic to urinary bladder), Muhallil Awram-i-Har (resolvent of hot inflammations), Mani’
ḥamal (anticonceptive), Mani’ Khūn Ḥayḍ, Mani’ nazfuddam (antihemorrhagic), Hābis-i-
bawl, Muwallid-i-dam (haemopoietic), etc. properties.[1,5,6,7]
Uses (Iste’malat): It is used for the treatment of Kathrat-i-tamth (menorrhagia), Fuqr al-dam
(anemia), Bawāsīr (bleeding piles), Ihtibās-i-tamth (amenorrhoea), Sura’t-i-inzāl (premature
ejaculation), Jaryān (spermatorrhoea), Riqqa al-mani (liquefied semen), Ishāl (diarrhoea),
Du‘f al-Jigar (hepatargia), chronic intestinal diseases, Quruh Am’ā (duodenal ulcer), Quruh
Mathana (ulcer in urinary bladder), Su-i-Hadm (dyspesia), Nafs al-dam (haemoptysis),
Didan-i-Am’ā (intestinal worms), Amrāz-i-ā’sāb (nervine diseases), Du‘f al-Bāh (sexual
weakness), Amrāz-i-gurda (renal diseases) especially Bawl-i-Abiyaz (albuminurea) and Du‘f
al-Gurda, Sals al-Bawl (frequency of micturition). It is a good remedy for Du‘f al-Am
(general weakness) and Yarqān (jaundice), Warm-i-littha (gingivitis), Littha-i-damiya

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(pyorrhea), loosening of teeth etc.[1,5,6,7,9] It dissolves hot swelling and useful in hardening of
eyelids. It absorbs moisture and removes atoney of the stomach and strengthens it by
removing fuzlat-i-mi’da, especially when taken with old nabidh or tilā (a kind of wine made
from gold).[3] It stops bleeding from piles particularly when the patient is given Ābzan (sitz
bath) in a mixture of the dross with the old nabidh. It prevents pregnancy and possesses a
unique property to normalize irregular menstruation. Its local application strengthens the anal
musculature.[3] It uses with Sikanjabin to reduce the toxicity produced by the Khāniq al-
namir (Aconitum paradalianches) poisoning. It also increases sexual power, and remove the
inflammation of spleen.[10] A drop made with charak-i-āhan in sirka angūri (grape vinegar) is
useful in otorrhoea, it stops the discharge from the ear due to the highly mujaffif (siccative)
property. With honey it is used as linctus and clears the voice; with egg yolk, it is used to
improve sex power. Locally the Khubs al-Ḥadīd maghsūl (detoxified iron rust by washing
after soaking in vinegar) is applied to remove Warm-i-hād (acute inflammation) and Injimād-
i-shīr (coagulation of milk) in the breast. It is taken in quantity of 4 ratti (500mg) with boiled
egg yolk for sexual weakness which occurs due to the cold.[1] In the case of menorrhagia, the
wool sprinkled with Khubs al-Ḥadīd is used as firzaja (suppository) to stops the excessive
bleeding.[1]
Dose (Miqdar Khurak): It is used in the quantity of 2-3 ratti (125-375 mg).[4]
Adverse effects (Mazarrat): It causes constipation and also produces harmful effects on the
lungs. It may be due to its hot and dry temperament and Qābiḍ (astringent), Mujaffif
(siccative) and Habis (styptic) properties.[4]
Corrective/s (Musleh): Khubs al-Ḥadīd has been described to be harmful to the lung,
therefore milk, ghee, katira (gum tragacanth), shahd (honey) and wet things are used as
corrective agents to reduce its harmful effect.[1,4,9] Since it possesses hot in the 2nd degree and
dry temperament in the 3rd degree, so to reduce its desiccative property a little, the drug is
combined with milk, ghee and wet things. It ensures the efficacy and safety of Khubs al-
Hadid.
Substitute/s (Badal): Khākastar post baiza (incinerated egg shells), Kushta Faulād (Iron
calx), Hālawn (Lipidium sativum) are used as the substitute and some mentioned Itrifal
Saghīr is a substitute for Khubs al-Ḥadīd.[1,9]

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Major compound formulations: Various compound formulations like Habb-i-
Sandarus, Habb-i-Khubs al-Ḥadīd, Itrifal Khabs al- Ḥadīd, Kushta Khubs al-Ḥadīd[11,12],
Mājūn Khubs al-Ḥadīd, Majun Muqawwi Mi’dā, Mājūn Murawwah al-Arwāḥ; Qurs
Salajit[11,12]; Sanūn Chobchīnī,[12], Sufūf Khubs al-Ḥadīd Mujarrab[13] are available in
which Khubs al-Ḥadīd is used as one of the most important ingredients, which are used for
the treatment of various ailments since time immemorial (see for detail in Table: 01).
Chemical constituents: Rust consists of hydrated iron (III) oxides Fe2O3·nH2O and iron (III)
oxide-hydroxide (Fe O (OH), Fe (OH) 3).[8]
Pharmacological studies: Clinically Khubs al-Ḥadīd is used in the form of Kushta (calx)
and used as an ingredient in various compound formulations such as Mājūn Fanjnosh, Mājūn
Murawwaḥ al-arwāḥ, Sūnūn Chobchīnī, Mājūn Khubs al-Ḥadīd etc. after detoxifying by
specific methods. Some formulations have been studied and the effect has been shown to be
promising on various diseases.
Haemoglobin enhancing effect of Mājūn Khubs al-Ḥadīd, an Unani compound formulation
containing Khubs al-Ḥadīd as one of the main ingredients, on the patient of Su’ al-Qinya
ba sabab qillat-i-fawlād (iron deficiency anaemia) was reported by Wasi et al., 2011.[14]
Sufūf Khubs al-Ḥadīd has been also studied on the patients of iron deficiency anaemia during
pregnancy and improvement was found same as the test drug Fefol capsule.[15]
Anti-diabetic effect of Dolabi, a herbomineral compound formulation containing Khubs al-
Ḥadīd as one of its constituents was reported by Rahul et al. 2012[16]; in vitro, anti-oxidant
activity with the IC50 value of 232.11µg /ml was also reported by the same researchers.[16]

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Table 01: Compound formulations of Khubs al-Hadid, with their doses, action and
indications.
S.N.
Compound
formulations
Doses
Action and indication
01.
Anushdaru
5-7gm
It is a gastric tonic, liver tonic, aphrodisiac
and avaricious drug and used for the
treatment of the weakness of stomach,
anemia, dropsy, incontinence of urine etc.[21]
02.
Dawa-i-Atiya
Allah
Per orally,
Dose not mentioned
It is an appetizer, sexual stimulant, diuretic,
antidote and used for the treatment of
hemorrhoids, indigestion, coldness of
stomach etc.[17]
03.
Habb-i-Khubs
al-Hadid
3 pills per orally two time
with water
It is used for the treatment of external
hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids,
weakness of kidney, chronic gonorrhea
etc.[12]
04.
Habb-i-
Sandaroos
1.5 to 3 g.
It has haemostatic action and used for the
treatment of bleeding piles.[19]
05.
Itrifal Khubs Al-
Hadid
2-10gm
Actions are carminative, stomachic, nerve
tonic and used for the treatment of
amenorrhea, hemorrhoids, loss of appetite,
flatulence, low backache etc.[19]
06.
Jawarish Khuzi
5-10gm twice a day
It is used for the treatment of weakness of
stomach and intestine[18]
07.
Kushta Khubs
al-Hadid
125-250mg per orally
with Jawarish Jalinus
It is a digestive tonic useful for liver and
stomach diseases, such as weakness of
stomach, hepatargia and anemia etc.[12, 20]
08.
Mājūn Khubs al-
hadid
3-7gm per orally at
morning with water or
Arq Gawzuban
It is used for the treatment of internal
hemorrhoids, weakness of stomach,
hepatargia and anemia etc.[12,20]
09.
Mājūn
Murawwah al-
Arwah
1gm with milk
It is used for the treatment of sexual
weakness, hepatargia, weakness of stomach,
mental disturbance etc.[12]
10.
Majun Muqawwi
Mi’da,
5 g twice a day
It is used for the treatment of weakness of
stomach, dyspepsia etc.[20]
11.
Qurs Salajit
2 tablets (each 260 mg)
It is used in general weakness,
spermatorrhoea, and frequency of
micturition etc.[20]
12.
Sufuf Khubs al-
Ḥadīd Mujarrab
6gm-10gm
It is used for the treatment of anemia[13]
13.
Sunun Chobchini
Locally as tooth powder
It is used for the treatment of gingivitis,
pyorrhea, loosening of teeth etc.[12]
CONCLUSION
Based on the information amassed as above, it can be concluded that the mineral and metal-
based medicines have always played a significant role in the healing practices in Unani
System of Medicine. However as compared to the ethnopharmacological documentation the

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therapeutic use of mineral and metal origin drugs have been little researched. The present
article is first ever attempted to document all scattered knowledge of Khubs al-Ḥadīd related
to its medicinal uses and clinical researches. Sufficient information in respect of
morphological, physicochemical and ethnomedicinal properties of Khubs al-Ḥadīd are
available but very few pharmacological and clinical studies have been conducted. So there is
a need for extensive scientific studies to validate most of the claims of traditional medicines
regarding Khubs al- Ḥadīd.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Authors are thankful to the library staff of Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine,
Srinagar for providing manuscripts, classical literature and other necessary materials on the
subject.
Contribution of the authors: All the authors equally contributed in the writing of this
manuscript.
Conflict of interest – None declared.
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