RECENT ADVANCES IN GILE MAKHTUM (SEALED EARTH); AN ANTIDOTE IN UNANI MEDICINE A MINI REVIEW

Abstract

The medical use of clays/earths and other minerals may be traced to prehistoric times. The use of ochre for a wide variety of ailments, including for intestinal problems as well as for various eye ailments was recorded in Ebers Papyrus. Gile Makhtum is an earth brought from a hilly area located at Milos island of Greece. Makhtum is an Arabic word which means stamped or sealed. Due to the soft nature of Gile Makhtum it can be stamped easily. In earlier times Gile Makhtum was sold in the market in the form of cakes stamped with the seal of the head of Artemis (Greek goddess) for authenticity. That's why this clay was named Gile Makhtum . From 13th to 14 th centuries Gile Makhtum (terra sigillata) was the most sought after drug due to its efficacy against poisons and a number of diseases including plague during epidemics. Terra sigillata was included in the first edition of the Pharmacopoeia of the Royal College of Physicians of London, in 1618. Its temperament is cold and dry in third degree having Tiryaq samoom (antidote of poison), Daf-e-Humma Wabaiya (Antipyretic to epidemic fever), Mufarreh (Exhilarant), Muqawwi-e-Qalb (Cardiotonic), Muqawwi-e-Meda (stomachic), Qabiz (Astringent), Habis-ud-Dam (Styptic), Mujaffif (Desiccant), Mugharri (Agglutinant) and Mundamile qurooh (cicatrizant) actions. The chemical composition of Gile Makhtum is Silicates-37.23%, Ferric oxide-4.08%, Aluminum oxide-13.51%, Calcium oxide-22.90%, Magnesia and alkali oxides-1.50%. This clay is supposed to be the first drug used on humans for clinical trials. Wendel Thumblardt, a German prisoner, was the first human volunteer for testing the theriac effect of terra sigillata, against mercury sublimate. He drank a draught of the clay mixed with wine after consuming mercury sublimate and he survived. As per agreement with the authorities he was freed from prison. This review will be helpful to the students, researchers for exploring other actions as mentioned in literature by modern methods.