Unani medicine for Eltehab-e-Kabid (Hepatitis)
Dr. Md. Shahjalal Chowdhury
Hepatitis is common disease in Bangladesh including globally. It is the inflammation of liver due to microorganism non-microorganism related factor. Some of Viral Hepatitis is a potentially life threatening condition as many of the affected individuals progress to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The experts of Unani Medicine have also described the causative factors, clinical features, and types of Hepatitis along with their management.
Epidemiology:
About 4%-7% of population have hepatitis B infection. About 3.5% of pregnant mothers in Bangladesh are carrying the hepatitis B virus. Those who have HbeAg. About 1%-3% of population of Bangladesh have
Hepatitis-C infection.
The probability of developing chronic disease is approximately 1-5% in HBV infected adults approximately 90-95% in infant. Hepatitis C progress to chronicity in infected 55-85% in infected individuals. 09 out of 10 people living with viral hepatitis are unaware.
Hepatitis in Unani Approach is as:
In Unani Medicine hepatitis is known as Warm-e- Kabid. During hepatitis their occurs excess accumulation of blood in the liver. After that blood oozes out from vessels due to which liver become inflamed, soft it surface become rashes.
The Mizaj of liver is hot moist, due to erratic dietary habit, excessive consumption of fatty food, drugs, its mizaj is altered to baarid (cold), haar (Hot) which is antagonistic to liver thereby allowing the accretion of morbid matter in the form fat (Tashahham ul Kabid) which affect the normal function of liver resulting Su-e- Mizaj baarid or Haar.
According to Modern Concept of Viral Hepatitis:
The commonest cause of Hepatitis is a viral infection. There are major viruses known to cause hepatitis. These are called as Hepatitis viruses and further classified into types A, B, C, D and E. Of these, the types B and C affect largest number of people and are the commonest cause of liver cirrhosis and cancer.
These viruses spread by contaminated food and water (A and E), contaminated medical instruments (B, C and D) and by sexual contact and mother to child (B).
Symptoms of Hepatitis:
Acute viral hepatitis is a short term condition and often may have no noticeable symptoms.2
When symptoms develop, they include the following:
High fever (100.4F or above)
Pallor or yellow discoloration of eyes/nails
Pain in muscle and joint pain
Feeling unusually tired all the time
loss of appetite
a general sense of feeling unwell
Pain in abdomen
Dark yellow urine
Pale, grey-colored stools
itchy skin
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of viral hepatitis A, B and C, are by symptoms, physical exam, blood tests for HAV, HBV, HCV test, (especially test to detect liver function), and other studies. Sometimes, imaging studies such as a sonogram or CT scan and a liver biopsy are also used.
Management of Hepatitis:
A) Usool-e-Illaj (Principles of Treatment)
Drugs are used for immune-restorative, hepato-protective treatment prophylaxis for opportunistic infection to stimulate physiological activities in the body
Drugs are also used to detoxify the liver with deleterious effect of daily encounter with air water, food borne toxins.
Drugs are used to relived congested catarrhal conditions of liver controls secretions bile.
Drugs are also used to inhibit liver cell injury enhance production of antibodies.
Drugs are also used to restorative immunity, vigor, vitality of the patient, to enable the patient to productive life.
B) Ilaj (Treatment):
Besides any type of diseases the approaches of treatment in Unani medicine is carried out by using one of fourth modes or with combination viz.
a. Ilaj bid Dawa (pharmacotherapy):
b.Ilaj bit Tadbeer (Regimental therapy):
c. Ilaj bit taghzia ( Dieto-therapy):
d. Ilaj bil Yad (surgical therapy):
Ilaj Bil Dawa (Drug Therapy):
Single drugs:
The drugs utilized in the treatment of hepatitis found to be very effective primarily involves a decoction constituted from six to seven plants namely, shahtara, Sarphokah, Chiraita, Gule Mundi, Sandal Surkh, Bhui Amla.
Other various extracts of drugs were further proved to be Hepato-tonic, Hepato-protective, Anti-inflammatory in vitro as wel as in vivo studies like Bhui Amla, Tukhme Kashi, Revand Chini, Sumbuluttib, Mako etc.
Nuskha : (Afsantin Naushadar)
Afsantin 6 g Naushadar 500 mg grind with 120 ml water keep on fire. When the water gets separated, remove it from fire strain. Take as such in the morning.
Compound drugs:
Any one or two of the following medicine should be intake or according Unani physician advice:
Majoon -e-Dabeedul Ward , 10 gram of it may be taken at the bed time.
Safoof e Jigarin , 5gr along with arq zeera 20 ml two times per day
Tab Kabid Naushaduri: 1 -2 tablet twice daily
Jawarish Anarain , 7gm twice daily
Tab: Iktarin, 1 -2 tablets twice daily
Syrup Alkuli (Buzuri), 20 ml two times per day with water
Syrup Icturn (Dinar), 1 -2 tablet twice daily
Ark Mako, 20 ml two times per day with water
Capsule Livec, 1 -2 capsule twice daily
Qurs-e-afsanteen 1 -2 tablet twice daily
Ilaj Bil Ghiza (Dieto-Therapy):
Avoid oily food
Light and easily digestible diet should be prescribed for liver patients
Illaj Bil Tadbeer (Regimental Therapy)
It also plays an important role in Hepatitis management, which includes
Kasrat Riyazat (excess of exercise),
Dalak Khishan (rough massage),
Fasad (venesection),
Massage with Muhallil Roghaniyat (Medicated Oil for anti-inflammatory).
The writer can be reached at: [email protected]
