Health camp for pilgrims

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Health-camp-for-pilgrims/articleshow/7299926.cms

ALLAHABAD: The Regional Research Centre (Unani) under Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, New Delhi, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India, organised a special health camp-cum-exhibition at Magh Mela for the pilgrims and Kalpvasis. The camp was inaugurated by Dr Asha Bhargava, additional director family and welfare department, on Sunday. Nearly 500 patients of arthritis, asthma, gynaecological disorders, common diseases etc were examined during the camp. Dr D N Tiwari, deputy chairman, planning commission, Chattisgarh; Dr K K Tiwari; Dr Saad Usmani, principal, State Unani Medical College; and Dr SAM Meesum were present on the occasion, among others.


Read more: Health camp for pilgrims - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/allahabad/Health-camp-for-pilgrims/articleshow/7299926.cms#ixzz1BR0HyUYu

Alternative Medicine Gaining Ground In Malaysia


http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsfeatures.php?id=554151




By V.Sankara Subramaniam
SHAH ALAM, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- Alternative medicine is increasingly gaining acceptance among Malaysians in not only maintaining good health but also in treating ailments.
In Malaysia, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and the Indian Ayurveda and Siddha medicine are respectively the most common alternative remedy to conventional medicine for the Chinese and Indian communities.
The president of the Malaysian Society for Complementary Medicine (MSCM) Dr Lee Chee Pheng remarked that no one wants to fall sick and the side effects of conventional drugs were pushing the society towards herbal medicine that is relatively harmless.
"Based on the market demand, TCM is the fastest growing industry in the world," said Dr Lee when met at the recent 4th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2010 in Bangalore, India.
Dr Lee led a nine-member team from MSCM to the event considered the world's biggest on complementary and alternative healthcare. It was organised by India's Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) and the Government of Karnataka.
GREATER CHOICE FROM ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Concurring with Dr Lee, Dr. V.M. Palaniappan a leading practitioner of alternative medicine and author of numerous books on the subject noted that the ancient Ayurveda and Siddha medicine too have been gaining popularity in Malaysia with many Ayurvedic centres cropping up over the last decade.
"I have a strong feeling that Ayurvedic system is fast picking up in Malaysia, and I will not be surprised if more people begin to seek remedies through this method.
"One of the reasons why people opt for alternative medicine appears to be the presence of undesirable side effects of chemical-based drugs used in modern medicine," said this former academician with Universiti Malaya.
Another reason for people seeking treatment using alternative method is the cost factor. It is a lot cheaper," said the pioneering founder of an evidence and science based alternative medicine called Ecological Healing System (EHS).
Dr Palani observed that in general people spend lots of money to manage their health through conventional methods, yet often end up suffering without any solution to their health woes.
TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE ACT
Nevertheless, at present alternative medicine in Malaysia is still at infancy and awaiting guidelines to regulate the sector and integrate alternative/complimentary medicine into the National Healthcare System.
The Health Ministry is to introduce the TCM Act, which is expected to be effective by this year, that would provide guidelines to better regulate TCM practices in Malaysia.
Once the TCM Act is implemented, all TCM practitioners will have to register with the ministry before they can offer their services.
But this has created some uneasiness among the practitioners like pointed out by Dr Lee and Dr Palani.
Both related that the practitioners were very much concerned of the upcoming TCM Act as they were not clear on its content.
"Is it going to restrict the growth of TCM practitioners? Who is going to instruct and train new practitioners? Who is going to decide as who is scientific and who is not? The TCM Act appears to talk only about the science behind the treatment method and the like. One should remember that the traditional medicine originates from the kitchen," he said.
Commenting further on the matter, Dr Palani pointed out the qualities of the conventional medicine could only be evaluated by their practitioners and researchers and the same goes to the traditional medication.
"Moreover the subject is very complex. The alternative medical practitioners can only judge by the end-results," he added.
As such, he said, proponents of conventional medicine should not be the one to evaluate the qualities of alternative medicine.
Dr Palani is thankful that the government is liberal in allowing the Ayurvedic and several other traditional medical systems to be practiced in Malaysia.
"Due to the many similarities in the climatic conditions, food and culture between Malaysia and India, the Ayurveda as well as the Siddha systems may suit the people of Malaysia very well", he said.
RESEARCH INTO AYURVEDIC MEDICINE AND SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT
In developing alternative medicine here, Dr Lee noted that India is willing to cooperate with Malaysia to explore the potential of our natural herbs.
In this respect Dr Lee invited the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) in Bangalore, India, to undertake joint research on natural herbs with the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia.
"Many use traditional medicine in Malaysia. However, adequate research and development appears to be still lacking."
Dr Lee felt that the government so far has given encouragement and support for research works to tap the potential of TCM but have yet to extend the same to the Indian medicine like Ayurveda.
"I hope the government will give a helping hand to develop Ayurvedic traditional system of medicine as well," he said.
Meanwhile, V. Devindran the head of Technical Team of LITNA (M) Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Bigcorp-A Berhad, during the congress said Indian companies specializing in Ayurveda pharmaceutical formulations have shown interest in conducting research and trials on health products to treat common diseases affecting Malaysians.
"We have already conducted research and clinical trials on testing gymnema sylvestre, a plant used in India for treating diabetes. We are in the final stage to launch our company's Gymnema Extract in softgel capsules by this year. We hope the gymnema capsules will give a solution to treat diabetes," he added.

Indian Muslims newsmakers last fortnight
http://www.milligazette.com/news/254-men-women-in-news-last-fortnight-indian-muslims
Noted social worker and RTI activist Ms. PARVEEN AMANULLAH, who was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly from Sahebpur Kamal Constituency, as a JDU candidate, was inducted into the Ministry as a Cabinet Minister for Social Welfare. She took oath of her office on 28 Nov. 2010 at Patna. She is a first-time member of the Legislative Assembly.
NADEEM AHMAD son of Abdul Hafiz of Kirana, Saharanpur secured the second place in All India CSIR Net Junior Research Fellow Scholarship Test for 2010.
SK MAHBOOB BASHA of Andhra Pradesh under 19 cricket team scored a 'perfect ten' in Cooch Behar Plate Group B match at Anantapur on 27 Nov. 2010 and in the process broke the 38 year old Andhra cricket Association records of VSV Prasad who claimed nine for 25 against Kerala in an under 25 match in Vijoyavada in 1972-73.. Off Spinner Basha bowled 27.3 overs on the trot and conceded 44 runs and picked all the wickets against Tripura.
Dr. ZOHRA AHMAD of Delhi secured the first position in Post-Graduate Entrance Exam of All India Institute of Medical Science held on 14 Nov. 2010. Dr Ahmad broke the trend in the sense that earlier only South India based candidates secured top positions.
The government of Rajasthan on 27 Nov. 2010 nominated LIAQAT ALI KHAN, Inspector-General of Police UMER DEEN KHAN an RAS officer, HAIDAR RAZA a Shia leader, Maulana ZUBAIR ALWARI and Maulana FAIYAZ religious scholars as new members to the Rajasthan Waqf Board quorum of eleven members. The newly constituted Board will elect new chairman from among themselves later in a fortnight.
Bihar ex-Congress Chief MAHBOOB ALI QAISAR, who resigned from the post after the polls debacle, was issued arrest warrant by Madhepura district SP on 28 Nov. 2010 for allegedly violating model code of conduct during the recent assembly elections in the state. Mr. Qaisar alongwith Ms Lovely Anand wife of jailed don Anand Mohan allegedly landed their helicopter without legal permission at a venue of an election meeting at Madhepura district on 4 October, 2010.
Founder and Manager of Deoband Unani Medical College Dr. QAMRUZZAMAN QURAISHI was elected to the Indian Medicine Board UP from the physicians constituency of Western Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Quraishi secured 1295 votes as against his other two rivals Dr. Liaq Hussain 67 votes and Dr. Javed Aktar Siddiqui 13 votes.
Secondary Education Directorate Bikaner Rajasthan on 25 Nov. 2010 reinstated the services of Mr. ABUBAKAR NAQVI president of Rajasthan State Primary and Secondary Teachers Union and State Secretary of Karamchari Samekit Mahasangh. It is interesting to note that he was dismissed for violation of moral code of conduct as he gave a call to vote in favour of Bhartia Janata Party.
Dr. ASLAM JAMSHEDPURI Head of the department of Urdu, Chaudhary Charan Singh University Meerut, was nominated member of UP Urdu Academy for a term of two years for the third time.
Director General of civil aviation NASIM AHMAD ZAIDI, a senior IAS officer of 1976 batch became the new civil aviation secretary after Mr. Madhavan Nambiar retired on Nov. 30 2010. Before the aviation he was posted as the representative of India with the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
SHAHZAD AHMAD of village Moghul Sarai, Saharanpur UP has secured fourth position in the PCS (Civil Judge Exam) 2010. He is an AMU alumni and his father is a teacher at Panwar Junior High School.
HASAN SHUJA of daily Sahafat and JALEES AHMAD of PTI/Bhasha were nominated to the Lok Sabha Press Advisory Council (Urdu) by Speaker Meera Kumar on 3 Dec. 2010. The Council has 27 members besides four designated members. The Council will be chaired by S. Sachitanand Murthi of Malayalam Manorma.
Dr. NIGAR SULTANA took over the charges of head of the department of Urdu, Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh on 9 September, 2010.
Dr. ABDUL WAHEED KHAN former Vice-Chancellor of IGNOU was conferred an Honorary Doctorate by Wawason Open University, Penang, Malaysia. This Doctorate of letters Honoris causa has been conferred in acknowledgement and recognition of Dr. Khan as a self-made man, visionary, leader, educationist and achiever in education and global distance education in particular. Dr. Khan is presently President of Talal Abu Gazaleh Business University, Bahrain and senior Advisor to Arab Open University.
Dr. S. ASMAT ALI senior resident of JN Medical College, Department of surgery, Aligarh was nominated as a member of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow. He will be presented with a memento in Glasgow later.
Senior Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) legislator and chief of state RJD Mr. ABDUL BARI SIDDIQUI was named the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly by the Speaker Uday Narayan Chaudhary on 3 Nov. 2010 Earlier Mr. Siddiqui had been elected leader of the RJD assembly party unopposed, a post that was held by Ms Rabri Devi for the past five years. He represents Alinagar constituency in the Bihar Assembly. RJD, which ruled  Bihar for 15 long years, had failed to qualify for the status of the opposition party in the recently held assembly polls and could secured only 22 seats. Despite two seats short of the required 10% seats for the honour.
Senior leader of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) Mr. ZAKIR HUSAIN was unanimously elected leader of the LJP in the Bihar Assembly on 29 Nov. 2010 LJP lead by Ramvilas Paswan has won nine assembly seats in the 2010 assembly election. Mr. Zakir Husain represents Araria constituency in the Bihar Assembly.
Lt. General S.A. HASNAIN took over the command of the Srinagar 15 corps also known as the Chinar corps at Srinagar on 4 Dec. 2010. He replaces Lt. Gen. N.C. Marwah who will now head the command in Andaman and Nicobar islands. The 15 Corps headquarters is considered to be one of the most prestigious Corps of Army in the country. Before this Lt. Gen. Hasnain functioned as Colonel General Staff in the counter-insurgency Victory Force in south Kashmir, he later commanded a brigade in Uri, during which period the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus services was launched. Lt. Gen. Hasnian shot into prominence conducting court martial proceedings against a Major of Rashtriya Rifles battalion. He assumes the charges of the Chinar Corps against the backdrop of the current disagreement between the State government and the Army over demilitarisation and withdrawal or amending of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act. Lt. Gen. Hasnian will be also incharge of guarding the LoC, checking infiltration and subduing the threat of insurgency. He is only the second Muslim officer to have commanded the prestigious 15 Corps a crucial shield against Pakistan's offensive intent after Lt. Gen. M.A. Zaki. Lt. Gen. Hasnain comes from a family of soldiers as his father served Garhwal Rifles and retired as a Major General. He is an expert in both conventional and counter-terrorism operations and had served the valley for more than a decade.
State RJD Chief Mr. ABDUL BARI SIDDIQUI was elected leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the Bihar State Legislative Assembly. In the recent election in the state RJD has won 22 assembly seats. He is expected to be appointed as the leader of the opposition in the state assembly by the speakers discretion. Non of the parties has secured 24 member technical requirement as the Bihar Legislative Assembly rules to be nominated as opposition party in the assembly in the wake of the land slide victory of JDU BJP combined in the 2010 Assembly Election.

Job security for salesmen on the cards
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/jobs/job-security-for-salesmen-on-the-cards/articleshow/7208234.cms
NEW DELHI: Over three lakh salesmen in sectors such as FMCG , automobiles and apparel will now be covered under a new law providing higher job security, pay parity and better working conditions. However, this may raise companies' operational cost.
Sales and marketing personnel, excluding managers, in 10 sectors will be covered under the Sales Promotion Employees (SPE) Act, according to the minutes of a meeting of Labour Ministry, a copy of which is with ET. Employers in these sectors will have to give appointment letters to all sales employees besides offering benefits such as earned, medical, extraordinary , study and casual leaves. Human resource experts say employers will have to overhaul their HR policies.
"Lakhs of sales personnel will get job security, parity in pay across industries and reduce chances of discrimination in terms of experience , knowledge and skill-sets ," Amitava Ghosh, Head Regulatory at Team-Lease Services said.
After a meeting with industry and trade union representatives in November, the labour ministry has decided to expand the scope of the SPE Act of 1976 that covers only medical representatives at present. Though employers resisted the move to bring salesmen of other industries under the purview of the Act without talking to each of them first, a decision was pushed through by 'broad consensus.'
The law will now also cover companies in businesses such as cosmetics, soaps and disinfectants; readymade garments; soft drink manufacturing; biscuits and confectionaries ; automobiles (including accessories); electronics, computers , electrical appliances and paints. Other sectors whose employers will be part of the amended law include ayurvedic, unani and homeopathic medicines; surgical equipment, artificial prosthesis and diagnostics besides paints and varnishes.
At present, sales personnel in most sectors are covered under either the Factories Act or the Shops & Establishment Act of the respective state. Industrial labour experts say the employers in the identified sectors will now have to comply with the uniform SPE Act once the labour ministry notifies its decision. Moreover, they will automatically have to comply with six other central labour laws such as the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947.
These employers will have to change recruitment & compensation policies besides terms of employment , which will initially push up operational cost marginally . Human resources consultants say that employers will need to be much more caring for workers and minimise breach of employment law provisions, which arise largely from ignorance of multiple labour laws.
But employers have strongly objected to the labour ministry's plans. "The extension (of SPE Act) is counter-productive and not conducive to any stake holder," said Sharad Patil , secretary general of Employers' Federation of India , who was part of the meeting with labour ministry . The federation represents many top business houses and lobbies for human resources related issues.
Patil argues that onerous legal paperwork will make employers reluctant to hire sales personnel under such conditions, who will look at alternate ways to push sales, thus adversely impacting job opportunities in the country .
Companies have found ways to circumvent SPE Act even in the pharmaceuticals sector.
Some firms have designated their medical representatives as a supervisor or manager without much change in compensation or work condition as managers are not covered under the SPE Act, said a medical representatives' union leader.
Incidentally, the move to extending the SPE Act was driven by a petition submitted by the Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives' Association (FMRAI), a trade union of the country's medical representatives. While the petition was focused on problems faced by medical representatives , FMRAI had sought extension of the law to 40 sectors. The union had also called for penal provisions such as imprisonment of employers in violation cases, along with a longer maternity leave from three to six months.

LOCAL APPLICATION TREATING SKIN CANCER

by syyed ubaidussalam

This is a kind of thin paste for skin cancer (jildi sartaan), according to unani system of medicine.

Take following medicines to prepare it.

1.       Rhus coriaria Linn. (sumaaq) two parts

2. Quercus infectoria Olivier (mazu) two parts

3. Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume (taj qalmi) two parts

and

4. Wine ( sharaab) two parts

Soak these drugs in wine for four days. Now boil it and stir this while boiling with the wood of Cypressus sempervirens Linn (sarw) , then strain it and make it clean and repeat boiling it till it becomes thick.

Now keep it in a vessel of glass and after cooling mix wine with it .

Use it on skin cancer(sartaan e jild) and Cancrum (gosht khorah or aakilah)

Reference. Kitaabul hawi fit tibb volume  7^th by zakarya razi

The South African Journal of Natural Medicine (subscription) - South Africa 

http://www.naturalmedicine.co.za/sajnm_main/article.php?story=20031022091835345
Editorial team
Indian Head Massage is a tangible expression of India - a place of magic and mystery. Practised in villages throughout India, this treatment is somehow greater than its constituent parts.Indian Head Massage has been tried and tested over thousands of years in the laboratory of life. In India, it is part of everyday life and it is precisely through its lack of pretension that it weaves its magic. In earlier times, it was sought after by Maharajas and Shahs, gurus and saints. Today, it is as popular as it was then. Although the technique is basically the same throughout India, each village puts its own stamp on the massage, which is handed down from mother to daughter, from father to son. It springs from this rich, family tradition across generations as an integral part of family life. Originally developed by Indian women, who are renowned for their long, luxuriant hair, they enhanced the art to be either stimulating or relaxing.Although the early Ayurvedic texts refer to it, it is not confined to Ayurveda. It has been embraced by both the principal, traditional healing systems in India - namely, Ayurveda, the medicine of the Hindu people and Unani, the ancient Greek medicine adopted by the Muslims. It is called Indian Head Massage, but is not only practised in India. It is equally popular in other parts of Asia such as neighbouring Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal. It is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, Europe, South Africa, the USA, Canada and Australia, where it has been streamlined and adapted to the fast-moving Western lifestyle.We approached three different practitioners for an overall perspective of this treatment.Dr Iqbal Badat, a registered homeopath and practitioner of Unani and Prophetic Medicine as well as Magnetotherapy, tells us more about traditional Indian Head Massage.The roots of traditional Indian Head Massage are hidden in the mists of time. Yet, there is no doubt that it comes from a place of deep knowing when time was a slow moving continuum. Indian Head Massage was developed by people uneducated in the ways of the modern world, but skilled in intuitive knowing, with minds uncluttered by what we now call knowledge. Their direct knowing is probably the reason it is as appropriate now as it was then. Traditional Indian Head Massage stands on two legs: technique and therapeutic oils - some with exotic names such as Amla, Chameli, Mogra and Malis. ‘All the great scriptures of the world speak of the virtues of being anointed with oil’, says Dr Badat. ‘The innocent touching alone makes people feel nurtured, centered and relaxed.’ Indian Head Massage improves circulation in the head, enhances the five senses, improves memory, eases mental and emotional stress and promotes clear thinking. It is highly recommended for headaches, migraines, insomnia, tinnitis and vertigo, and depression.Its high success rate with stress-related disorders is resulting in more doctors taking an interest. Two professors of medicine have studied the technique with Dr Badat. It is also becoming increasingly popular among dentists wanting to ease the discomfort of conventional dental treatments. Big corporations are finding it a useful tool in the ongoing battle to improve productivity and absenteeism. In the workplace, it is generally done as a dry-scalp technique.Perhaps one of the most significant modern applications is to address the harmful effects of cellphone radiation. Advanced practitioners study phrenology, an ancient science interpreting the shape of the skull and the bulges and dents on the head in much the same way as reflexologists and iridologists interpret the feet and eyes.Anne Combrinck is an Ayurvedic Health Care Advisor and Remedial Yoga Teacher and had this to tell us.When it is properly done, Indian head massage is in fact a massage of the entire body. As in foot reflexology, the body's organs and glands are represented on the head, ears and face. There are many important acupressure points on the head. The entire nervous system is calmed when its centre, the head, is massaged.The application of nourishing oils to the head helps both to calm and strengthen the brain and nervous system. Oil massaged into the head of adults is absorbed by the hair roots, which connect the nerve fibres that lead to the brain. Oil strengthens the hair and removes dryness, which is responsible for brittle hair, premature balding, and many scalp disorders. During the first 6 - 9 months head massage is excellent for an infant's brain and eyesight. Indian Head Massage is very relaxing and usually includes the face, ears, neck and shoulders, as well as the scalp. It helps to relieve tension and associated headaches.Linzi Mons is an accredited tutor of Champissage™ - a trademarked sequence of massage movements, and gives us her perspective.In our modern society, stress, poor eating habits, pollution, lack of exercise and fresh air all contribute to a variety of ailments settling on the head and shoulders. Indian Head and Shoulder Massage is an exceedingly effective and accessible technique that can be practised anywhere. It is not customary to use oils unless specifically requested or indicated. In or out of the workplace, you can relax, allowing a therapist half an hour to iron out all the tension brought about by a fast-paced lifestyle.Four out of five people suffer from headaches - occasionally or on a daily basis. Apart from environmental factors such as artificial lighting and air-conditioning, headaches have multiple causes. Seasonal allergies, sinusitis, eyestrain, poor posture and aching jaws, from clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism) all contribute.Head and shoulder massage eases the nodules, which accumulate in the neck and shoulders, caused by long hours spent in front of a computer or driving. Massaging the scalp improves the circulation, increasing the flow of oxygen to the head and dissipating accumulated toxins which contribute to headaches. A relaxing facial massage assists in clearing the sinuses. The growth and lustre of the hair improves. One is left feeling refreshed, as if after a short nap.There are few contraindications. Degenerative spinal disorders such as osteoporosis and arthritic conditions would require gentle treatment. However, there is no age limit. It is advisable to moderate pressure to suit each individual. Recommended intervals between treatments should be between 5 to 10 days, to allow the body to rid itself of toxins liberated by the treatment.

India And Malaysia Cooperate To Undertake Research Into Natural Herbs At Frim
http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=550954
By V.Sankara
SHAH ALAM, Dec 18 (Bernama) -- India is willing to cooperate with Malaysia to explore and tap the potentials of natural herbs in the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).
Malaysian Society For Complementary Medicine president Dr Lee Chee Peng, said that for a start, he had invited National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM) in Bangalore, India to undertake research into natural herbs, which has the potential of becoming traditional medicine, at the institute.
"FRIM has many natural herbs and India can do a lot of research at the institute to explore the potentials of natural herbs in becoming traditional medicine. India is noted for its traditional herbs and has the necessary skills and expertise to undertake research.
"Although many people use traditional medicine in Malaysia, it is not fully exploited especially in research and development," he told Bernama.
Dr Lee said he had extended the invitation to NIUM when he attended as a guest at the 4th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo held in Bangalore, India, recently.
He was leading a nine-member team from his society to the four-day Ayurveda congress, which ended on Monday.
The event is believed to be the world's largest fair for complementary and alternative healthcare, and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors and delegates.
Dr Lee said that India had about 9,000 natural herbs, out of which only 300 were exported to Malaysia.
He said that there was now a strong demand for instant traditional medicine in Malaysia as about 70 per cent of Malaysians used traditional and complementary medicine based on a survey by the Health Ministry in 2004.
Dr Lee, who is chairman of International, Scientific and Research Council for Complementary Medicine, said that he is working very hard to set up a head office of the council in Malaysia soon.

Oxidative DNA damage preventive activity and antioxidant potential of plants used in Unani system of medicine
http://7thspace.com/headlines/367100/oxidative_dna_damage_preventive_activity_and_antioxidant_potential_of_plants_used_in_unani_system_of_medicine.html
There is increasing recognition that many of today's diseases are due to the "oxidative stress"that results from an imbalance between the formation and neutralization of reactive molecules such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), which can be removed with antioxidants. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of plants routinely used in the Unani system of medicine.
Several plants were screened for radical scavenging activity, and the ten that showed promising results were selected for further evaluation.
Methods: Methanol (50%) extracts were prepared from ten Unani plants, namely Cleome icosandra, Rosa damascena, Cyperus scariosus, Gardenia gummifera, Abies pindrow, Valeriana wallichii, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Anacyclus pyrethrum, Asphodelus tenuifolius and Cyperus scariosus, and were used to determine their total phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbic acid contents, in vitro scavenging of DPPH * , ABTS * +, NO, * OH, O2.- and ONOO, and capacity to prevent oxidative DNA damage. Cytotoxic activity was also determined against the U937 cell line.
Results: IC50 values for scavenging DPPH * , ABTS * +, NO, * OH, O2.- and ONOO were in the ranges 0.007+/- 0.0001 - 2.006 +/- 0.002 mg/ml, 2.54 +/- 0.04 - 156.94 +/- 5.28 mug/ml, 152.23 +/- 3.51 - 286.59 +/- 3.89 mug/ml, 18.23 +/- 0.03 - 50.13 +/- 0.04 mug/ml, 28.85 +/- 0.23 - 537.87 +/- 93 mug/ml and 0.532 +/- 0.015 - 3.39 +/- 0.032 mg/ml, respectively.
The total phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbic acid contents were in the ranges 62.89 +/- 0.43 -166.13 +/- 0.56 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract, 38.89 +/- 0.52 - 172.23 +/- 0.08 mg quercetin equivalent (QEE)/g extract and 0.14 +/- 0.09 - 0.98 +/- 0.21 mg AA/g extract. The activities of the different plant extracts against oxidative DNA damage were in the range 0.13-1.60 ug/ml.
Of the ten selected plant extracts studied here, seven - C. icosandra, R.
damascena, C. scariosus, G.
gummifera, A. pindrow, V.
wallichii and H. antidysenterica - showed moderate antioxidant activity.
Finally, potentially significant oxidative DNA damage preventive activity and antioxidant activity were noted in three plant extracts: C. icosandra, R.
damascena and C. scariosus.
These three plant extracts showed no cytotoxic activity against U937 cells.
Conclusions: The 50% methanolic extracts obtained from different plant parts contained significant amounts of polyphenols with superior antioxidant activity as evidenced by the scavenging of DPPH * , ABTS * +, NO, * OH, O2.- and ONOO. C.
icosandra, R. damascena and C.
scariosus showed significant potential for preventing oxidative DNA damage and radical scavenging activity, and the G. gummifera, A.
pindrow, V. wallichii, H.
antidysenterica, A. pyrethrum, A.
tenuifolius and O. mascula extracts showed moderate activity.
The extracts of C. icosandra, R.
damascena and C. scariosus showed no cytotoxicity against U937 cells.
In conclusion, these routinely used Unani plants, especially C. icosandra, R.
damascena and C. scariosus, which are reported to have significant activity against several human ailments, could be exploited as potential sources of natural antioxidants for plant-based pharmaceutical industries.

Unani Medicines going places
Unani Medicines going placesby S Ubaidur RahmanThough effective, inexpensive and easily available, the Unani system of medicine still continues to lurk on the fringes of alternative healing, perhaps due to its unfamiliarity or due to its Muslim associations Gaurav, a 10-year-old boy could not move his hands or feet when he was brought to Hakim Jameel Ahmed five years ago. Suffering from cerebral palsy, with an underdeveloped cognitive level, he could neither think nor talk properly. Now 15 years later, thanks to Unani treatment, he is not only able to walk well but also talk ten to the dozen. Despite the absence of formal research on a cure in Unani for cerebral palsy among children, Hakim Jameel had been moved by the miserable condition of the child to experiment and successfully cure him. Now after further research and medication on patients suffering from cerebral palsy, Unani's usefulness in dealing with cerebral palsy is being heavily discussed. The father of modern medicine The Unani system of medicine originated in Greece and the term Unani is derived from 'Unan', Arabic and Urdu for 'Greece'. The theoretical framework of Unani medicine is based on the work of Hippocrates (460-377 BC). By his method of careful study and comparison of symptoms, he laid down the foundation for clinical medicine based on diet and rest. He advocated that the chief function of a physician is to aid the natural forces of the body in combating a disease. Unani system follows the humoural theory which postulates the presence of four humours in the body: dam (blood), balgham (phlegm), safra (yellow bile) and sauda (black bile), a parallel to kapha, vata and pitta, the three doshas in ayurveda. A number of Greek scholars after Hippocrates such as Galen (131-200 AD) followed by Arab physicians like Rhazes (850-932 AD) and Avicenna (980-1037 AD), enriched the system considerably. Rhazes and Avicenna authored Al-Hawi and Al-Qanun respectively, which were compilations of their observations. These were later translated into Latin and other European languages and taught in medieval European universities. They are said to have greatly influenced western medical thought.Growth in IndiaUnani may have disappeared from the country of its origin, but it has found root in India. Arab traders who entered through the Western Ghats long before Moghuls, introduced Unani here. The Khiljis, Tughlaqs and the Mughal emperors provided state patronage to Unani scholars and even employed some as court physicians. Unani experienced its heyday between 13th and 17th centuries with the contributions of Abu Bakr bin Ali Usman Ksahani, Sadruddin Damashqui, Ali Geelani, Akbal Arzani and Mohammad Hashim Alvi Khan. They subjected Indian drugs to clinical trials and added numerous native drugs to their own system, further enriching its treasures. The British period saw the strictest restrictions imposed on any system of treatment other than allopathy. But despite these and the suspension of all aid to Unani institutions, the system survived due to the commitment of Hakims like Ajmal Khan. Ajmal Khan, who also served as the president of Indian National Congress in 1921, was a Unani physician and scholar of unmatched calibre. He founded the Ayurvedic and Unani Medical College in Delhi. He also founded All India Unani and Tibbiya Conference in 1917 to counter the bad effects of the Medical Registration Act. He started Hindustani Dawakhana, one of the leading manufacturers of Unani medicines in the country. Hakim Abdul Hameed, the founder of Hamdard Dawakhana, is another well-known name in Unani in India and abroad. He set up the highly successful Unani Tibia College in Delhi and the Jamia Hamdard University, whose faculty of pharmacy and science are rated one of the best in the country. He made products like Safi, Sharbate Rooh Afza, Sinkara, Gripe Water, Joshina, all household names. Among contemporary Unani physicians, Hakim Khaleefatullah's name stands out.In 1989, he set up Niamath Laboratories, a modern indigenous pharmaceutical house for manufacturing genuine Unani drugs. Hakim Zillur Rahman, who has served at the Hakim Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh, for over 40 years before retiring as dean faculty of Moalijat (medicine), is known the world over for his unmatched contribution to Unani.Author of 25 books on different aspects of Unani, he also owns one of the largest collection of books on Unani in the world. He recently launched the Bu Ali Sina Academy of Art and Science, which attracts a large number of people due to the sheer size and diversity of its library. How Unani worksThe essential constituents and the working principles of the body, according to Unani, can be classified into seven main groups: arkan or elements, comprising earth, water, air and fire as different states of matter and the building blocks of everything in the universe; mizaj (temperament); akhlat (humours); aza (organs); arwah (life, spirits or vital breaths); quva (energy); and af'al (action). Each of the four elements has its own special qualities: earth is cold and dry; water is cold and moist; fire is hot and dry; air is hot and moist. The resultant quality of the uniform body is called its mizaj. The temperament of a substance may be a mizaj-e-mutadil (balanced one) or a mizaj-e-ghair-mutadil (imbalanced one). Different types and shades of imbalanced temperaments are described in Unani, which believes that at birth every person is endowed with a unique and healthy humoural constitution determining the temperament of an individual. Unani also postulates that the body contains a self-preservative power, which strives to restore any disturbance within the limits prescribed by the constitution or state of the individual. The physician merely aims to help and develop rather than supersede or impede the action of this power.Says Hakim Jameel: "A Unani physician does not prescribe the strongest drug at the beginning of the treatment. He selects the drug according to the degree of variation from the normal healthy condition, and observes the effect produced by the treatment. At the same time, he instructs the patient to observe some restrictions in diet and lifestyle." He continues, "This is necessary as the therapeutic effect of these mild drugs may be counter-balanced to an extent by a faulty diet or lifestyle. Particular care has to be taken while treating a 'hot', 'cold', 'dry' or 'moist' disease with food or drug of the opposite quality." Since in Unani, health and disease depend upon the equilibrium or imbalance between the four humours, a thorough examination of the pulse is undertaken to determine which humour is dominant at the time. The examination of the urine is the next important step. Its colour, taste, viscosity, whether it has froth on its surface, if the bubbles formed are large, indicating balgham, or small, indicating safra, are scrutinised. The stool is also examined in a similar way.Some Unani physicians also examine the blood pressure and use stethoscopes to study the breathing and heart sounds.Modern researchUnani is unmatched in treating chronic diseases like arthritis, asthma, mental, cardiac and digestive disorders, urinal infections, and of course sexual diseases. Hakim Shamshad A. Khan, assistant director of Central Council for Research in Unani Medicines (CCRUM), a government body, says that recent research has proved that Unani medicines are highly effective in treating diseases like malaria, hepatitis B, leukoderma and skin problems. Unani is also said to be effective in increasing immunity levels in AIDS patients. Hakim Usama Akram reports that the results of his research on Unani treatment in cerebral palsy among children have been encouraging, with children showing marked improvement in movement as well as cognitive levels. Ziabetus or diabetes in its early stages is fully curable using Unani. Its efficacy in treating sexual disorders remains unrivalled. Hakim Jameel claims that Unani medicines permanently and effectively cure every sexual ailment, even sterility in women. Unlike modern medicines like Viagra and its Indian variants which have harmful side-effects, Unani also improves the general health of the person. Today there are 40 undergraduate and postgraduate colleges teaching Unani medicine in India. These accord BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicines and Surgery). Several colleges have recently introduced postgraduate courses in Unani and give MD degrees in Ilmul Advia (pharmacology), Moalijat (medicine) and Kulliyat (basic principles) as well as Jarahat (surgery) at Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, Aligarh, and in Moalijat, Amraz-e-Niswan (gynaecology) and Amraz-e-Atfal (paediatrics) at Government Nizamiah Tibbi College, Hyderabad. Several other colleges including Faculty of Medicine (Unani) at Hamdard University and Ayurvedic and Unani College at Karol Bagh in Delhi have introduced such postgraduate courses. There are over 150 Unani hospitals and 1,500 Unani dispensaries spread across 18 states of India. There are around 50,000 Unani graduates in the country and most of them are practising physicians. Unani now forms an integral part of the national health care delivery system, and is recognised by the WHO as one of the alternative system of medicines. The Unani system is inexpensive, effective and easily available.Realising its potential, the central and state governments have constituted the IMCC Act of 1970, which since 1973 has been implemented all over the country for standardization of education in the Unani system of medicine. Accordingly, a statutory council, CCRUM regulates the practice and education in Unani. Hakim Jameel points out that following the global trend of rising interest in alternative and natural systems, Unani is also drawing attention in countries such as South Africa and Malaysia. He adds that Unani healing is vibrant and vigorous today and is being practised, taught and researched under its local names in over 20 countries including Afghanistan, China, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK and USA.Even in financial terms, Unani is loaded with potential. There are several large and medium sized companies producing Unani medicines. There are a number of licensed manufacturers of Unani medicines both in the small and large-scale sectors, with their production being controlled by the government as well as private bodies. These companies include Hamdard Dawakhana, Hamdam Dawakhana, New Shama Laboratory, Hamdam Hindustani Dawakhana, Sadar Dawakhana, Dehlevi Remedies, Rex Remedies, all in Delhi; Niyamath Pharmacies, Chennai, National Dawakhana, Calcutta, Islahi Drug House and Unani Remedies, in Mumbai. Some misperceptionsMost of the practising Unani physicians in India are Muslims. Though there are also many practitioners from other communities, most people think of Unani as solely a Muslim system of medicine. Hakim Jameel attributes this to Unani books being available either in Arabic, Persian or Urdu with inadequate translations of these into English and Hindi. This makes it mandatory for aspiring Unani physicians in most Unani medical colleges to know Urdu.Even questions during entrance examination are in Urdu. Hakim Khalid Siddiqi, however, points out that Unani is a well-developed medical science and has nothing to do with Islam or Mulsim culture.He points out that the number of students from other communities in Unani medical colleges in South India is increasing and they are not only going for undergraduate courses but postgraduate courses as well. Siddiqi adds that the number of students from scheduled castes and other backward sections has also registered a sharp rise. Siddiqi observes that most patients seeking Unani treatment are mostly from other communities. For instance, in Delhi, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital's Unani ward receives over 300 patients daily, an overwhelming majority being non-Muslim. He adds that in another Unani centre run by CCRUM's regional office in the predominantly Muslim populated area of Abul Fazal Enclave in Okhla, south Delhi, almost half of the patients are non-Muslim. The notion that it is poor people who use Unani is also wrong. Siddiqi says that most patients of Unani doctors are from well-to-do families. Very poor people cannot afford long-term treatment as Unani medicines are comparatively expensive. Unani vs other natural systems Though Unani's popularity is on the rise and fresh research has opened new vistas for this system, it has lagged far behind ayurveda. The sort of phenomenal growth ayurveda has witnessed remains a dream for Unani system. Unani experts like Prof Syed Maudood Ashraf of Tibbiya College, Aligarh, blame post-Partition trauma and the government's apathy towards the system as reasons for this state of affairs. He adds that Unani institutions suffered enormously during the Partition when the people running these migrated to Pakistan.It took a long time to rebuild them. While Unani was suffering from this upheaval, ayurveda was prospering due to unprecedented government assistance. Yet Prof Zillur Rahman asserts that Unani's achievements despite all these reasons is commendable and that Unani is all set to benefit enormously from people's new-found love for herbal and natural systems of medicine.
(Life Positive)