Tadbeer-e-advia: A Unani Process of Detoxification of Poisonous Drugs: A Review

The Unani System of Medicines (USM) is one of the oldest traditional systems of medicine, and deals with drugs of plants, animals and minerals origin where maximum are of plant origin. Most of the drugs used in USM are believed to be safe. But among the drugs of these origins are known for their toxic, undesirable and harmful effects. Unani Scholars divided all the drugs into four categories first, second, third and fourth, according to their mizaj (Temperament). The drugs belong to first and second degree likely safe, but the drugs belong to third- and fourth-degree are described to produce harmful effects if used without detoxification. The Unani scholar recommended that not to use the third and fourth degree drugs without detoxification. If these drugs are used without detoxification as per the method mentioned in Unani pharmaceutics, then such drugs may produce adverse effects. Therefore, these drugs are detoxified to decrease their toxicity. This article discusses the Tadbeer-e-advia (detoxification of drugs).