Al-Amal Al-Ehteqan [the enemata] an ancient way of complementary treatment

Enemata are the liquid preparations that are injected into the rectum and colon through anus. They are either intended to be returned or to be retained into the colon. Enema is an excellent treatment for removing superfluous matter from the bowels. It is the treatment of choice for intestinal colic. That's why it is called as Moalijah Al Fazilah [the Superfluous Therapy]. It allays pain and inflammation of the bowels, kidney, bladder and other pelvic organs. Enemas have been in practice from ancient time and helped to cure a lot of disorders like constipation, poisoning, acute headache, flu, common cold, meningitis, measles and many more. On the other hand enemas were largely practiced for many other therapeutic and diagnostic purposes also. Classical literature of Unani medicine describes enema in a scientific manner. Our ancestors had an ensuring experience in treating various kinds of disorders by this simple way. Unani scholars have mentioned even adiposgenous [Fattening] and aphrodisiac enemata. As per the necessities in the medical field enema has many types according to their mode of actions

Irsale Alaq [leech therapy] everything old is new again

Leeching [Irsale 'Alaq] is one of the oldest methods of treatment to cure the diseases. It has survived for more than 2000 years since the beginning of the scientific medicine. It is nothing but a unique method of removal of Mawaad-e-Fasidah [morbid matters] from the body. It draws blood from deeper tissues thus helping to treat ailments. The best leech should be used in order to get maximum benefits. To fully understand why leech therapy works in such a wide range of applications, one must realize that the therapeutic activity of leech therapy is not based on a single mechanism of action, but on a combination of multiple effects. During the process of feeding, leeches secrete a mixture of different biologically and pharmacologically active substances into the wound that deliver these main therapeutic benefits. It is used effectively in the management of non-healing ulcerative lesions like Diabetic ulcer, leprotic wound etc., as it helps to improve the local blood circulation. Besides these advantages this therapy is also useful in various skin disorders like eczema, pimples, and psoriasis etc. and used to treat abscess, cellulites, thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. Leech therapy rarely ever leads to serious complications. The local pain of treatment and short-term itching are regular side effects. Leech therapy should never be performed in patients suffering from diseases that affect the blood coagulation system, patients on immunosuppressive drugs, the elderly and immune deficient persons. For centuries leeches were the common tool of physicians, who believed that many disease were the result of imbalance in the body that could be stabilized by releasing blood

review on arusa [adhatoda vasica nees]

The drug Arusa has been used since very long time in Unani system of medicine. According to the classical Unani medical literature Arusa is an important drug for respiratory system. Many Unani physicians have described it as an effective drug for a variety of ailments, such as bronchitis, bronchial asthma and fever. There are various vernacular names of Arusa in different languages. In Arabic Hashishatus-sual, in English Malabar nut, in Hindi Bansa, in Kannada Adusoge, in Persian Bansa and in Urdu Arusa. It has antispasmodic, expectorant, bronchodilator, antitubercular, antiseptic, parasiticidal, anti-inflammatory, antiphlcgmatic, antibilious, uterine stimulant, antidote, digestive, appetizer, emmenagogue, anthelmintic, diuretic and antihypertensive activities. The alkaloids vasicine and vasicinone are potent bronchodilators. Vasakin a non-nitrogenous principle obtained from alcoholic extract is antidiabetic. Leaves are chiefly used in chest diseases particularly as expectorant and bronchial antiseptic, also regarded as useful in tuberculosis. The leaves dried and made into cigarettes are smoked in asthma. The leaves when smoked in a pipe give relief in asthma because it produces an ammoniacal vapour which makes breathing easier. Its hypotensive, bronchodilator, expectorant, hypoglycemic, antibiotic, antitubercular and uterine activities have been proved by experimental and clinical studies

Anti-diabetic drug profile of unani medicinal plants [a phytochemical approach]

Diabetes arises due to lack of insulin, which is secreted by beta cells of the pancreatic islets. Insulin regulates carbohydrates, triglycerides and protein metabolism and control entry of glucose into the blood. Insufficient insulin results in hyperglycemia and develops symptoms of diabetes. Unani physicians have mentioned this disease as Dulab. It means there is a continuous intake of water and excessive discharge of urine. In this disease normal temperature of liver is altered due to continuous mental tension, anxiety, frustration, anger, fear, weakness of the nervous system and use of excessive hot and cold foods and drinks. These predisposing factors alter the temperature of the liver, which in turn affects the kidney indirectly. In Tibb-e-Unani many medicinal plants and mineral origin drugs have been mentioned to control diabetes. Worldwide approximately 343 plants have been proven in the laboratory experiments to possess hypoglycemic activity. A large variety of compounds obtained from several plant families were found to be responsible for the hypoglycemic activity. These include flavonoids, xantheues, triterpenoids alkaloids, glycosides, alkyl-disulphide, amino butyric acid derivatives, guanidinc, polysaccharides and peptides. There are several possible mechanisms of action of these active principles and plant sources