Eczema (Nar-e-Farsi) and its line of treatment in Unani and contemporary medicine

Abstract

Eczema which is now termed as a type of dermatitis is an age-old disease described and treated by unani and modern dermatologists since long. In medivial unani literature the term nar e farsi used for this disease which is Persian term means ‘fire of Persia’ it indicates the burning sypmptoms related to this disease. Unani tibb relates this disease to ‘safra’ i.e. yellow bile humor. The cause of the disease is not yet ascertained as some says irritation some relates this to atopy and contact allergies. Besides this curative treatment is still in obscure. Treatment is also not yet provided by Unani atibba (Unani Physicians) but they mention some principles to treat this chronic disease which make this less cumbersome and symptoms become largely abolished. Several types of drugs as musaffi-e-dam, muhallil e awram and soothing oils applied to treat the condition. Therapies are also used to alleviate the symptoms.