A literary review on Urolithiasis and its treatment procedures in the perspective of Unani system of medicine

Wajeehu S.1, Fahamiya N.2 and Shiffa M.3

Abstract

Urolithiasis is crystallization of particles within the kidneys which is also known as kidney stones. Development of renal calculi is a complex process which is a state of disturbed equilibrium in the kidney between the promoters and inhibitors. The etiology is multifactorial, but strongly related to dietary habits and lifestyle. This is mainly made up due to presence of high crystals in urine like calcium, oxalates, uricacid and low citrates. Unani healing system approaches the literature of renal calculi in classical texts as Hasat e Kulliyah (kidney stone), Hasate Masana (bladder stone) and Hasate Kulliya wa Masana (kidney and bladder stone). As it is an increasing urological disorder among population, this literary research is aimed to target about the remedial measures in Unani medicine. Therefore, systematic literature review has been carried out to gather information on renal calculi and its remedial measures from Unani classical text and pharmacopeias, ethno-botanical literatures, scientific journals and data bases. The gathered data was analyzed and the results showed that according to Unani philosophers’ factors responsible for urolithiasis are weakness of kidney, thick and viscous humor, concentrated and sticky fluid, Su-e-Mizaj Kulyah (weakened temperament of kidney), Warm-eKulliyah (nephritis), Qurooh-e-Kulliyah (kidney ulcer), Quwwat-e-Dafiyah (weakness of expulsive power) and high virulent temperature. The calculi are treated mainly by dietary and lifestyle modification, as well as Mufattite Hasat (lithotriptic) and Mudir (diuretic) drugs, regimental therapies and surgical procedures. It will be treated with single or either compound drugs such as Habbul Qilt, Duqu, Khare Khasak, Jawakhar, Hajrul Yahood, Aqrab Sokhta, Annanas, Aloobaloo, Majoon Hajrul Yahood, Qurs Kushta Hajrul Yahood, Majoon Aqrab, Sharbat Mudir, Habbe Mudir, Sharbat Ananas etc.