Vol. 9, No. l Jan-June 2006 J. Baqai Med. Univ.

The Role of Traditional System of Medicine in Home Remedies

Syed Riaz Baquar

ABSTRACT

Traditional system of medicine has evolved gradually over a long period of time and has become a successful alternative system in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Many drugs that were used in prehistoric times for healing various ailments are still in use. Many of them have become a way of life as they are used intuitively in our diet either as a culinary cuisine, as spice or condiment, as appetizer or as digestive additive. Some common such drugs are for example: garlic, ginger, onion, celery, kalonji, methi, mustard, clove, curcuma, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon mint, olive, ajwian, coriander, fennel, til, zeera and bing (asafoetida) among others. A conservative estimate suggest that about 80% people in Pakistan especially in rural areas, use herbal medicine as unani / hikmat / tibb or ayurvedic preparations 1,2,3,4.

Key Words: Traditional Medicine , Home Remedies

INTRODUCTION

Traditional system of medicine in home remedies in Pakistan is as old as human kind . As microbes preceded human development, man found him surrounded with innumerable types of diseases . Initially it was not known that diseases are caused by various types of microorganism such as: insects, fungi, bacteria and viruses. These were associated with evil spirits, devils, shamans and various other unknown causes. Gradually researches revealed the role of microorganisms especially bacteria and viruses towards spread of diseases4

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Throughout this period man used various drugs of plants, animals or mineral origin5•8•9•10•11 without knowing the active principles that helped in healing. Many of those drugs that were used since medieval ages have been retained while

others discarded or eliminated from the long list of such original drugs. The use of various drugs was under the influence of the Elders and wise men of those societies that used them. Traditional system in Inda-Pakistan sub continent developed through constant interaction between various cultures with different historical and religious back grounds. Pakistan being at the cross roads of various civil ization , because of its unique geographical position, it acquired and adopted whatever knowledge it gained through such interaction. Most influential among various traditional system of medicine such as Chinese, Kampa and Jamu, Unani or Greeco- Arab systems as well as Ayurvedic system, the last two systems of medicine are most popular and commonly used1-10.

Alliumccpa L

A Ilium sativum L.

Apium Kravcolcns L.

Cinnamumum 7t:ylanicum L.

Curiandrum sativum L.

Cuminum eyminum L.

C.:urcuma kmga L.

Common Name Family

Onion Liliaccae

Garlic Liliaccac

Celery Umbcllifcrac

Cinnamon Lauraccac (Dar.chini)

Coriander Umbcllifcrae {Dhaniya)

Zccra Umbcllifcrac (Cumin)

Curcuf!1• Zingibcraccac (Haldi)

Herb / Drugs

Used in inOammation, as poultice, in lcucodcrmit and viti lago, to open blind haemorrhoids as collyrium, clears the vision and cyc5, bulb useful in fever, dropsy, catarrh, chronic bronchitis, in colic and scurvy. in carac~c ; with musiard oil applied on rheumatic pain

Regulates digestion, removes all parasites or intestine, in asth~• and anthcrusclcrosis, high blood pressure, rheumatism and neuralgic affections, pulmonary affoctins, pain in intcmali:ar.

In abnormocm, urinary discharge, fever with t.'Ough, rheumatism, chest p;t.U\ and inflammalk,n, nasal catarrh, as carminativi: stimulant and cordial, antispasmodic, in bronchitis, a.sthema, liver obstruction, intestinal debility, spleen disorder, Kii.lncy and bhuJdcr obstruction, stcd used as abortive for foetus anti placenta.

Oil is carminativc, antiseptic, prescribed in gastrointestinal comp laints, dyspepsia and natulcncc, vomiting, bark given to promoti: parturition and to check urine, hai:morngcs. used a spice. flavouring agent, in perfume.

In gastroinh:stinal complaints. in dyspepsia 0 atulcncc vomiting, bilious affections, in rheumatism, neuralgia, bleeding pi les, seeds used externall y as poultice for ul cers and carbuncles, effective as an eye wash.

Canninativc and digestive, in hoarscncu ofvuicc, dyspepsia, chronic i.liarrhuca, nausea, relieves hiccup ir smoked, Seeds used duri ng convalescence after diWThea, powder given as diuretic, in irritation in alimentary canal due to worms, applied on insect bite, eczema and gonorrhocL Oil used as antiicptic anthclmintic.

Expectorant. removal or phlegm. and whooping cough, as1hcma and b;-onchitis, as poultice (ubtan) for beautification, u blood pu rifier, to n: licf chronic skin disorder, dcobstrucnl. obstructive jaundice and dropsy, powder applieiJ on wound, strokes and bruises, powder lakcn wi1h milk to ircat painful parts. Powder applcd as collyrium in opacity of cornea, tlilchoma, conjuctivitis and purulent op<halmia. Paste applied on eczema. prurigu, ringworm .

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Vol. 9, No.l Jan-June 2006 Syed Riaz Baquar J. Baqai Med. Univ.

Herb / Drugs

Elcttaria cardamomum (L) Maton

Eugenia caryophyllus T hunb.

fcru la assafoctida L.

focnicu lum vu lgarc Mill

Mcntha p1perita L.

Myristi ca fragrance Houtt

H~-rb/ Drugs

Olea i..-uropca L.

Pla.ntago O\'ata Forssk

Sea.mum mdicum L.

Trachyspcrmum ammi (L ) Sprague

Trigonclla focnum graL:Cum L.

Zingibcr offacinalc Roscoe

Common Name

Cardamum Elaichi

Clove Laung

Asafoctida Hing

f ennel Saunf

Peppermint Pudina

Nutmeg jaiphal

Common Name

Olive (Zaitoon)

Olcaccac

Sesame, simsim (Til)

Jowan (Ajwain)

Mcthi

Ginger (Adrak)

Fami ly

Zingibcraccac

Mytraccac

Umbc ll iforac

Umbcllifcrac

Labiatae

Myri sticacca.c

Family

Olcaceac

Plantaginaccac

Pcdal iaccac

Umbcll ifcrac

Papilionaccac

Zingbcracea..:

Herb/ Drugs

cam,inativc, flavor ing agent in a tonic dyspepsia, flatu lence, spasmodic affections of the bowlcs nervous depression, relieves dability of the alimentary canal, demulcent, reliever of maodour, useful in headache and epilepsy, in liver obst ruction.

Stumilant, toothache "excessively used in dentistry, oi l antiscJ)tic; carminati vc, oil used in commcr:cial produCtion of vanillin, rubcfacient analgesic, mixed wi1h zinc oxide used as a temporary anodyne dental fi lling.

Antidote lo mini poisons, usefu l for li ver, spleen and slomach aj!mcnts, appcrt izer, useful in ne rvous complaints, epi lepsy, paralysis, chorea, torpid ity, sluggishness and hyste ria, relieves inflammation and flatulence. Anti flatu lent if applied on naval, in coltC and cholera, as ncrvinc tonic, antispasmodic, nervous palpitation, hypochondri as is, asthcma, whooping cough, pneumonia., bronchiti~, convulsion.

Indigestion, abdominal pain and gastritis, flatulence, flatu lent colic and stomach daebility, gastric stimulant, clear obstruction in digestive tract, thorac ic region liver, spleen, kidney, ant iflatulent as flavouring agent. Seeds being officia l in pharmacopoeias and codices of several countries, fennel water.

Used as a source of menthol, mint tea, as fcbrifugc in fever in hiccups, menthol is anti ncvrolagic, relieves bronchitis and cinusics, oi l used fo r inhalation and ointment, in colcra and chronic indigestion, stomach pain, dossolvcs blood clot either in bladder or in stomach.

Flatulence and colic, gastro intestinal complaints like dyspepsia, diarroehoea, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, neuralg ia, mcnhorrhagia, dysmcnorrhoca, lumbago and rheumatism, re lievs cardi ac debility, sexual deb ility, aphrodisi ac. Wi th oi l used as massage aga inst paralysis,

Herb / Dru~

G..:neraJ dcbi lity and wcakncss, anti constipative, in anal fi stula or swellings and ul cers and an al fissur..:. liver obslruction, anti dote against toxicity produced by ars~-nic, nervinc stimul ant, sedative., against rheumatic pain, paralysis sciatica, oil used to massage the body.

In febrile condition, catarrhal and rcnaJ affecti on, chronic constipation, dysentery, diarrhoea. cough and cold, demulcent, emollient.

Seeds used in bleeding piles, powdered seeds useful in amcnorrhoi;a or dysmcnorrhoca, aphorodisiac, rdievcs s1..-xual debility, used in a.sthcma, cough, anti innamma1ory, oil used in cooking, keeps skin soft. applied agaianst nervous disorder, rheumatis m paralysis, used in ointment. ·

f latulence indigestion, colic. atonic dyspe psia, diarrhoea, cholera, hysteria, spa.smaodic affccllon of the bowl, flatulence.

Fresh herb us..:d as culinary vegetables, seeds an; used in colic fl atulence diarrhoea, dysentery, dyspepsia, loss of appeti te, chronic cough, dropsy, en largement of li ver and spleen. In k-uconhoca supposi tories made of mcdli S¢1..-ds, useful application for utrine and n:gi nal in flammat ion, rh eumatic pain , bad:ach e. nc r vo us di sa bil ity.

Aroma1ie, pungent, as spice and condim1.,-n1, curris, stomachic, for gastro intestinal tract cspceiaJ ly stomach, against pain due to cold. rheumatic affection, powder used as tooth powd\.'f to all ay the acridil)· of gwn and 11..-cth, improves appclile, rubbed against naval to cure to diarrhoea, pre,·ents nausea.. diuretic, rheumatism, gout. s

Twenty herbal medicines commonly used as spices, condiments, additive, digestive or appetizer have been described and presented in a tabular form. The table provides the Latin names, local names/amily and medicinal uses of these herbs. This shows how these herbs are used since time · immemorial and consumed intuitively for the maintenance of health.

the way of healing.

The Traditional system of medicine in Pakistan owes its origin from the ancient Unani or Greeco-Arab system of medicine which orginated from the period ofTheophrastus, Hippocrates and Dioscoroides who are considered as fore fathers and promoters of the medicine of herbal, animal, mineral origin. Greek Medical text were translated into Arabic and adopted to the needs of the Arabs. Arabs expanded it to the stage of excellence. Many of the Greek text survived only in Arab transcripts.

Development of Traditional System: Historical Perspective

Pakistan occupies a central position between virious civilizations. From Alexander the Great to Mughals, over a period of more than a thousand years many cultural interchange took place. During their migration from west to east and east to west between Turkey, Iran, Asia Minor on one side and India, Indonesia , Japan and China on the other there was a great intermingling of tradition including

Some early 10th to 12th century Muslims Scholars played a vital role in propagating traditional medicine in the Middle East and Central Asia, which expanded and reached Europe. Abu Ali Al Hassain Ibn-Sina (Avicenna in Latin) 980-1037 A.O. wrote a monumental treatise, "Qanun fi al tibb" (Canon of medicine) in Ca 1020 which influenced the scholastic

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Vol. 9, No. l Jan-June 2006 r. Syed Riaz Baquar J. Baqai Med. Univ.

traditions in Europe. This book in five volumes remained the most influential work of medicine and pharmacy for almost five hundred years. Many scholars worked in Eastern Arabia while others worked in Spain, which was dominated by Arabs in those days and had become the second center of learning in medicine.

Abu Marwan Ibn Zuhr (Avenzoar in Latin) in 1091 - 1161 A.O. made several discoveries and breakthroughs. He decribed scabies correctly for the first time, prescibed tracheotomy and direct feeding through gullet and rectum. His book "Ki tab al Taiser fi al Mudawat wa al tadbir" , "Kitab al Aghziya" , "Kitab al Iqtisad fi Isiah al anjus wa al Ajrad" are well known. Abu Muhammad Abdullah Ibn Ahmed Al-Baitar a celebrated botanist ( 1197-1248) compiled a comprehensive list of drugs. He recommended rose water, use of colocynth, croton oil, nutmeg and pyrethrum. His book "Kitab al Jami fi al Adwiya al Mafarada" contains 1400 plants, of which only 200 were known that time.

Some other names such as Abu-al Walid Muhammad Ibn Rushd (Averroes in Latin) (1128 AD) born in Cordova wrote a book "Kitab al Kulliyat", Ali Ibn Abbas (994A.D.), A Persian physician wrote a medical encyclopedia by the name "Kitab al Maliki" . Ali Ibn Rabban al Tabri " (223 A.H - 263 A.H) wrote a book "Firdous al Hikmat in seven volumes" which deals with all branches of medical sciences, all diseases from head to toe, eruptions, muscular diseases, fever urine and pulse.

All these Muslims scholars made a mark in traditional medicine. Their teachings and practical demonstration were followed in the west. The Arabs preserved and gave impetus to the art of learning and practice of traditional system of medicine. This system flourished for centuries in the Middle East, South East and Central Asia. It is because of this reason that this system is referred to greco - Arab system of medicine. Through the spread of Islam from Arabian Peninsula to the far fetched areas upto Spain and Morocco in the west, and upto Central Asia, Malaysia upto Indonesia in the East, this system expanded and spread. In a larger perspective the Greeco-Arab system of medicine has often been designated as Islamic system of Medicine. In order to distinguuuished it from the system of medicine prevalent in the West it was also cited as Eastern and Oriental system of Medicine.

In Europe the text of classical Greek and Roman were copied from the Arabian record and annotated. The use of herbal medicine in Europe was under the influence of early scholars and naturalist, besides interaction of people and product from out side Europe.

A Brief Prehistoric Record

Most of the information regarding use of various drugs originating from specific plants, animals or minerals came from archeological record, early document or treatises written on leaves, bones, wooden or copper plates or folklore4•6. The tradition of India, Japan and China were found in early manuscripts and documents6

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. Records from other areas are not avaiable as they were either lost, burnt or destroyed during wars by invaders such as Mongols , Europeans, Meso-American or so called Pre Islamic barbarians. Later through sporadic travellers, missionaries, adventures, explorers and some conquers, colonial officers and researchers much of the information about tradition prevailing in other cultures were collected and documented.

The information was important to European societies specially for their own protection such as poisoned arrows, narcotic or poisonous drinks and for the prospect of finding new medicines. Many spices and condiments were brought to Europe by Portuguese and French from far east. The great sea voyages performed by Vasco de Gama. Alexander von Humboldt and Columbus are well documented.

Traditional System of Medicine in Europe

Since the advent of western or allopathic system the traditional system fell out of fashion in Europe. It was not so much valued and was considered to be less effective. However before the synthetic drugs came into use people depended mostly on old herbal, mineral, or animal drugs for health management.

The earliest information in the European Arabic tradition came from the Sumerians and Akkadians of Mesopotamia. The information that came from Shanidar cave in Iraq supports these findings. The Egyptian documented their experiences and finding on papyrus, a sheet made out of a sedge plant known as Cyperus aquaticus which came to be known as Eber papyrus from 1500 BC. This papyrus was discovered from a tomb by George Eber in 1873 and was deposited in the University of Leipzig. This document is a medical handbook covering description of various diseases and their possible treatment. Other papyrus, known as Berlin papyrus throws light on recipes for pharmaceutical preparation. Some of the earliest naturalist and herbalist came fron Greece and their method of treatment and drugs were the Centre of research for many decades. One of those Greek scholars PadaniusDioscorides fromAnarzabos (1 BC) described 600 plants of medicinal value and is considered as father of western medicine. His teachings and doctrine

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Vol. 9, No.I Jan-June 2006 Syed Riaz Baquar J. Baqai Med. Univ.

heavily influenced European pharmacy (460-375 BC), Caludius Galen (Galenus - 130-20 l A.D.) and Pliny the Elder (23-79 A.D.) are well known.

Herbal Gardens in Europe

Herbs established as medicinally important were primarily collected from wild rural locations, but soon it was realized that the unifonnity of their standard was difficult to maintain. It was therefore, necessary to domesticate them and grow them in uniform ecological conditions. For this purpose, in Europe, gardens attached to monastries were found to be most safe and suitable places to grow such drugs .

Monte Cassino, an Italian monastry is one of the examples of such tradition. Other monastries such as Charters (France) and St. Gall (Switzerland) played their part by developing their own drug gardens which was used for producing fresh drugs as well as for teaching. Charles the Great (Charlemagne 747-814) ordered that such drug gardens should be developed in all King's monastries and important medicinal plants should be cultivated there. A list of 24 species of plants were prepared and grown.

Traditional medicine influenced by Greek-Arab medicine and doctrine were practiced in numerous European cloisters. In Sicily, which was dominated by Arabs, first medical center of medieval Europe was developed in Salerno in 12th centuary. The medieval herbal medicine reached its highest level in the 11th century with the establishment of De Viribus herbarium and Macer floridus, a Latin poem (1070 A.D) believed to be written by the Abbot of Beauprai (OdoofMeune)

Various Traditional Systems Prevalent in Asia.

The most well known and established traditional system however, came from Asia and they have been enumerated as under:

1. Sino ------ Chinese 2. Kampo - Yaku ------ Japanese 3. Han ------- Korean 4. Jamu ------ Indonesian 5. Ayurvedic -------- Indian 6. Unani -------Grecco-Arab

Each one of these will be discussed separately.

Sino or Chinese System of Medicine

The Chinese system has influenced a very wide geographical . area and the application extends upto Korea and Japan. The Japanese traditional medicine i's known as Kampo-Yaku while that of Korea is called as Han medicine.

An important Chinese book "Shen nong ben caojing" about 2200 years old, containing 365 drugs of plants highlighted their origin, collection, properties and dosage of the preparation . The first systematic work on herbal drugs containing 1892 drugs and 1100 recipes appeared in 16th century (1518-1593) under the name "Ben Cao Gang Mu" by Li Shizhen.

Kampo-Yako or Japanese System

The Japnese system heavily draws from Chinese traditional medicine and is deep rooted in Japan since its inception in 701. During the expansion of Buddhism in Nara period (710-783) medicine was under the influence of Ayurvedic medicine from India and Unani system from Arabia. In 984 the court physician Yasuyori Tambo compiled a treatise, lsinho, which contained thirty scrolls giving medical knowledge of Sui and Tang dynasty. The Japnese system was strengthened by 1574 when Dosan Manase combined all the elements of medical thought leading to a form of independent Kampa medicine during Edo period. This was the main. system of traditional medicine in Japan until the introduction of Western system in 1771 by Genpaku Sugita.

Kampa system is now reverting back gradually and a course has been introduced in the University since 1940. According to one estimate in 1983 about 40 percent of Japanese doctors prescribe Kampo herbal prescription. Now research in Korea and Japan are confirming the benefits and effectiveness of of traditional medicine (Takemi et al 1985).

Jamu or Indonesian System

Jamu System evolved in Indonesia as an ancient cultural practice in palaces of Surakarat and Yogyakarta in central Java, which was established there and later spread to Bali. This was under the influence of ancient Chinese, Indian and Arabic medical practices.Old carvings, dating as far back as 800-900 A.D. found in the temple of Borobudur shows that the leaves of the tree kalpatarah were used in medicine. It is believed that this tree never dies thus causing long life or , a sort of immortality. After the spread ofJslam in Java and destruction of Majapapit empire many local Javanese fled

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Vol. 9, No. l Jan-June 2006 Syed Riaz Baquar J. Baqai Med. Univ.

maily to Bali, along with their belongings including books, medicine besides their cultural tradition. Other islands in the vicinity used Jamu along with the mixture of their own local traditional medicine . Most of the old records have been protected by a few families of healers as secret documents, never to be revealed to outsider, for example those preseved in the palace of Yogyakarta are restricted and beyond the approach of outsiders. Two books on traditional medicine are well known from Indonesia. "Serat kawruh bab jampi - jampi" is a book on "all cures" with 1734 formulae and "Serat Centhini" is a book of Centhnis of 18th century and is comprised of 12 volums. These are preserved in Surakarta palace library. During war, when medicines were in short supply, president Sukano decreed the nation to revert back to local traditional medicine.

Ayurvedic or ancient Indian System

Ayurvedic is the most ancient of all traditional systems. Ancient Hindu and Buddhist writings mentioned nothing about foreign medicines whereas Greek and Middle Eastern documents made mention of the drugs of Indian origin. Ayurveda defines health as a well balanced metabolism plus a happy state of being. Treatment in Ayurveda has a helpful combination of the use of drugs, diet and practice. Pharmaceutics occupies an important place in Ayurveda. Medical preparations are invariably complex mixture being derived from plants and animals as well as minerals and metal products.

The term ayurveda is composed of two part ayur and veda. The former means life and the latter means knowledge. The use of plant is mentioned in Rigveda and Atharveda. The first recorded treatise on ayurveda dated from 900 B.C. and is known as Charaka Sarnhita. It consist of 8 sections divided into 150 chapters and described 341 plants used in medicine. The other well known treatise on ayurveda is Sushruta Samhita (600 B.C.) with special emphasis on surgery, with six sections, 186 chapters and described 395 medicinal plants, 57 drugs of animal origin and 64 that of minerals and metal origin . In 14th century Sarangdhara wrote Sarangdhara Samhita in which he systematized Ayurvedic Materia Medica.

Ayurvedic medicine derives its origin from ~e four Vedas of Hindus mythology which refers various aspects of medicine and surgery.Ayurveda keeps into account the existence of soul in the individual body and in the unity of body and mind, ayurveda drugs are classified on the basis of their taste, attributes, potency, taste after digestion and therapeutic effect. Four types of therapies are used in ayurveda such as

(a) elemination therapy, (b) alleviation therapy, (c) psychic therapy, (d) Surgery. The first school to teach Ayurvedic medicine was at the University of Varanasi in (500 B.C.)

Unani or Greeco-Arab System

There is some similarity in Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicine as both are based on ancient principles derived fr:om early dwellers. The most important similarity is the principle of four elements which is identical to Ayurvedic Panchbhuta principles.

According to Tibb or Unani medicine all the universal inanimate and animate things are produced from Al-Nar (fire), Al-Hawa (air), Al-Ma (water) and Al-ardh (earth). An equilibrium between these produces normal functioning and normal health. Tibb also suggest that the human body is composed of seven natural principles or components of the body known as "Al-Umur al-tabiyah" and absence of any one of these may lead to diseases or even death .

Unani medicines aim at combating diseases with curative, preventive and promotive measures. Medicine obtained from natural sources such as plants, animals and minerals are used in this system also. Unani medicines are cheap and readily available, they are effective and devoid of side effects.

Unani system of medicine developed thr~ugh amalgamation of the knowledge from various Arab and other countries such as Egypt and Iraq, India and China. The drug preparation consists of powder, syrup, suspension electuaries, distilled metal water and some other forms .

Conclusion

Though the western system of medicine is prevalent throughout the world especially in the urban megacities the traditional herbal medicines are used side by side. In Pakistan according to a conservative estimate about 80% people use traditional medicine especially in rural areas, where either allopathic medicines are not available or can be purchased at a very high price. Now a days many life saving drugs are beyond the reach of common man.

Traditional system of the medicine developed in the Indo­Pak subcontinent through constant interaction between various cultures, with different traditional and religious background.

Pakistan occupies a significant position geographically as it lies at the cross roads of various civilization. From Alexander

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Vol. 9, No. I Jan-June 2006 Syed Riaz Baquar J. Baqai Med . Univ.

the great to Mughals, over a period of more than a thousands years many cultural interchange took place. During their migration from west to east and east to west between Turkey, Iran, Asia Minor on one side and India, Indonesia, Japan and China on the other, there was a great variation of tradition including the way of healing.

The traditional system of medicine in Pakistan owes its origin from the ancient Unani or Greeco-Arab system of medicine which originated from the period of Theophrastus, Hippocrates and Dioscoroides who are considered as fore fathers of the medicine of herbal, animal or mineral origin. Greek Medical text were translated into Arabic and adopted to the needs of Arabs. Arabs expanded it to stage of excellence. Many of the Greek text survive only in Arab trancripts .

References ·

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2. Baquar, S . R. Medicinal Plants of southern West Pakistan, Monograph No. 3., PCSIR, Karachi 1967.

3. Baquar S. R. Medicinal and Poisonous Plants of Pakistan, Printas Ltd. Karachi 1989, p 508 (Book).

4. Baquar S. R. Indigenous medicinal herbs and their exploitation. SinetNewsletter(AddisAbaba) 1991, 14 (3): 4-8.

5. Baquar S. R. The Role of Traditional Medicine in rural enviroment in Kenya. Published as Chapter 12 inthe book "Traditional Medicine in Africa". East African Education Publication. Nairobi, Kenya 1995 .

6. Baquar S. R. The Scope of Herbal Medicine in Pakistan. J . Baqai Medical University 1998, l (2) : 27-30 .

7. Baquar S. R. The Role of Phytotherapy as an alternative medicine in primary health care. J. Baqai Medical University 2000, 3 (1+2): 22-24.

8. Baquar, S. R. Textbook of Economics Botany, Ferozsons (Pvt) 2001 (Book) ISBN 9696015798.

9. Baquar S. R. Some indigenous herbaceous drugs used in phytotherapy in Pakistan. J. Baqai Medical Universit. 2003, 6 (1+2): 3-5.

10. Aslam, M . Plants in Alternative system of medicine in Pharmacognosy ( ed) Trease and Evans ELBS/ Bailliere Tindoll, 1985,: 657.

11. Kokwaro, JA. Traditional methods of treating skin diseases in Kenya through the use of Plants. Monograph System Bot. Missoun Bot Gard . 1986, 25:363 - 372.

12. Mazer G. Ayurvedishe Phytotherapie in Indien. Zeitschrift fiir phytotherapie 1998, 19: 269-274 .

13. Waller, F. Phytotherapie der traditionellen Chinesishen Medizin. Zeitschrift fiir phytotherpie 1998, 19:77 89

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