ROLE OF UNANI MEDICINE IN MENOPAUSE

ROLE OF UNANI MEDICINE IN MENOPAUSE:

ROLE OF UNANI MEDICINE IN MENOPAUSE

INTRODUCTION:

INTRODUCTION Hormonal imbalance in females after menopause is a natural universal problem. Many interventions including either naturally extracted or synthetic hormones as supplement have been given from varied sources like allopathy, naturopathy, unani medicine to minimize the changes. The targeted hormones are estrogen, progesterone and sometime testosterone.

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Last decade has been a decade of controversy for the benefits and harm of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). After the Women Health Initiative study, the picture has a bit cleared. But still, a lot has to be explored with reference to adverse effects

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY-COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS:

HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY-COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS

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Hormone Replacement therapy is seen as short term relief for some gynecological problems related with hormonal imbalance such as hot flashes, irregular menstruation, fat redistribution etc providing symptomatic relief in menopausal symptoms, atrophic changes, dysmenorrhea, DUB, delayed puberty in girls. Despite the benefits, it is still in controversy due to common side effects like headache, fever, diarrhoea, acne, swelling or edema due to fluid retention, decreased appetite, diplopia and abdominal pain. The above table shows the placebo compared with estrogen alone and a combination of estrogen and progesterone.

NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY:

NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY It is a new concept. NHRT attempts to restore a "bio-identical" hormone balance by replacing in a way that mimics the body's natural hormonal pattern. This may include use of the three human estrogens;(estrone, estradiol, & estriol), progesterone, testosterone, & DHEA. The term "natural" is misleading as many products regarded as conventional are also derived from natural plant sources. Publications & presentations on NHRT make claims about natural estrogen and progesterone yet rely on studies that have used Premarin +/- medroxyprogesterone (MPA).

UNANI-BACK TO BASICS :

UNANI-BACK TO BASICS In India, General population is still having faith in traditional systems of medicine and a large population opts for traditional medicines as their first choice. So it becomes imperative to search for potential alternatives from the traditional systems of medicine. Unani medicine is one of the officially recognized, holistic and humanistic comprehensive healing systems based on scientific data. Most of its drugs are natural in their sources and formations. This system emphasizes the philosophy of Tabiyat (self-physician or body's natural healing process) and lays emphasis on modification of life style factors to create such an environment in the body and around it. In addition, Unani system of medicine lays emphasis on modification of six lifestyle factors “Asbab-e-Sitta Zarooriyah” to maintain humoral equilibrium and body's natural mechanisms.

SOME UNANI MEDICINAL PLANTS:

SOME UNANI MEDICINAL PLANTS Herbs typically used to treat menstrual irregularity, hot flashes and vaginal discomfort include Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus), Damask rose (Rosa damascene), Golden seal (Hydrastis canadenis), Ladies mantle (Wchemilla vulgaris), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Vervain (Verbena officinalis) , Toodri zard (Lepidium peruvianum), Basfaij fastaqi (Polypodium vulgare ), Soyabean (Soya hspida ), etc. some of the above plant has some constituents which has phenolic structure similar to that of oestrogen , known as phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal compounds . Because of their structural similarity with oestradiol ( 17-beta- estradiol ) have the ability to cause oestrogenic activity because : Some of the above mentioned herbs contains lignan , sisoflavones ( a type of phytoestrogen , an steroidal compound having structural resemblance to human oestrogen / its derivatives ) such as diadzein, genistein, biochanic, formonoetin etc

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Blue Cohosh has been studied and appears to be a useful alternative for short term relief of menopausal symptoms. Other herbs may be considered for menopausal conditions: St. John's Wort (mild depression), Ginkgo biloba (memoryimpairment), valerian (sleep disturbances). Herbs for which data do not support their use include: Ginsing, Dong Quai, and Evening Primrose Oil.

SOME MORE PLANTS:

SOME MORE PLANTS 1. lepidium peruvianum Common name Maca tree, Unani name Toodri Part used roots In female it stimulates the natural production of oestrogen and progesterone so it helps to cure hot flashes and some menopausal symptoms. Its roots helps to restore hormones level and is widely used by menopausal women to calm down most of the symptoms. with the above discussion it is clear that maca tree roots can be used as replacement of HRT.

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2. Vitex agnus castus or Vitex negundo Common name chaste tree, vitex, monks pepper Unani name sambhalu, utluq, banjankusht Parts used leaves and seeds Vitex is usedas alternative medicine to alleviate the symptoms of various gynaecological problems such as early menopause , uterine fibroids, infertility, lutial phase defect. 3. Salvia offocinalis Common name sage tree, Unani name salbia Parts used leaves With the use of this drug post menopausal and menopausal symptoms are controlled or limited up to some extent, regarding with this , it is said that this drug has mild oestrogenic activity . In recent times it is confirmed by several clinical trials, so we can say that this drug can be used replacement to HRT.

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4. Hypericum perforatum Common name st johns wort , Unani name basant Parts used leaves This drug has long history of traditional therapeutic benefits, against menopausal symptoms such as depression , anxiety , hot flashes , fuzzy thinking , loss of tone in breast etc. Now these therapeutic benefits are confirmed by clinical trials. A no. of controlled clinical trials have supported the traditional claim of its oestrogenic activity. 5. Bambax ceiba linn Common name semal , silk, Unani name noorma , seemal Parts used young roots Its fresh young roots extract are used as sex tonics of males and females both. Its use is also beneficial in cases of depression , loss of libido , and in erectile dysfunction up to some extent. With this discussion it is clear that it has a direct influence on male and female sex hormones so it can be seen as a possible replacement of HRT.

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6. Polypodium vulgare Common name poly pody, Unani name bisfaij fastaqi Parts used fresh roots and dry root It has a traditional history of medicinal importance. It was used in case of infertility and impotence( specially infertility ) due to hormonal imbalance, now a days a no. of clinical trials has proved that this drug has therapeutic effects against infertility and impotence. Since infertility is may be due to alteration in the concentration of oestrogen and progesterone. Its beneficial effects against infertility shows that this drug has direct influence on sex hormones. With the above discussion it is conformed that this drug can replace HRT.

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7. Soya hispida Common name soy, unani name soyabean Parts used plant extract , soy milk , soy nuts It is during research that this plant has some constituents which has phenolic structure similar to that of oestrogen , known as phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring non-steroidal compounds . because of their structural similarity with oestradiol ( 17-beta- estradiol ) have the ability to cause oestrogenic activity. The group of phytoestrogen found in say plant is known as isoflavones. It consists of Genistein, Diadzein, Biochanic and formonoetin. In say plants these isoflones are discovered in recent studies , after findings the effects on fertility of grazing sheeps on soy plant fields. It is also effective in menopausal symptoms osteoporosis , with the above discussion it is clear that this plant is an alternative to HRT.

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Moreover, Diets that regularly contain estrogenic plant components also may help stem hot flashes by adding to estrogen levels in the body. Researchers speculate that some plant factors obtained through diet might also reduce the risk for cancer: by binding to and blocking estrogen receptors, thus diminishing the effects of incoming natural estrogen that otherwise might lead to tumor growth. Food sources of phytoestrogens (e.g. soybean, linseed, tofu) have estrogen like activity with varied beneficial effects on lipids,reducing breast cancer, hot flushes, and vaginal dryness. It's a high time to explore this time-tested system of medicine through a scientific and rational viewpoint as an alternative. Rational therapy based on temperament evaluation should be provided to the patients

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