Darchini (Cinnamon): A versatile drug in Unani system of medicine: An extensive review

Abstract

Darchini (Cinnamon) is used from ancient times as a traditional medicine due to its tremendous medicinal properties. It is obtained from the inner bark of various species of evergreen trees of Cinnamomum genus. The drug belongs to Lauraceae Family. The most popular species of cinnamon are found in Sri Lanka, China and India however it is grown throughout Asia, Europe and North America. It has multiple uses from as anaromatic spice or a flavouring additive to far more diverse medicinal uses. It contains numerous organic components like essential oil, eugenol, glycosides, tannins, resins, flavonols along with many inorganic compounds such as iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride and phosphate. In Unani system of medicine, Darchini is not only used as a single drug but also remains an integral part of several compound formulations. It is vastly used for the treatment of a number of diseases such as Zoaf-e-ishteha (Anorexia), Qai (Vomiting), Is’haal (Diarrhoea), Istarkha-e-ratoobi(Dropsy), Iltehaab (Inflammation), Zaheer (Dysentery), Kasrat-e-haiz(Menorrhagia), Matli (Nausea)etc. Moreover, it possesses many pharmacological activities such ascardio-protective, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant andanti-inflammatory. The present study is an attempt to review comprehensively various medicinal properties of Darchini and its pharmacological activities in the light of Unani classical literature.