Mizaj-eAdviya(Drugs Temperament)
The Unani medicine presupposes that the drugs also have their own
temperament due to their special constituents. Some drugs are composed
of ingredients having opposite qualities, one quality acting in a way
contrary to the other and these qualities are accommodated in two
different parts of the drug. Ingredients possessing special actions are
called active principles of the drugs. This theory of temperament of
drugs is based on analogy and careful experiments.
Darajat-e-Adviya(Potency of Drugs)
Drugs are graded into four degrees according to their potency. In
Unani system, drugs are used when the physical means and foods fail to
cure a disease. Drugs of low potency should be used, as far as possible
but according to the severity of disease, we may use high potency drugs.
Drugs having greater potency are sometimes harmful. When a severe
disease occurs and there is danger of complete loss of energies and life
then drugs of higher potency can be used from the outset.
Mode of Action
The mechanism or mode of action of a drug can be explained only
partially. For example glycerrhizea causes expectoration by relaxing and
opening the passage of broncheoles but why it does so cannot be
explained. However the Unani physicians have tried to explain it as
follows;The direct action of a drug is the result of its physical or acquired characters. Drugs mainly act by (heat, coldness, moisture or dryness.)
Some of the drugs have peculiar characteristics which influence the body when these drugs are administered.
Kaifiyat(Division of drugs according to quality)
- Ist Group : This group contains drugs with hot temperament such as Musakhenat (Heat producing), Akkal (Erosive) and Mufatteh Sudad (Deobstruant) etc.
- 2nd Group: This group contains cold drugs like Mubarridat ( refrigerents) , Radeat (Repellants) and Mukhaddirad (Anaesthetic) etc.
- 3rd Group: Comprises Murattibat (moist drugs) and Muzliqat (Lubricants) etc.
- 4th Group: These are dry drugs like Mujaffifat (Drying agents), Qabizat (Astringents) and Musaddidat ( obstruents) etc.
Action of Drugs on Particular organ
Actions of drugs n various systems or organs can be described in
detail in the systematic pharmacology. Some drugs can act on peculiar
organs only. For example the Anaesthetics act on the nerve-endings of
sensory nerves.
Use of Munjiz & Mushil(coctive&Purgative
Coctive is used to prepare the matters for excretion through purging or other means of excretion.This mode of treatment is used particularly for treating chronic or obstinate diseases. Purgative is used generally followed by coctive.
Dosage & Timings
While determining the dosage of a drug, factors such as temperament
and potency of drugs, temperament and age of the patient, nature of
disease, severity of the disease, route of drug, etc. must be kept in
mind.High potency drugs or severe purgatives and emetics should be avoided during summers and the severe cold weather. Different types of treatment are prescribed for different stages of the same disease. Some drugs should be used only when the stomach is empty such as anthelminthics while others should be used only after meals e.g. compounds of Iron. Mild action purgatives should be used at night and the sharp action purgatives in the morning.
Route of Drugs Usage
In addition to oral drugs Unani physicians also administered drugs
through Huqna, Abzan, Farzaja, Shiaf, Zimad and Tila etc. The inhalation
through inspiration is also useful in curing many respiratory diseases.
Forms and Shapes of Drugs Usage
Powders, Decoctions, Infusions, Distillates, Tablets, Jawarish,
Majoon, Sharbat, Khameerajat, Bakhoor and Inkebab, Perfumes etc. are
used to achieve the action of required active principles of drugs.
Jawarish is used for stomach diseases and Lauooq for respiratory
disorders etc.
Compounding and Correction of Harmful Effects of Drugs
The harmful effects are either corrected by simple methods or by
compounding with other drugs, for example frying in oil decreases the
irritant effect of the drug.- Drugs are compounded for the following purposes.
- To potentiate the drugs effect (Synergism)
- To decrease the harmful or excessive effect (Antagonism)
- For sharp diffusion of the Drug
- For slow diffusion of the drug.
- For preservation of active principles
- To increase the quantity of a drug.
Substitute of Drugs
In Unani system of Medicine substitutes are generally selected in
reference to one or more actions when a drug is not available or is too
difficult to obtain but as far as possible it is avoided.Rhazes (925. D.) has compiled a treatise titled Maqala fil-Abdal-il-adviyah-fit-tibb-wal-ilaj on the subject of medicinal substitutes wherein he has described the laws of selection of substitute of a drug .
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