Asthma treatment in Unani Medicines

Leukoderma and its Unani Approaches

Diseases affecting the skin are common in today’s world as the normal routine of people are affected by their hectic work schedule leading to not caring for themselves and specially their skin routines. Along with this, as the urban world is moving more towards the use synthetic cosmetic and skin care products, to which our skin is responding in a negative way thus leading to severe andsometimes life-threatening diseases, that can severely impact the quality of life of a person. This can be seen by the fact that people with skin disease can sufferthe effects of social stigma, often brought about by the ill-informedunderstanding of others with respect to skin diseases, particularlyas regardsvisually disfiguring skin changes or discolouration of skin and people assume that they are contagious in nature and can spread through touching or being around them.

Leukoderma or Barsis

a condition of disfiguration and discolouration of the upper layer of the skin, and is characterized by pearly white patches.

Leukoderma is the name given to white patches on the skin. These patches are due to the partial or total loss of skin pigmentation or depigmentation. Leukoderma is sometimes spelled leucoderma. It is also called achromoderma.

There are many causes of leukoderma, some of which include:

• Congenital causes
• Immunological causes
• Post-inflammatoryd
• Thermal burns
• Dermatitis (eczema)
• Psoriasis
• Cutaneous lupus erythematosus
• Lichen sclerosis
• Infection
• Leprosy
• Lichen planus
• Syphilis

Many people with vitiligo also have a personal or family history of autoimmune disease, suggesting that vitiligo has an autoimmune cause. It sometimes "runs in families”, suggesting that genetics may play a role in this disease. People with vitiligo often report that its onset was related or started due to a specific triggering event, such as injury, illness, sunburn, emotional stress, or pregnancy. However, there are currently no data supporting that these factors cause vitiligo.

There is no cure for vitiligo, but available treatments may stop its progression and induce varying degrees of re-pigmentation. Treatment options varydepending on severity and preference and may include topical, systemic, and/or light-based therapies. A combination of therapies is usually more effective than a single therapy. Despite the availability of treatment, the course of the condition and response to treatment are unpredictable.

Presently, various types of treatment are available in the form of tropical applications, phototherapy, lasers and UV therapy, but they are less satisfactory and often leads to side effects too. On the other hand, the patient finds it costly and not easily accessible too.

Several ancient scholars and practitioners of Unani Medicine have given a full detailed description of this disorder. The father of medicine, Buqrat (Hippocrates) was the first one to define Bars. Besides him, other scholars who researched in this regard are Rabban Tabari, Ibn-e-Sina, and Zakaria al-Razi.

According to Jalinoos (Galen) as stated in his book, the cause of Bars is the weakness of Quwwat-e-Mughaiyarah wa Mushabbiha and Quwwat-e-Dafia (transformative and expulsive faculties) in the organs.

Bars is basically caused due to the impairment of blood and coldness of blood. The disease is due to the domination of phalegmhumor in the body.

Treatment according to Unani Approach

Bars is a serious and chronic disease if left untreated. Therefore, the line of treatment starts with Tanquiyah-e-Badan, i.e., removal of harmful material from the body with Munzij and Mushil therapy. A proper amount of Munzij-e-Balgham medicines are given so that the humor attains ‘Nuzj’. Then Mushil (purges) drugs are administered along with some cooling agents.

Then after the completion of the Munzij and Mushil therapy, scholars recommend to give some Itrifalaat and Haar (hot and dry) medicines as well as diet.

Digestive system should be treated with proper diet and foods that are easily digestible. Food items such as milk and other milk products are a strictly avoided.

Ancient scholars recommend the diet to be given according to there customs and traditions. He prohibits milk and other cold products and on the other hand advices to take foods like meat, fish, fruits and products which produces heat and dryness in the body so that it works in the reverse direction of the ailment.

Unani Medications to be used for Leukoderma

• Plan A
• Morning-Decoction of 10grms of Safoof Bars
• Evening- Habb-e-KabidNaushadiri – 2 tabs
• Night- Habb-e-Tinkar- 2tabs
• Plan B
• Morning- 10grms Safoof Bars
• Evening- Habb-e-MusaffieKhoon- 2tabs
• Night- Sharbat-e-Bazoori (10mL) with lukewarm water.

For further enquiries and treatment related queries, contact

Dr. (Hakim) Aslam Javed

A renowned and world-famous Unani practitioner with an experience of more than 30 years.