Exploring Obstruction and Deobstruent Drugs in Unani Medicine: A Comprehensive Survey and Future Directions

Obstruction and its consequences have become a threat to human health globally. It includes thrombosis, embolism, and obstruction in the airway, bile duct, lymphatic channels, and intestines. Through extensive research, it was discovered that ancient Unani scholars discussed the concept of obstruction under the term "Suddah," which translates to "blocking the way".

This study aims to explore the predisposing factors and causes of obstruction and mode of action of various deobstruent (Mufattiḥ-i-Sudad) drugs.

The concept of obstruction formation and deobstruent drugs was explored in various Unani classical literature, published indexed journals, dissertations, authentic websites, and journals.

Based on observations from the literature, obstruction (Suddah) most commonly arises due to an excess of cold temperament (shadīd burudāt) and derangement of morbid matter (māddā) in terms of quantity and quality. Specifically, excessive, viscous, and thick humor (kaseer, lesdar, and ghaleez khilt) can become occluded in various passages and cavities of the body. Further analysis revealed that deobstruent drugs exhibit a hot temperament (ha'rr), a bitter taste, and possess multiple properties such as being demulcent (latafat), resolvent (tahallul), detergent (jīla), and disintegrator (taqti').

This study serves as a tool for screening deobstruent (Mufattiḥ-i-Sudad) drugs which can be used in various forms of obstruction occurring in the lumen and cavities of the body. The deobstruent drugs with their reported activities validated the concept of deobstruent (Mufattih sudad) activity.