THERAPEUTIC APPLICATION OF TANKAR (BORAX) ACCORDING TO UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE: A REVIEW

Borax is a mineral origin drug belongs to traditional system of medicine. It is a color less, translucent monoclinic crystalline with irregular shape. Chemically it is composition of boric acid and sodium. Its important component is Boron. It is also called as Sodium biborate. Borax contains 11.3% boron. Turkey is the largest source of borax about 73% of world. Vegetables, Fruits and salts are the main source of boron. Borax is used as a medicine because of its various therapeutic purposes such as Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Osteogenesis, Genotoxic, Vermicidal, Hemostatic, Analgesic and Healing properties. The information about this drug was extracted from traditional, modern drugs and electronic resources. Borax naturally present in crude form known as “sohagroo or tinkala”. After purification sohagroo called as Tankar (borax) and used for multiple therapeutic purposes. Borax is pentahydrate with specific gravity 1.73 having wide range of actions in Unani System of Medicine (USM) such as Jali(Cleanser/Detergent), Dafe-taaffun ( Antiseptic), Hazim ( Digestive), qatil-e-Jaraseem (Insecticides), Akkal (Corrosive), Munaffis-e-balgham (Expectorant), Mudir-e-hydz (Emmenogogue), Mudir-e-bowl (Diuretic), Kasir-i-Riyah (Carminative) and Daf-esamoom (Antidot). Traditionally used orally in the treatment of acidity, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, puerperal convulsions (PIH). Locally beneficial for ulcers, piles, cystitis, leucorrhea, gonorrhea, cervical erosion also treat skin disease such as ringworm, acne, Pityriasis and melasma. Borax has temperament hot and dry temperament.