Dr Touseef Khalil Kamal
Since December 2019, world is facing a respiratory pandemic named Coronavirus. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The term epidemic was coined by Hippocrates who is considered the father of Unani medicine which is based on four humours. In the Unani System of Medicine (USM) equivalent term for the epidemic is Wab?’. In classical Unani literature symptoms of Nazla-i-Wab?’iyya and Humma-i-Wab?’iyya closely resemble the symptoms of COVID-19. Major manifestations of this outbreak are cough, fever, headache, nausea, and breathlessness. This pandemic takes place due to a change in the quality of the surrounding air. We searched different databases electronically using the terms ‘COVID-19 or Coronavirus’, ‘Wab?› or infectious disease’, ‘Unani immunomodulators’, ”Herbal immunomodulators”, ”Anti-viral herbal drugs”, Herbal fumigation and ‘Nazla-i-Wab?’iyya or Nazla Wab?’?’. We reviewed the concept of Wab?’, its prevention, and management strategies available in USM. The emergence of Covid-19 has caused a large global outbreak and is a major public health issue. COVID-19 is that it is highly contagious mainly transmitted by droplets and fomitus. Till date there is no defined protocol for management of COVID-19 in these times of crises. The present control strategies of the disease include interrupting the mode of transmission, reduction of secondary infections by early diagnosis and isolation of cases, providing optimal care to infected patients, and the development of effective diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic strategies, including vaccines. Holistic approach of AYUSH systems of medicine gives focus on prevention through lifestyle modification, dietary management, prophylactic interventions for improving the immunity and simple remedies based on presentation of the symptoms. In Unani medicine, there is detailed description of wabah (epidemic), Alahidagee (Isolation) and Quarantine. It was Hippocrates who coined the term quarantine and advised restriction of movement for forty days to the suspects. Asbab-e-Sittah Zarooriyah (Six essentials of life) one of the basic principles of Unani can play an important in overall development of immunity of a person and prevention of disease which will be discussed in full length paper. Fumigation of surroundings with herbs, use of modified and specific diets and Unani drugs to enhance quwat-e-mudabar-e-badan (innate immunity) can play an important role to fight this covid-19 pandemic.
Health experts are time and again insisting on boosting our immunity. Although it has not been proved whether strong immunity helps in treating the novel Coronavirus or not, it may help you have an overall better health. While some people are blessed with good immunity, others are resorting to various natural ways to strengthen their stamina, immune system and overall health. Many of us are practicing regular yoga, breathing exercises and more and even trying natural concoctions like herbal teas, drinks and kadhas. Speaking about kadha, it will not be an exaggeration if we term it to be one of the oldest and treasured medicinal secrets of India. It is basically a mix of various traditional herbs and spices that help us to keep strong from within.
These herbs also help increase the production of interferons (proteins) and antibodies to generate an immune response against viruses and increase the rate of phagocytosis to destroy microorganisms, thus, increasing immunity from containing viral infections. Dr Shahid Badar, BUMS from Aligarh is an Internal Medicine Specialist and has over 15 years of experience in the medical field (An Unani physician). One of the best Unani Physicians I have ever seen. He is also my GURU (teacher) after discussing with him, advice me to prescribe the Unani kadha (Joshanda-e- Badar) to the patients. Here we bring you an easy immunity- boosting Unani Kadha (Joshanda-e- Badar) recipe that can be prepared with some herbs like 6 gm-Afsanteen, 6 gm-Giloy and 6 gm-Chiraita.
My Personal Views: When I (Dr. Touseef Khalil Kamal) Classical Unani Physician become Covid-19 Positive (With all Sign Symptoms like Fever, Cough, Chest Congestion, Breathing problems etc.) I started Consuming Unani Kadha (Joshanda-e- Badar) Personal formulation twice a day and take proper rest, has helped me to survive against this deadly viral disease and become negative after 15 days (Without taking any Antibiotic). I also prescribed this Unani kadha to so many patients during this pandemic and the result is unbelievable. (My COVID-19 report and one more report of my Patient are attached with this Article for your reference). In view of the recent surge of COVID-19 trajectory in many countries, it is necessary to take requisite measure to tackle with this deadly disease. Outbreaks of respiratory viral infections like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Middle-East Respiratory Syndrome, and Coronavirus Disease-2019 have been a regular occurrence in the past many years. A significant proportion of the morbidity and mortality in influenza is attributed to the co-morbidities and complications induced by the disease, involving the vital organs and physiological functions. In this context, traditional medicines offer effective protective, palliative, and therapeutic benefits, as observed in several studies on various types of influenza, including COVID-19. The Unani herbal decoction comprising of ‘Unn?b (Ziziphus jujuba Mill. fruit), Sapist?n (Cordia dichotoma G. Forst. fruit), and Beh?d?na (Cydonia oblonga Mill. seed) was originally prescribed by Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868-1927 AD) for various respiratory ailments as a bronchodilator, anti-inflammatory, and for clearing the respiratory tract. During COVID-19, the decoction was prescribed by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), Government of India, for mild patients in home isolation, and also as a self-care drink for healthy people. Preliminary studies are of the view that the decoction could reduce COVID-19 incidence and prevent severe disease in the population where it was administered.
(The author is a Unani Physician).
