28/07/2025
🌟Unani Understanding and Classification of Dysentery🌟
In Unani medicine, dysentery is generally classified based on the nature of the discharge and the underlying humoral imbalance. While it acknowledges the symptoms of bloody and mucous stools, it views these as manifestations of internal derangements rather than solely focusing on microbial causes.
The Unani concept of disease revolves around the Mizaj (temperament) of an individual and the Akhlat (humors).
Dysentery is often associated with a vitiation of the Safra (yellow bile) or Balgham (phlegm), and sometimes Sawda (black bile), leading to an imbalance in the heat (Hararat) or coldness (Burudat), and wetness (Rutubat) or dryness (Yabusat) of the digestive system.
Types of dysentery in Unani might be described based on the predominant humor involved:
⭐ Safrawi Is-hal (Bilious Diarrhea/Dysentery): Characterized by yellowish, sometimes greenish, bloody stools, often accompanied by fever, thirst, and burning sensation. This indicates an aggravation of Safra (yellow bile).
⭐ Balghami Is-hal (Phlegmatic Diarrhea/Dysentery): Marked by whitish, slimy, and mucous stools, often with less blood, and may be associated with sluggish digestion and a feeling of heaviness. This points to an excess of Balgham (phlegm).
⭐ Damwi Is-hal (Sanguineous Diarrhea/Dysentery): Directly referring to dysentery with significant blood in the stools, potentially linked to a vitiation of Dam (blood) or severe inflammation.
⭐ Sawdawi Is-hal (Melancholic Diarrhea/Dysentery): Less common, but could describe dysentery associated with dark, scanty, and dry stools, often with chronic abdominal pain and potentially linked to an excess of Sawda (black bile).
The Unani physician would assess the patient's Mizaj, the cause (Sabab), and the symptoms (A'rad) to determine the specific type of dysentery and tailor the treatment accordingly. The emphasis is on restoring the humoral balance and strengthening the Quwwat-e-Mudabbera-e-Badan (self-regulatory power of the body).
Management of Dysentery in Unani Medicine
Unani management of dysentery is holistic, encompassing dietary modifications, herbal formulations, and sometimes physical therapies. The aim is to:
⭐ Stop the excessive discharge: By using astringent and constipative remedies.
⭐ Expel morbid matter: If there's an accumulation of vitiated humors.
⭐ Heal intestinal lesions: Through demulcent and anti-inflammatory agents.
⭐ Restore digestive function: By strengthening the digestive fire and improving absorption.
⭐ Rehydrate and nourish the body: To counteract fluid loss and weakness.
Here's a detailed breakdown of Unani management principles and common approaches:
1.🌟 Dietary Management (Ilaj Bil Ghiza):
Diet plays a crucial role in Unani treatment for dysentery, focusing on easily digestible, bland, and astringent foods to soothe the irritated gut and reduce fluid loss.
⭐ Bland and Light Diet: Patients are advised to consume light, easily digestible foods such as:
⭐ Khichri (rice and lentil gruel): Cooked soft with minimal spices.
⭐ Boiled rice with curd (Dahi-chawal): Curd (yogurt) is considered beneficial for its cooling and probiotic properties.
⭐ Porridges: Made from rice or barley.
⭐ Arrowroot powder: Often prepared as a gruel.
⭐ Stewed apples: Known for their pectin content, which can help firm stools.
⭐ Astringent Foods: Foods with astringent properties are encouraged to help reduce fluid secretion and firm up stools.
⭐ Bael (Aegle marmelos) fruit: Ripe bael fruit is highly regarded for its anti-diarrheal and anti-dysenteric properties. It can be consumed as a pulp or juice.
⭐ Pomegranate (Punica granatum): Pomegranate juice or peel decoction is used for its astringent effects.
⭐ Hydration: Despite avoiding excessive fluids that might aggravate diarrhea, proper rehydration is crucial. Oral rehydration solutions (ORS) are used, often with additions like:
⭐ Rice kanji (rice water): Rich in electrolytes.
⭐ Coconut water: A natural source of electrolytes.
⭐ Weak herbal teas: Such as those made from fennel or mint.
🌟 Foods to Avoid:
⭐ Spicy, oily, and fried foods: These can irritate the digestive tract.
⭐ Heavy and difficult-to-digest foods: Meat, pulses (legumes), and raw vegetables are generally restricted during the acute phase.
⭐ Laxative foods: Such as certain fruits or fibrous vegetables.
⭐ Milk (in some cases): Especially if lactose intolerance is suspected or if it aggravates symptoms.
2. 🌟Pharmacotherapy (Ilaj Bil Adwiya):
Unani medicine utilizes a wide range of single drugs (Mufrad Adwiya) and compound formulations (Murakkab Adwiya) for dysentery. The choice of medicine depends on the patient's temperament, the type of dysentery, and the severity of symptoms.
Commonly used single drugs (herbs and natural substances):
⭐ Bael (Aegle marmelos): The unripe fruit is considered highly effective due to its astringent and antimicrobial properties. It's used in various forms like powder, decoction, or jam (Murabba Bael).
⭐ Holarrhena antidysenterica (Inderjao Shirin/Kaur): The bark and seeds are renowned for their anti-amoebic and anti-dysenteric actions.
⭐ Isabgol (Plantago ovata): Psyllium husk acts as a bulk-forming agent, absorbing excess water and providing a soothing effect on the intestinal lining. It also helps in binding toxins.
⭐ Pomegranate (Punica granatum): Especially the peel, for its strong astringent properties.
⭐ Cumin (Cuminum cyminum): Aids digestion and has carminative properties.
⭐ Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Used for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.
⭐ Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans): Possesses astringent and antispasmodic qualities.
⭐ O***m (Papaver somniferum): Used cautiously and in very small, controlled doses in severe cases for its powerful anti-motility and pain-relieving effects (under strict medical supervision due to its addictive nature).
⭐ Acacia nilotica (Babool): The gum and bark have astringent properties.
⭐ Chalk (Gil-e-Armani/Kaolin): Used as an adsorbent to bind toxins and reduce fluidity of stools.
Commonly used compound formulations:
⭐ Qurs-e-Tabasheer: Tablets containing Tabasheer (bamboo exudate), which is cooling and astringent.
⭐ Jawarish Bael: A semi-solid preparation made primarily from bael fruit, useful for digestive complaints including dysentery.
⭐ Majoon Anjbar: A paste formulation often used for its astringent and anti-diarrheal properties.
⭐ Arq-e-Saunf (Fennel distillate): Used for its digestive and carminative effects.
⭐ Sharbat-e-Anar (Pomegranate syrup): For its astringent and cooling properties.
⭐Pech (Hamdard preparation): A well-known proprietary Unani medicine for diarrhea and dysentery, often containing a combination of herbs like Holarrhena antidysenterica and Aegle marmelos.
⭐ Marbelus Syrup: Another Unani formulation combining Bael and Connessi (Holarrhena antidysenterica) reported to be effective in both amoebic and bacillary dysentery.
3.🌟 Regimenal Therapy (Ilaj Bit Tadbeer):
While less prominent in acute dysentery, certain regimenal therapies might be advised for supportive care or during the recovery phase.
⭐ Fomentation/Hot Compress: Applying a hot water bag to the abdomen can help alleviate abdominal cramps.
⭐ Rest: Adequate rest is crucial for recovery and to conserve bodily energy.
⭐ Hygiene: Emphasizing strict personal hygiene, especially handwashing, is fundamental to prevent further spread and reinfection.
4. Temperamental Considerations:
Unani treatment is highly individualized. A physician would consider the patient's individual Mizaj (temperament) (e.g., Sanguine, Phlegmatic, Choleric, Melancholic) when prescribing medicines.
However, it's important to note that while Unani medicine offers a holistic approach, severe cases of dysentery, especially those leading to significant dehydration, high fever, or systemic complications, require immediate conventional medical attention.
