{"title":"Understanding Depression, Its Impact, and Management Strategies in the Light of Unani Medicine.","authors":"Arfa Bano, Mohammad Hashir, Mariyam Jameel, Sabba Saltanat, Fauzia Shahabuddin, Hifzur Rahman","doi":"","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder affecting millions globally, leading to significant personal and societal burdens. Characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and various cognitive and physical symptoms, it remains a major clinical challenge. Current treatment methods primarily rely on antidepressants and psychotherapy; however, many patients experience limited relief or adverse side effects, necessitating alternative approaches. Unani medicine offers a holistic strategy, focusing on humoral balance through natural remedies, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This review aims to examine depression from both modern and traditional perspectives.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>A comprehensive review was conducted by analyzing classical Unani manuscripts and contemporary scientific databases. Foundational texts such as Al-Qanoon Fit Tib, Kamil-us-Sana'a, Zakhira Khwarzam Shahi, Al Aqseer, and Moulijat Buqratiya were assessed for insights. Modern databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched with terms like \"Malikhuliya\", \"Unani medicine\", \"depression\", \"black bile\", and \"mental disorders\". Articles addressing both theoretical frameworks and clinical perspectives on depression were included in the study.</p><p><strong>Results and discussion: </strong>Comparing modern and traditional treatments provides key insights into depression management. Conventional pharmacotherapy, including Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), effectively alleviates symptoms but has drawbacks such as delayed efficacy, side effects, and relapse risks. Studies suggest that integrating Unani principles with modern therapies may enhance treatment outcomes by improving adherence, reducing side effects, and promoting holistic well-being.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Unani medicine provides complementary strategies that emphasize overall well-being. Integrating both systems may enhance treatment effectiveness, ensuring a balanced and personalized approach. Clinical trials assessing Unani herbal formulations alongside conventional medications could optimize depression management, paving the way for improved mental health care globally.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>depression, psychotherapy, melancholy, Unani Medicine, Malikhuliya.</p>","PeriodicalId":7571,"journal":{"name":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-09-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Alternative therapies in health and medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Depression is a prevalent mental health disorder affecting millions globally, leading to significant personal and societal burdens. Characterized by persistent sadness, hopelessness, and various cognitive and physical symptoms, it remains a major clinical challenge. Current treatment methods primarily rely on antidepressants and psychotherapy; however, many patients experience limited relief or adverse side effects, necessitating alternative approaches. Unani medicine offers a holistic strategy, focusing on humoral balance through natural remedies, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications.
Objectives: This review aims to examine depression from both modern and traditional perspectives.
Methodology: A comprehensive review was conducted by analyzing classical Unani manuscripts and contemporary scientific databases. Foundational texts such as Al-Qanoon Fit Tib, Kamil-us-Sana'a, Zakhira Khwarzam Shahi, Al Aqseer, and Moulijat Buqratiya were assessed for insights. Modern databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched with terms like "Malikhuliya", "Unani medicine", "depression", "black bile", and "mental disorders". Articles addressing both theoretical frameworks and clinical perspectives on depression were included in the study.
Results and discussion: Comparing modern and traditional treatments provides key insights into depression management. Conventional pharmacotherapy, including Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), effectively alleviates symptoms but has drawbacks such as delayed efficacy, side effects, and relapse risks. Studies suggest that integrating Unani principles with modern therapies may enhance treatment outcomes by improving adherence, reducing side effects, and promoting holistic well-being.
Conclusion: Unani medicine provides complementary strategies that emphasize overall well-being. Integrating both systems may enhance treatment effectiveness, ensuring a balanced and personalized approach. Clinical trials assessing Unani herbal formulations alongside conventional medications could optimize depression management, paving the way for improved mental health care globally.
期刊介绍：
Launched in 1995, Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine has a mission to promote the art and science of integrative medicine and a responsibility to improve public health. We strive to maintain the highest standards of ethical medical journalism independent of special interests that is timely, accurate, and a pleasure to read. We publish original, peer-reviewed scientific articles that provide health care providers with continuing education to promote health, prevent illness, and treat disease. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine was the first journal in this field to be indexed in the National Library of Medicine. In 2006, 2007, and 2008, ATHM had the highest impact factor ranking of any independently published peer-reviewed CAM journal in the United States—meaning that its research articles were cited more frequently than any other journal’s in the field.
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine does not endorse any particular system or method but promotes the evaluation and appropriate use of all effective therapeutic approaches. Each issue contains a variety of disciplined inquiry methods, from case reports to original scientific research to systematic reviews. The editors encourage the integration of evidence-based emerging therapies with conventional medical practices by licensed health care providers in a way that promotes a comprehensive approach to health care that is focused on wellness, prevention, and healing. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine hopes to inform all licensed health care practitioners about developments in fields other than their own and to foster an ongoing debate about the scientific, clinical, historical, legal, political, and cultural issues that affect all of health care.
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