Exploring medicinal plants for skin diseases: A review through the lens of Unani medicine

Abstract

The Unani System of Medicine, grounded in Greco-Arabic medical philosophy, attributes most skin disorders to humoral imbalance and the accumulation of morbid matter within the bloodstream. Therapeutic strategies emphasize restoring humoral equilibrium through Tanqiya-e-Mawad (detoxification), Tadeel-e-Akhlaat (humoural modulation), Islah-e-Mizaj (correction of temperament), and strengthening of vital organs, complemented by tailored dietary and regimenal measures. The Unani pharmacopeia includes a diverse range of medicinal plants endowed with Musaffi (blood-purifying), Muhallil (anti-inflammatory), Mulattif (demulcent), and Mujaffif (desiccant) properties. Mudammil agents further support wound healing and tissue repair, and Da’f-e-Taffun (anti-putrefactive) effects. Many of these drugs have demonstrated significant in vivo and in vitro pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound-healing, and melanogenic effects. Prominent herbs such as Ziziphus jujuba, Azadirachta indica, Swertia chirata, Psoralea corylifolia, Berberis aristata, Smilax china, Sphaeranthus indicus, and Fumaria officinalis show promising therapeutic potential against a spectrum of skin disorders, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, infectious dermatoses, and pigmentation abnormalities. Material and Methods:The authors have gone through a comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify and document medicinal plants used in the management of dermatological diseases in classical Unani medical texts, including Al-Qanoon fi’l-Tibb and Muheet-e-Azam, and Khazain-ul-Adviyah, in addition contemporary published literature was reviewed using electronic databases and peer-reviewed journals to gather updated pharmacological, phytochemical, and clinical evidence. Information was systematically compiled, compared, and analysed to provide an integrative understanding of the classical foundations and modern scientific perspectives on Unani botanicals employed in dermatology. Conclusion: This review underscores the relevance of Unani dermatological therapeutics and highlights the need for further scientific validation, standardization, and clinical evaluation to facilitate the development of effective, evidence-based, and globally acceptable herbal medicinal plants.