Exploring the Role of Diets as Nutraceuticals in Unani Medicine: A Comprehensive Review
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Abstract
The term ‘nutraceuticals’, derived from the combination of the words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’, can be explained as a food or part of food that possesses some nutritional value along with medicinal properties. Nutraceuticals not only influence the body's inflammatory pathways but also help neutralize damaging free radicals, support metabolic regulation, and aid in cellular repair and protection. Herbal nutraceuticals provide a natural and sustainable approach to healthcare, aligning with the global shift toward functional foods and integrative medicine. In the Unani system of medicine, the role of diets and drinks for health issues has been given potential significance since the distant past. Unani scholars not only presented the concept of nutrition but also endorsed some special diets for specific diseases. The Unani classical texts provide a huge material on these diet dosage forms, for instance, Mā’ al-Sha‘īr (Barley water), Mā’ al-Laḥm (Meat distillate), Mā’ al-‘Asal (Honey water), Mā’ al-Jubn (Whey), Mā’ al-Buqūl (Vegetable juice), Mā’ al-Fawākih (Fruit juice), Sikanjabīn (Oxymel), Murabbā (Fruit preserve), Gulqand (Flower conserve), etc., that are used as nutraceuticals for treating ailments. These diets play an instrumental role in maintaining health, improving quality of life, and acting against nutritional deficiencies and lifestyle disorders such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and heart disease. This review aims to provide detailed insights into selected special diets, highlighting their bioactive compounds and health benefits to support their potential in promoting health and preventing disease. Further, the concept of nutraceuticals is briefly described with both modern and Unani perspectives.
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| Issue | Vol. 11, No. 3, 2026 -In Press- | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Diet Dietotherapy Ilāj bi’l-Ghidhā Nutraceuticals Unani medicine | ||
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