Introduction
Unani pharmacology offers a rich materia medica of plant, animal, and mineral drugs, administered both as single substances (mufradat) and in compound formulations (murakkabat). Compound formulations are the hallmark of Unani pharmacy because they allow the physician to address multiple aspects of a disease simultaneously — balancing humors, strengthening affected organs, correcting quality alterations, and removing waste products — all in a single preparation. Generations of Unani physicians have refined these formulations, and many have been standardised in the National Formulary of Unani Medicine published by the Indian Ministry of AYUSH. For the student, learning the major formulations provides a practical foundation for understanding Unani therapeutics. For the patient, understanding the names and purposes of common remedies helps them follow their treatment plan and recognize authentic Unani products. For the clinician, these formulations are the daily working tools of Unani practice, selected according to temperament, humor, and specific disease indication.
Syrups and Liquid Preparations
Sharbat
Sharbat are sweet, concentrated liquid preparations made by dissolving sugar in water, adding medicinal ingredients, and often flavoring with rose water or lemon juice. They are used as vehicles for administering therapeutic herbs and as cooling, nourishing tonics. Typical doses range from ten to twenty milliliters taken once or twice daily, diluted with water.
Sharbat-e-Dinar is one of the most famous Unani cardiac tonics. It contains sandalwood (Santalum album), rose (Rosa damascena), lemon juice, honey, and sugar. It is prescribed for palpitations, cardiac weakness, anxiety, and as a general cooling tonic for choleric and sanguine temperaments. It is considered safe for long-term use. Sharbat-e-Bazoori is a diuretic preparation containing poppy seeds, cucumber seeds, pumpkin seeds, and watermelon seeds. It is used for urinary tract infections, renal calculi, and burning micturition. Sharbat-e-Toot Siyah is prepared from black mulberry (Morus nigra) and is used for sore throat, hoarseness of voice, and pharyngeal inflammation.
Arq (Distillates)
Arq are aromatic distillates prepared by hydrodistillation of medicinal plants. They are the mildest form of Unani medication and are often used as vehicles for other drugs or as refreshing beverages. Arq-e-Gulab (rose water) is the most common distillate, used as a cooling agent, eye wash, and flavoring agent. Arq-e-Pudina (peppermint water) is used for digestive complaints including nausea, flatulence, and dyspepsia. Arq-e-Mako is prepared from Solanum nigrum and is used as a cooling sedative. Arq-e-Ajwayin (carom seed water) is used for colic, indigestion, and infant digestive complaints.
Semisolid and Solid Formulations
Majoon (Confections)
Majoon are thick, semisolid confections prepared by mixing powdered drugs with honey, sugar, or jaggery and cooking to the desired consistency. They are preserved for long periods and are one of the most common dosage forms in Unani medicine. Majoon-e-Supari Pak is a well-known nerve tonic and aphrodisiac containing dates, almonds, pistachios, and various herbal and mineral ingredients. It is prescribed for sexual weakness, general debility, and convalescence. Majoon-e-Urear is used for rheumatoid arthritis and musculoskeletal pain, containing warming herbs and gums that are believed to balance cold, moist humors affecting the joints.
Majoon-e-Dabeed-ul-Ward is a purgative confection used for chronic constipation, skin disorders, and conditions requiring evacuation of morbid humors. It contains senna, rose petals, and laxative herbs. The dose is carefully adjusted because purgative confections can cause excessive evacuation if taken in excess.
Jawarish (Digestive Pastes)
Jawarish are pastes or electuaries specifically designed for digestive health. They contain aromatic and carminative herbs in a base of honey, sugar, or jaggery. Jawarish-e-Kamooni is the most famous digestive preparation, containing cumin (Cuminum cyminum), black pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and other digestive spices. It is prescribed for dyspepsia, flatulence, loss of appetite, and post-meal heaviness. The dose is three to five grams taken after meals.
Jawarish-e-Bisbasa contains mace, nutmeg, and other aromatic herbs and is used specifically for gastric ulcers, hyperacidity, and burning epigastric discomfort. Jawarish-e-Jalinus is named for Galen (Jalinus in Arabic) and contains ginger, peppermint, and asafoetida for chronic digestive weakness and atonic dyspepsia.
Itrifal (Electuaries)
Itrifal are classical Unani electuaries with origins in the Greek tradition. They typically contain three or more ingredients and are taken for specific therapeutic purposes. Itrifal-e-Ustukhuddus is a brain tonic containing lavender (Ustukhuddus), with other nervine herbs, used for memory enhancement, migraine, epilepsy, and neurological weakness. Itrifal-e-Shahatra is a liver tonic and blood purifier containing fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), used for skin disorders, chronic hepatitis, and blood impurities.
Itrifal-e-Muqil is specific for arthritic conditions and contains gum guggul (Commiphora mukul) and other anti-inflammatory herbs. It is used for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout.
Khamira (Semisolid Fermented Preparations)
Khamira are semisolid preparations made by fermenting herbal ingredients with sugar and water, then adding therapeutic drugs. They are considered restorative and tonic in nature. Khamira-e-Abresham is a cardiac tonic containing silk (Abresham — the fibers of silkworm cocoons are considered cardiotonic in Unani), sandalwood, and other cooling ingredients. It is prescribed for palpitations, anxiety, and cardiac debility. Khamira-e-Marwareed contains pearl (Marwareed), ambergris, and musk in a sugar base and is used as a brain and nerve tonic.
Key Single Drugs (Mufradat)
Habb-e-Nishat (literally “pill of vigor”) is a compound formulation but deserves special mention as one of the most widely known Unani remedies. It contains asl-ul-sus (licorice root), maghz-e-badam (almond kernel), maghz-e-chilghoza (pine nut), and other nourishing and warming ingredients. It is used as an aphrodisiac, nerve tonic, and general vitality enhancer. The standard dose is one tablet twice daily for up to three months.
Safoof-e-Muhazzil is an anti-obesity powder containing triphala (the classical Ayurvedic formula of three fruits — haritaki, bibhitaki, amalaki), guggul, and warming spices including ginger and black pepper. It is believed to increase metabolism, reduce fat accumulation, and balance phlegmatic (cold, moist) temperament. The dose is three to five grams taken with warm water before breakfast.
Roghan-e-Banafsha is a medicated oil prepared by infusing violet flowers (Viola odorata) in vegetable oil. It is used for respiratory conditions — applied externally to the chest for cough and congestion, or instilled as nasal drops for sinusitis and headache. It is cooling in temperament and is safe for both adults and children.
Roghan-e-Haft-Barg is a compound oil containing seven herbs, used for facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy), neuralgia, and localized nerve weakness. It is applied externally with gentle massage. Roghan-e-Badam (almond oil) is a simple oil used as a nourishing application for dry skin, as a base for other oils, and as a brain tonic when taken internally in small doses.
Safoof-e-Pachalka is a powder for chronic fever, containing cinchona (for its quinine content), with other antipyretic herbs. Safoof-e-Mustaghri is used for joint pain and gout.
Dosing and Safety Considerations
Unani drugs are prescribed based on the patient’s temperament, age, strength, disease severity, and organ sensitivity. The same drug may be prescribed at different doses for different patients. The classical texts specify doses for each drug and formulation, and practitioners are trained to adjust doses as needed. Children, the elderly, pregnant women, and debilitated patients receive reduced doses. Potent drugs are started at minimal doses and increased gradually.
Quality control is essential. Patients should obtain Unani medicines from licensed manufacturers that follow GMP standards. Some mineral-based Unani drugs contain metals including mercury, lead, or arsenic, which are processed (detoxified) through traditional methods to render them safe for therapeutic use. These processed minerals are called kushta and are used in very small doses under careful supervision. Patients should inform their Unani practitioner about any conventional medications they are taking, as herb-drug interactions are possible. Unani drugs should not be used during pregnancy or lactation without professional guidance.
Conclusion
Unani formulations represent one of the most sophisticated traditional pharmaceutical systems in the world. The range of dosage forms — from gentle distillates and syrups to potent confections, pastes, and processed minerals — allows the physician to select the most appropriate vehicle and potency for each patient. For the student, studying Unani formulations provides insight into a pharmaceutical tradition that balances therapeutic efficacy with elegant delivery systems. For the patient, understanding the common formulations helps them participate in their treatment and recognize quality products. For the clinician, the Unani formulary is a practical toolkit developed over centuries of clinical experience, with documented indications, dosing guidelines, and safety protocols that continue to serve patients today. As with all medicines, Unani drugs should be used only under the supervision of qualified practitioners.