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Traditional Unani Plant-Based Therapies for Menopausal Symptoms in Women

  • Arshiya Sultana (Department of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraze Niswan (Gynaecology and Obstetrics), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH) ;
  • Fahmida Kousar (A and U Tibbia College & Hospital) ;
  • Shahzadi Sultana (Department of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraze Niswan (Gynaecology and Obstetrics), Govt. Nizamia Tibbi College) ;
  • Taseen Banu (GPHC) ;
  • Arfa Begum (Department of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraze Niswan (Gynaecology and Obstetrics), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH)
  • Received : 2023.08.21
  • Accepted : 2023.10.10
  • Published : 2023.11.30

Abstract

Menopause is a physiological phase experienced by all women as part of normal aging known as menopause. Per se, menopause is not a disease, but hormonal imbalance may lead to menopausal symptoms in some women. The unani physician described that in Sinn-i-Inḥiṭāṭ/ Sinn al-Yās, Burūdat (coldness) increases lead to Ihtibās al-Tamth (amenorrhea) that can occur naturally. Besides, Khilt Dam (blood) production decreases from the liver, slight production occurs, tends towards Burūdat. Therefore, at this age, Ihtibās al-Tamth is associated with Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās(menopausalsymptoms) including weight gain, loss of appetite, hirsutism, fatigue, headache, backache, arthralgia, neck pain, general myalgia, nervousness, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. The traditional Unani manuscripts are enriched with knowledge for the management of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Consequently, an extensive exploration of classical texts concerning the management of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās was undertaken. Moreover, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and other indexing databases were thoroughly explored for evidence-based approaches to managing menopausalsymptoms. The principle management as per Unani texts is to treat the cause of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Unani medicines with emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties are beneficial for the amelioration of Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Unani Herbs such as Asgandh, Aslusūs, Khārkhasak, Tagar, Shuneez, Ustukhuddus, Zafran, and Majūn Najāh possess properties and are proven scientifically for their efficacy in Alāmāt Sinn al-Yās. Hence, the substantiation and preservation of traditional knowledge assume paramount importance in facilitating prospective research and proving invaluable in the modern era. Moreover, the conduct of randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses becomes imperative.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We are thankful to the authors cited in the texts.

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