Alopecia/ Pelade (Da-ul- Sa'lab)

Introduction

It is a condition in which impairment of skin function (Fasaad-e- jild) occurs, resulting in hair fall from the affected area specially scalp, beard and eye brows etc. without sloughing of skin (Insilakh-e- jild).

It is caused by sticking of acrid and noxious matter (Hadd wa lazi radi madda) related to any of the four humours (Akhlaat) to the hair roots leading to compromised nutrition of hair.

It is characterized by hair fall from the affected part. The part becomes whitish and soft when caused by burnt phlegm (Balgham Mohtaraq), yellowish dry and rough when caused by preponderance of yellow bile (Safra) ash coloured dry and rough when caused by preponderance of black Bile (Sauda), reddish and soft when caused by preponderance of sanguine (Dam). Signs and symptoms of respective humoral morbidity may be seen.

Principles of Treatment (Usool-e- Ilaj)

Evacuation of morbid matter (Tanqiya), followed by local management (Tadbeer-e- Maqaami)
Dietary Modification (Islaah-e- Ghiza)
Trichogenesis (Inbaat-e- Sha’r)

Management in Unani Medicine

Hair tonic/Hair grower (Munabbite Sha’ar Advia): These drugs provide nutrition to hair follicles and hair grows at affected area they becomes long and shiny e.g. Roghan Baiza-e- Murgh, Roghan-e- Gandum and Mustard.
These drugs act locally and increase blood supply and nutrition of roots of hairs. So hairs become dense and falling of hair is inhibited e.g. Roghan-e- Malkangni and Roghan-e- Gandum etc.
Hair Blackener (Musawwiidat-e- Sha’ar): Some Unani drugs make white hairs as black, such as Halela Siyah (Terminalia chebula Retz.) and Bhangra Siyah (Eclipta prostrata Linn.)

Unani Single Drugs

Piyaz Allium cepa Linn.
Seer/ Lahsun Allium sativum Linn.
Khardal/ Rayi Brassica nigra Linn.
Bhangra Siyah Eclipta prostrata (Linn.) Linn. Syn.: E. alba (Linn.) Hassk.
Haleela Siyah Terminalia chebula Retz.
Zanjabeel/ Adrak Zingiber officinale Rosc
Habb-ul- Ghar Laurus nobilis Linn.
Parsiaushaan Adiantum capillaris-veneris Linn.
Malkangni Celestrus peniculatus
Sarson Brassica rapa Linn. Syn.: B. campestris Linn.
Zaraareeh Cantharide
Kalonji Nigella sativa Linn.
Suddab Ruta graveolans Linn.
Farfiyoon Euphorbia resinifera Berg.
Maweezaj Vitis vinifera Linn.
Razyanaj Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
Kaf-e- Dariya Cuttle fish bone
Gandhak/ Kibreet Sulphur
Armium bole Booraq

Pharmacotherapy (Ilaj Bil Dawa)

Oral administration of Joshanda-e- Halela for purgation of yellow bile (Ishaal-e- Safra)
Oral administration of Joshanda-e- Aftimoon for purgation of black bile (Ishaal-e- Sauda)
Local application of Allium sativum Linn. (Seer) and seed of Brassica nigra Linn. (Khardal) proceeded by rubbing of affected part with rough cloth.
Local application of burnt cuttle fish bone (Kaf-e- Dariya Sokhta) mixed with vinegar
Rubbing of piece of Allium cepa Linn. (Piyaz)
Local application of olive oil on affected part
Local application of castor oil on affected part
Local application of sulphur (Gandhak) mixed with vinegar
Local application of Cuttle fish bone (Kaf-e- Dariya) 7 gm., Armium bole (Booraq) 7 gm., Seeds of Brassica nigra Linn. (Khardal), 7 gm., Sulphur (Kibreet) 7 gm., Ruta graveolans Linn. (Suddab) 7gm., Euphorbia resinifera Berg. (Farfiyoon) 7 gm., Vitis vinifera Linn. (Maweezaj) 3.5 gm., Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Razyaanaj) 3.5 gm., mixed with olive oil.

Unani Compound Drugs

Habb-e- Ayaarij
Habb-e- Aftimoon
Habb-e- Qawaqaya
Roghan-e- Malkangni
Roghan-e- Gandum
Roghan Baize-e- Murgh
Roghan-e- Zaitoon
Roghan-e- Turb
Roghan-e- Beed-e- Injeer
Roghan-e- Zaitoon
Roghan-e- Bakain

Regimenal Therapy (Ilaj Bil Tadbeer)

Bloodletting through cephalic vein (Fasd-e- Qeefal)
Purgation (Ishaal

Dietary Recommendations

Maa-ul- Jubn

Dietary Restrictions

Diets according to the preponderance of humour involved

Prevention/ Precaution/ Tahaffuz

Avoid indulgence in heavy exercise
Avoid excessive perspiration in Hammam (Bath)
Avoid excessive use of chemicals on hair

Note: Unani drugs should be taken under the advice of the qualified Unani physician. The patients are required to follow strict Unani regimen for optimum results.

References