Herbal Medicine in Unani Tradition: Managing Depression from A Holistic Perspective

Abstract

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition marked by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in once- enjoyed activities, often accompanied by an inability to carry out daily tasks, lasting for at least two weeks. In the field of Unani medicine, this disorder falls under the category of "Nafsiyati awamil," with its classical description referred to as "Malenkholiya" or melancholia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), depression ranks as the fourth leading cause of disability globally, affecting approximately 5% of the general population. In the Unani perspective, depression is not viewed as a standalone disease but rather as a collection of symptoms associated with "Malankholia" or melancholy. This condition disrupts an individual's mental functions, resulting in constant feelings of sorrow, fear, and uncertainty. Unani scholars attribute these psychological and psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depression, to an imbalance in "Ghair Tabayi Sauda" or abnormal black bile. To address these conditions, Unani medicine places significant emphasis on "Mufarrehat" or exhilarants as a fundamental component of treatment, following the evacuation of vitiated humors from the body. Recent preclinical studies have shed light on the effects of various plants that have been used for centuries in the treatment of psychological disorders. These plants are shown to influence the central nervous system and exhibit pharmacological effects that were previously unknown in the medical field. This review aims to underscore the impact of Unani antipsychotic drugs on the central nervous system, focusing particularly on the antidepressant properties of "Mufarrehat," thus providing contemporary validation for the classical Unani concept.