Dalak [Massage] A Unique Regimen of Unani Medicine

Ancient Unani scholars described various modes of treatment; Ilaj-bil-Tadbeer [Regimental Therapy] is one of them. This type of therapy is applied for treatment as well as prevention of certain diseases. Dalak is an important class of regimental therapy. It is an emerging trend in present world health scenario. People want to get relief by alternative medicine as compared to modern chemical drugs, which are harmful and injurious to health. It includes light or hard stroking, compression [kneading, squeezing, friction, percussion, etc.]. The concept of massage has been valid since prehistoric times. It probably evolved from the instinctive contact among human beings. Later, intellectual development led to its integration into various systems of medicine. Ancient Unani scholars described dalak, especially for joints and muscle ailments, which were later extended to relieve deformities of arthritis and refresh/functionalize muscles following paralysis. Great Unani physicians like Razi, Ibn Sina and Ibn Rushd etc. have discussed this subject in detail. Dalak enhances body circulation and also improves movement of particular organs.

Biodegradation of cypermethrin by pseudomonas in a batch activated sludge process

The biodegradation of Cypermethrin [20 to 125 mg/L] in an effluent using batch activated sludge was studied. Degradation was found to occur to a great extent only in the presence of Pseudomonas [IES-Ps-1] culture. Under aerobic conditions using mechanical aerators, Cypermethrin [20 mg/L] was almost completely degraded in just over 48 h at ambient temperature. Further loading of organic compound in subsequent experiments demonstrated that IES-PS-1was capable to degrade 82% Cypermethrin at 40 mg/L dose in approximately 48 h. When the concentration was increased to 80 mg/L, 50% degradation of this compound was observed. Over this time period the cells could utilize only 17% of Cypermethrin when it was given 125 mg/L, respectively. These findings indicate that increased concentration of Cypermethrin has a marked effect on biodegradation performance of IES-Ps-1 with a modest increased in the duration of lag phase, but did not lead to complete inhibition or cell death. These results proved that IES-Ps-1 is responsible for Cypermethrin degradation. Such finding may be useful in designing a scale-up in situ or on-site hazardous waste bioremediation process for field application