Herbal Interventions for Obesity: A Review of Unani Medicinal Herbs

World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity and overweight as excessive or aberrant fat accumulation that poses an increased health risk. Despite this oversimplified definition, obesity is a complex illness caused by a persistently positive energy balance, or when dietary energy intake surpasses energy expenditure. Extra energy is transformed into triglycerides, which are then stored in depots of adipose tissue that enlarge, resulting in weight gain and an increase in body fat. The escalating global prevalence of obesity, impacting more than two billion individuals, necessitates innovative and holistic approaches in public health. This review paper aims to evaluate the potential of medicinal herbs in obesity management by systematically examining their mechanisms of action, including enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes, to propose an integrative, safer, and holistic approach to enhance current strategies for obesity treatment. A comprehensive search of literature was conducted in PubMed, Google scholar, and Science Direct. Search was conducted using the terms - "Unani herbs", obesity management, Siman Mufrit. This review paper highlights critical evaluation of contemporary obesity management strategies, emphasizing need for safer and more sustainable alternatives. Insights from Unani medicine contribute to a holistic understanding of obesity, paving way for an exploration of medicinal herbs and their mechanisms of action. Enzyme inhibition, appetite suppression, and modulation of metabolic processes emerge as key factors in anti-obesity effects of medicinal herbs. In conclusion, this comprehensive review underscores potential of medicinal herbs as promising contributors to global obesity management drawing insights from epidemiological data and traditional Unani medicine. By combining traditional wisdom with modern research, a more holistic and individualized approach can be achieved. The proposed integrative strategy advocates for further research, collaboration, and shift towards natural and culturally sensitive healthcare practices to address obesity.