Migraine (Shaqeeqa) and its management in Unani medicine.

Out of many disease conditions suffered by mankind since ancient ages, Migraine holds a significant position. It is derived from the word "hemi-crania" and is a type of primary headache. This disease is mentioned in the ancient scriptures dating back to the Mesopotamian era. It has been documented by Hippocrates (460-377 BC) in his treatise, further explored and explained on the basis of cause and location by Galen (131-201 AD). Later its etiopathogenesis clinical features and management was described by Al-Razi (850-923 AD), an eminent Unani physician. Migraine is a disease majorly affecting one side of the head and characterized by recurrent attacks of pulsating headache, mostly associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia, with or without an aura. It is triggered by noise and light, based on the brightness, intensity, wavelengths or type of light that is being emitted. According to Unani physicians, the word Shaqeeqa is derived from Arabic word 'Shiq', meaning 'a part' or 'a side', hence the name Shaqeeqa. They describe it as a type of headache (Suda) in which pain occurs only in one side of head, and the causative factors for it are the morbid matters and morbid vapours (Bukharat e Radiya) arising from morbid humours which are either excessive in amount, too hot or too cold. It often results due to abnormal substantial temperament (Su-e-Mizaj Maddi) giving two variants acute (Shaqeeqa haar) and chronic (Shaqeeqa barid). The treatment mainly consists of elimination of morbid matter which is accumulated in the body, and strengthening the brain using brain tonics (Muqawwiyat-e-Dimagh).

Migraine (Shaqeeqa) and its management in Unani medicine.

Out of many disease conditions suffered by mankind since ancient ages, Migraine holds a significant position. It is derived from the word "hemi-crania" and is a type of primary headache. This disease is mentioned in the ancient scriptures dating back to the Mesopotamian era. It has been documented by Hippocrates (460-377 BC) in his treatise, further explored and explained on the basis of cause and location by Galen (131-201 AD). Later its etiopathogenesis clinical features and management was described by Al-Razi (850-923 AD), an eminent Unani physician. Migraine is a disease majorly affecting one side of the head and characterized by recurrent attacks of pulsating headache, mostly associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia, with or without an aura. It is triggered by noise and light, based on the brightness, intensity, wavelengths or type of light that is being emitted. According to Unani physicians, the word Shaqeeqa is derived from Arabic word 'Shiq', meaning 'a part' or 'a side', hence the name Shaqeeqa. They describe it as a type of headache (Suda) in which pain occurs only in one side of head, and the causative factors for it are the morbid matters and morbid vapours (Bukharat e Radiya) arising from morbid humours which are either excessive in amount, too hot or too cold. It often results due to abnormal substantial temperament (Su-e-Mizaj Maddi) giving two variants acute (Shaqeeqa haar) and chronic (Shaqeeqa barid). The treatment mainly consists of elimination of morbid matter which is accumulated in the body, and strengthening the brain using brain tonics (Muqawwiyat-e-Dimagh).

Conception in unilateral right tubal blockage with herbomineral formulations: a case report.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Infertility is a state of inability to conceive after unprotected intercourse for 1 year; it involves 1 in 6 couples in England. It is a complex problem with an incidence of 10%-15% and of these, 14% of infertilities are due to a tubal factor. The incidence of unilateral tubal blockage is 33%. Pregnancy can occur in unilateral tubal blockage. In the Unani system of medicine, many herbal drugs are used empirically for enhancing fertility. This case report was an effort to understand the role of Unani formulations in conception. This patient had unilateral tubal blockage and she was also resistant to clomiphene citrate. LOCATION: This study was performed in the Outpatient Department of the National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India. INTERVENTIONS: A 25-year-old female patient with primary infertility for 2½ years was diagnosed with unilateral tubal blockage. She was given Unani treatment with Hab hamal 1 tablet t.i.d. for 5 days from the seventh day of the menstrual cycle, Majoon hamal amberi alvi khani 5 g, and Majoon supari pak 5 g b.i.d. for 1 month from the seventh day of menstrual cycle for two consecutive cycles. OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was to observe the conception in the patient. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The patient conceived within 2 months of the treatment. These formulations might have assisted in conception as they are considered to have uterine tonic, vitalizer, and aphrodisiac properties in Unani medicine. Some of these drugs have been pharmacologically proved to assist in conception, such as Crocus sativus Linn, which is reported to improve fertility that may be attributed to crocetin and/or flavonoids. It is also reported that oysters, which contain zinc and calcium, might have been helped in enhancing fertility.