The First International Online Conference on Integrative Medicine

The First International Online Conference on Integrative Medicine and Clinical Practice Subject: Integrative Medicine and COVID-19 May, 30 2020/10: 00– 16: 00 (Tehran Time Zone) Potentials of Unani Medical Science to curb the menace of COVID-19: A Scientific Appraisal Presented by Dr. Abdul Aziz Khan Assistant Professor (Stage II) Department of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib (Preventive and Social Medicine), Faculty of Unani Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India E-mail: abdulaziznium@gmail. com; Phone: +919760893505 https: //www. amu. ac. in/dshowfacultydata. jsp? did=126&eid=10055118

Introduction • COVID-19 is the most recently discovered coronavirus infection during outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. • The most common symptoms are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. • Less common symptoms include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or skin rash. • No medicine yet has been shown to prevent or cure the disease.

Perspective of Unani Medical Science • The Unani Medical Science conceptualizes the health and disease based on the constitution of human body called as Mizaj (temperament) and Akhlat (humours). It possesses a strong base in the understanding of the causation (viz. Predisposing, Constitutional and External) and Salutogenic perspective of Health and management of the diseases. • Humma-e-Waba (Epidemic Fever) or Nazla-e-Wabai (Epidemic Flu) is the similar term used in classical texts of Unani Medical Science for the widespread transmission of disease having similar clinical manifestations which are caused by extreme abnormal conditions of air, earth & weather. • Transmission of such infection largely affects those individuals who have Akhlate Raddiya (metabolic wastes/co-morbidities ) in their bodies.

“We cannot say this loudly enough or clearly enough or often enough: All countries can still change the course of this pandemic” —DR. TEDROS ADHANOM GHEBREYESUS, WHO’s DIRECTOR GENERAL

Proposed Prevention and Management Protocols Ø Unani System of Medicine is a Holistic Medicine that approaches the health challenges taking human as a Bio-Socio-Psychological Unit. It offers well integrated stepwise plan for treating a disease. Individualization of treatment with respect to age, temperament, occupation and season is the hallmark of this ancient art of healing. Ø The proposed management for COVID-19 includes observation, maintenance of vital functions, immunoboosters (Khamira Marwareed, Kalonji, Darchini, Laung Badam, Filfil safed) , antidotes (Jadwaar, Kafoor), maintenance of Six Essential Factors (Asbabe Sitta Zarooriya) Ø Unnab, sapistan, Ustkhuddus, khatami, khabbazi, khayare shambar, gauzaban, banafsha, filfilsiyah, zanzabeel are the single unani drugs for the purpose. Ø Sharbat Unnab, Sharbat Khahsi, Sharbat Zoofa Murakkab, Khamira Gaozaban, Arqe Gao zuban, Joshanda-e-Nazla Haar etc. are specific compound formulation while Qairooti Arde Karsna may be applied locally over chest. Ø Hippocrates stated that when the air become contaminated with infective material humors become morbid and for that Sanai Makki (Senna) is the best drug to purge the morbid matter.

Apart from maintaining sanitation measures and Isolation, other points may also be helpful in fighting against COVID-19 like: Ø Consumption of freshly prepared food in small quantity frequently. Ø Plenty of fluids and beverages made up of fragrant and citrus food materials like Sharbat Sandal, Sharbat Aaloo Bukhara, Sharbat Kewda, Sharbat Faalsa, Sharbat Lemoni, Sikanjbeen etc. Ø Smelling spices like clove, cardamom and taking Barley water in days of Waba (Peak days of Epidemic) Ø Ø Preventive drugs like Tiryaqe Arba’a, Saffron and Arqe Ajeeb can be proved very beneficial to the persons who are expected to be exposed to COVID-19 patients (especially Doctors, Health workers, Nurses etc). Avoid constipation as abnormal retention of fecal matter leads to infection.

Living areas, quarantine centers and hospitals • • • Fumigation with fragrant and antiseptic materials like Lobaan, Kafoor, Neem leaves, Gandhak, Chandan etc Sprinkling of Vinegar, rose water, Arq-e-kewda, khas, neem and tulsi leaves. Pieces of Gandhak can be added in water tanks.

It can be concluded that Unani Medical System has a huge base of natural drug products and is a culture friendly system serves an important filling gap in this scenario. More over the limitations of the present system has compelled the civilized societies to turn to this natural system which synchronizes well with the evolutionary adoptive measures of human race. The Unani Medical Science has Potentials which can be scientifically appraised to curb the menace of COVID-19. THANKS!