Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Amjad ALI , M. A. SIDDIQUE, Tanzeel AHMAD, Ahsan ILAHI
Graeco-Arabic Concept of Narfarsi (Eczema)
Ibne Sina (980-1037AD), a legendary Unani physician
and the author of the famous book, “Al Qanoon Fit Tib” has
narrated that Narfarsi is caused by “Khilte Haad” which is
Safravi (bilious) in nature [3].
Abul Mansoorul Hasan Qamri (990AD), the author of
“Ghina Muna” describes that Narfarsi results from “Hiddat
and excess of Dam (blood)” [4].
Ibne Hubul Baghdadi (1243AD), a well-known Unani
scholar and author of “Kitabul Mukhtarat Fit Tib” describes
that Narfarsi is caused by “Raqeeq Khilt”[6].
Another eminent Unani physician Ibnul Qaf Maseehi
(1233-1286AD), stated in his book “Kitabul Umda Fil Jarahat”
that Narfarsi is caused by the intermingling of abnormal
Safra and Sawda, with dominance of Safra in Narfarsi [7].
Ghulam Jilani the author of “Makhzane Hikmat” has
described the following predisposing factors which may be
responsible to cause disease [18].
1. Zoafe Aam
2. Zoafe Aa’sab
3. Less excretion of waste metabolic products
4. Fasade Dam
5. Deedane Ama’a
6. Certain diseases like Niqras, Wajaul Mafasil etc.
7. Zamanae Hamal
8. Dentition Period
Classification
The classification of eczema is difficult not only because
nomenclature is controversial, but also because in many cases
the precise cause is unknown. Multiple factors play the role in
the etiology; however eczemas are classified as follows.
Unani physicians have classified eczema (Narfarsi) according
to the characteristic features of eruption i.e. shape
of rashes and presence or absence of fluid in them. Several
types are described here [3,8,16].
1. According to appearance:
• Aabledar
• Yabis
2. According to colour:
• Siyah
• Rasasi
3. According to severity:
• Haa’d
• Muzmin
Principles of Management
In Unani system of medicine, the management of eczema
is quite effective. The eminent physicians like Abu Bakar
Mohammad Bin Zakaria Razi, Ibne Sina, Akbar Arzani,
Ismail Jurjani, and many other legendary physicians have
described the basic principles of treatment for Narfarsi (eczema)
under the following headings [2,3,5,7].
1. Istifragh: It is the method of elimination of the ‘Akhlate
Fasida’ from the body. These ‘Akhlate Fasida’ are harmful
for body, and enhance the disease process if remain
stagnant in the body. So there is the need of the elimination
of these ‘Akhlate Fasida’ from the body. ‘Nuzj’ must
be given before elimination by administering ‘Munzije
Safra or Sauda’ as the case needed. After the appearance
of features of ‘Nuzj’ in the respective ‘Khilt’, any of the
following methods may be used for Istifragh in Narfarsi.
a) Fas’d
b) Hijamat
c) Irsale Alaq
2. Tabreed wa Tadeel: ‘Tabreed’ is mainly required for ‘Khilt’
which, is present in interstices and below the skin and
responsible for ‘Sozish and Laza’ (burning and irritation).
By ‘Mubarridat’ like Roghane gul and Kafoor breaks the
‘Hiddat’ of causative ‘Khilt’ and minimizes the symptoms
arising from ‘Hiddat and Laza’. Similarly ‘Tadeel’ is practiced
with the objectives of normalizing the qualities of
‘Safra’. Infact ‘Tadeel’ means to bring back the ‘Mizaj of
Khilt’ towards normal and since in this disease, ‘Haa’d
and Laze Safra’ is causative with excess ‘Mizaji Hararat’ so
that excess ‘Hararat’ should be returned to normalcy. It is
usually done to neutralize the small amount of ‘Akhlate
Fasida’ that remains within the body after Istafragh. Here
‘Tadeel wa Tabreed’ are almost synonymous. And for this
purpose various drugs have been mentioned in Unani
text. Some of them are as under.
• Gule Surkh (Rosa damascena)
• Kafoor (Cinnamomum camphora)
• Chiraita (Swertia chirata)
• Chobchini (Smilax china)
• Sirka (Vinegar)
3. Commonly used single Unani drugs
a) Ushba (Smilax ornata)
b) Shahtara (Fumaria parviflora)
c) Unnab (Zizyphus sativa)
d) Mundi (Sphaeranthus indicus)
e) Sarphoka (Tefrosia purpurea)
f) Neem (Azadirachta indica)
g) Hina (Lawsonia inermis)
h) Chobchini (Smilax china)
i) Afsanteen (Artemisia absinthium)
j) Red rose (Rosa damascena)
78
ISHIM 2011-2012