Examining The Medicinal Role Of Alum In Unani Medicine: An Overview Of Traditional Uses And Scientific Investigations

Year : 2024 | Volume : | : | Page : –
By

Asma RA Chaudhry

Asma Malik Azmi

Asif Ali Chaudhary

S. Saleemunnisa Yousuf

  1. Professor Dept of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraz e Niswan, ZVM Unani Medical College and Hospital, Pune Maharashtra India
  2. Professor Dept of Kulliyat , ZVM Unani Medical College and Hospital, Pune Maharashtra India
  3. Assistant Professor Dept. of Moalijat, Anjuman-I-Islam’s Dr M.I.J.T Tibbia Unani Medical College and Haji A.R Kalsekar Tibbia Hospital, Mumbai Maharashtra India
  4. Assistant Professor Dept of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib, ZVM Unani Medical College and Hospital, Pune Maharashtra India

Abstract

Alum, also known as Shibb-e-Yamani, is a crystalline substance devoid of color, transparent, and lacking any scent. It possesses a sweetish astringent flavor and is categorized as a hydrated double salt. Typically, it comprises aluminum sulfate, water molecules as part of its structure, and the sulfate of another element. Frequently, it’s found mixed with impurities. To render it suitable for medicinal usage, a process involves dissolving it in boiling water, straining the solution, and then evaporating it to procure crystals that are preserved for various applications. This versatile compound holds immense significance across numerous industries. It plays a pivotal role in producing medicines, textiles, sugar, paper, paints, matches, and deodorants. Moreover, it finds its way into baking powder, fire extinguishers, dyeing as a binder, water purification as a flocculating agent, and paper waterproofing. Its properties are vast, including astringent, hemostatic, caustic, styptic, antispasmodic, and antiseptic attributes. Its action involves reducing exhalations, organic secretions, and blood supply to a specific area by constricting small vessels and fibers. In the realm of Unani medicine, alum stands as a mineral-derived remedy. Its applications encompass a wide array of therapeutic uses due to its astringent, analgesic, hemostatic, desiccative, and expulsive properties concerning the placenta and fetus. It further showcases antipyretic, detergent, corrosive, expectorant, emetic, and irritant characteristics. While various in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies have explored aspects like antibacterial traits, hemostatic qualities, wound healing potential, anti-obesity effects, and larvicidal activities, these investigations remain insufficient in fully encapsulating the extensive therapeutic indications highlighted in Unani literature. This review endeavors to delve into alum’s medicinal potential within Unani medicine and underscore the necessity for further research to uncover its unexplored properties.

Keywords: Alum, traditional, Unani, scientific study, Phitkiree, Shibb-e-Yamani

How to cite this article: Asma RA Chaudhry, Asma Malik Azmi, Asif Ali Chaudhary, S. Saleemunnisa Yousuf. Examining The Medicinal Role Of Alum In Unani Medicine: An Overview Of Traditional Uses And Scientific Investigations. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2024; ():-.
How to cite this URL: Asma RA Chaudhry, Asma Malik Azmi, Asif Ali Chaudhary, S. Saleemunnisa Yousuf. Examining The Medicinal Role Of Alum In Unani Medicine: An Overview Of Traditional Uses And Scientific Investigations. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2024; ():-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joayush/article=2024/view=137738


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Ahead of Print Subscription Review Article
Volume
Received October 17, 2023
Accepted October 25, 2023
Published January 1, 2024