Psoriasis (Taqashshur al-Jild): A Review of Unani and Modern Medical Perspectives

Author

Bushra Ansari, Mohd Anzar Husain, Dilshad Ali , Bushra Khan, Mehrunnisa , Insha Khan


Abstract

 Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, relapsing, immune-mediated inflammatory skin disorder characterized by well-demarcated erythematous plaques with variable scaling. It is associated with significant physical discomfort, psychosocial burden, and impaired quality of life. In Unani medicine, some clinical features of psoriasis have been correlated in Unani literature with concepts such as Taqashshur al-Jild and Da-us-Sadaf. The Unani understanding of the disease emphasizes disturbances in Mizaj and the accumulation of abnormal humoral matter, particularly Ghair Tabai Saudavi Madda, along with alterations in the normal condition of the skin. 

Objective: The present review aims to provide an overview of psoriasis from both Unani and modern medical perspectives. It further discusses the Unani understanding of psoriasis, including the concepts of Taqashshur al-Jild and describes the principles of Unani treatment and its therapeutic approaches for the management of the disease.

Methods: Relevant literature was reviewed from electronic databases, classical Unani literature, standard textbooks, and published scientific articles concerning psoriasis and its management. 

Conclusion: Psoriasis represents a complex chronic inflammatory skin disorder that can be understood through complementary conceptual frameworks of modern medicine and Unani medicine. Modern advances have elucidated important immunological mechanisms and provided targeted therapeutic options, while the Unani system offers a holistic approach based on Mizaj, Akhlat, causative factors, and individualized management. An integrated understanding of both perspectives may provide a broader framework for studying psoriasis and developing evidence-based approaches to its management.



Keywords

Taqashshur al-Jild, Qoobae Mutaqashshira, Saafae- Yabisa, Qashaf al jild , Unani Medicine, Immunopathogenesis



Full Text:

Download Paper PDF


References


  1. Gerd Plewig, Lars French, Thomas Ruzicka, Ronald Kaufmann, Michael Hertl. Braun-Falcos Dermatology, 4th Edition. Springer- Verlag Gmbh Publications, 2022; 673-695.
  2. Christopher Griffiths, Jonathan Barker, Tanya Bleaker, Robert Chalmers, Daniel Creamers. Rook’s Textbook of Dermatology, 9th Edition. Blackwell Publication, 2016; 35.1-35.
  3. William D. James, Dirk M. Elston, James R. Treat, Mmisha A. Rosenbach, Isaacm M. Neuhaus.Andrews Diseases of the Skin (Clinical Dermatology), 13th Edition Elsevier Publication 2020; 192-200.
  4. Tina Bhutani, Wilson Liao and Mio Nakamura. Evidence Based Psoriasis, Springer International Publishing AG, Part of Springer Nature 2018.
  5. Dogra, S And Yadav S. (2010), Psoriasis in India; Prevalence And Pattern, Indian Journal Of Dermatology, Venerology and Leprology, Vol 76, Issue 6. 595-601.
  6. Salem BMA, Abdullah RM, Hassan N. Mechanisms and etiopathogenesis of psoriasis: an integrative review. J Comput Anal Appl. 2024;33(6):1807–1815.
  7. Sieminska I, Pieniawska M, Grzywa TM. The immunology of psoriasis—current concepts in pathogenesis. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2024; 66:164–191.
  8. Khan MS, Lari QH, Khan MA. Therapeutic approach of unani medicine in the Management of psoriasis (Da us Sadaf) ejpmr, 2018, 5(2), 200-205.
  9. Shamim Khan M, Siddiqui MMH, Aleem S. Clinical and Histopathological Evaluation Of The Effects Of Psoria corylifolia Linn. Seeds And Marhame Gulabi In DaaUs Sadaf (Psoriasis); A review.
  10. Arzani HA, Tibbe – Akbar, Deoband Faisal Publication; 2002, page 739.
  11. Tabri AHABM. Al-Moalejat-ul-Buqratiya. New Delhi; Urdu Translation by CCRUM, 1995, Page- 152-155.
  12. Khatoon F, Qamar Uddin, J. Arzeena, Azhar M, Alam Ma, Munim A, Management of Psoriasis Through Unani Medicine; A Case Study 2021/ Vol 11/ Issued by Cell Med Orthocellular Medicine Pharmaceutical Association.
  13. Fatima M, Quamri MA. Taqashshur-Al-Jild (Psoriasis) in Unani literature: a review. J Biol Sci Opin.2019;7(1). doi:10.7897/2321-6328.071102.
  14. Mohsin M. Psoriasis (Dau-us-Sadaf) with reference to Unani medicine and modern medical updates. Asian J Tradit Complement Altern Med.2020 Summer;3(1-2):40-54.
  15. Iqbal A, Shah A, Quraishi HA, Rather SA, Raheem A; Effect of Leech therapy in the management of Psoriasis. J. res.tradit. med. 2018;4(1);16-20.
  16. Rushd I. Kitabbul Kulliyat. 2nd ed. New Delhi: Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine; 1987. p. 89-90,270,277,281- 2,286,294,314, 311,319-20,324.
  17. Zuhr I. Kitāb al-Taysīr fil Mudāwāt wā Tadbīr. 1st ed. New Delhi: CCRUM Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; 1986. p. 204–5.
  18. Kamilus Sana. Vol-1, 2. (Urdu translation by Kantoori GH). New Delhi: Idara Kitabush Shifa; 2010. p. 233-35
  19. Sīnā I. Al Qānūn fi’l Ṭibb. vol. 4. Lucknow: Matba Munshi Naval Kishore; 1906. p. 303–05
  20. Kabiruddin HM. Moalejat:Sharah Asbab (Tarjuma-e-Kabir). Vol.3 New Delhi Idara Kitab-us-shifa: 2016. P.306-309
  21. Razi AM. Kitab al-Fakhir fi’l Tibb. Part 1, Vol. 1. New Delhi: CCRUM, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; 2005. p. 28,46.
  22. Baghdadi IH. Kitab ul mukhtarat fit tib (Urduu translation). Vol.4 New Delhi: Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM); 2005 p. 120-21
  23. Arzāni A. Ṭibb-i Akbar. Deoband: jama masjid Faisal Publications; 2009. p. 739.
  24. Arzani MA. Meezan ut Tib. New Delhi:National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language:2002 p. 257
  25. Rabban al-Tabri AS. Firdaus ul Hikmat fi al-Tibb. Urdu translation by Hakim Rashid Ashraf al Nadvi. Vol 1. New Delhi;Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM); 2005
  26. Branisteanu DE, Cojocaru C, Diaconu R, Porumb EA, Alexa AI, Nicolescu AC, et al. Update on the etiopathogenesis of psoriasis (review). Exp Ther Med. 2022;23(3):201.
  27. Gironés Petit R, Cano A, Ortiz A, Espina M, Prat J, Muñoz M, et al. Psoriasis: from pathogenesis to pharmacological and nano-technological-based therapeutics. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(2):xxx.
  28. Rendon A, Schäkel K. Psoriasis pathogenesis and treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(6):1475.
  29. Mahajan R, Handa S. Pathophysiology of psoriasis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol. 2013;79(1):1–9.
  30. Buquicchio R, Foti C, Ventura MT. The psoriasis pathogenesis and the metabolic risk. Open Dermatol J. 2018;12:70–79.
  31. Babaie F, Omraninava M, Gorabi AM, Khosrojerdi A, Aslani S, Yazdchi A, et al. Etiopathogenesis of psoriasis from genetic perspective: an updated review. Curr Genomics. 2022;23:163–174.
  32. Krueger JG, Bowcock A. Psoriasis pathophysiology: current concepts of pathogenesis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2005;64 (Suppl 2):ii30–ii36
  33. Neethu R, Rupesh Pingle, Maseera Chowgule, Vaishnavi Chikhale, Tanishka Tandel, Psoriasis: Comprehensive Review of Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, and Advancements in Treatment Strategies, Int. J. of Pharm. Sci., 2024, Vol 2, Issue 7, 354-368.
  34. Saadh MJ, Allela OQB, Abdul Kareem R, Sanghvi G, Priya GP, Thakur R, Kumari M, Gupta S, Khaitov K, Naji Sameer H, Yaseen A, Athab ZH, Adil M. Psoriasis: immunological and genetic blueprints driving pathogenesis and potential for personalized therapies. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2025;28(6):680–690.
  35. Hunter JA, Savin JA, Dahl MV. Clinical dermatology. 3rd ed. London: Blackwell Science; 2002.
  36. Khanna N. Illustrated synopsis of dermatology and sexually transmitted diseases. 4th ed. New Delhi: Elsevier; 2011. Auspitz sign
  37. Chakith M R S, Pradeep S, Gangadhar M, Maheshwari N C, Pasha S, Kollur SP, S N, Shivamallu C, Allur Mallanna S. Advancements in understanding and treating psoriasis: a comprehensive review of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches. PeerJ. 2025 Apr 29;13:e19325.
  38. Arndt KA, Hsu JTS, Alam M, Bhatia AC, Chilukuri S. Manual of dermatologic therapeutics. 8th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015.
  39. Gonçalves MBS, Fonseca M, Mascarenhas-Melo F, Figueiras A. Advancing insights into psoriasis: from pathogenesis to current and emerging therapies. Int Immunopharmacol.2025;165:115429.
  40. Freedberg IM, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, Austen KF, Goldsmith LA, Katz SI, editors. Fitzpatrick's dermatology in general medicine. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2003.
  41. Manzoor F. Concept of Bars-e-Aswad (Plaque Psoriasis) and its management in Unani system of medicine. Int J Res Rev.2024;11(2).
  42. Khan MS. Da-us-Sadaf (Psoriasis), 1st ed., New Delhi; Idara Kitab-us-Shifa, 2011.
  43. Manzoor F, Hussain Z, Mehraj M, Iqbal A, Ashraf A. A complete review of Taqashshur-Al-Jild (Psoriasis) with special reference to Unani medicine. J Emerg Technol Innov Res.2024;11(6).
  44. Nasir A, Fatma G, Ali W, Ahmad MA. A review on Unani and modern aspects of psoriasis (Da'u-us-Sadaf) treatment. In: Recent Developments in Medical Research. 6. Book Publisher International; 2022. Chapter 13.
  45. Sohel S, Ahmad MR, Rahman MN, Alam MT. Clinical correlation of Taqashshur-E-Jild with psoriasis: a literary approach. Am J PharmTech Res.2020;10(4).
  46. Ul Haque S, Avid M, Ahmad J, Rehman R, Zahoor U, Babu C, Shahid R. A comprehensive review of Taqashshur-al-Jild(Psoriasis) in the light of Unani medicine. Int J Unani Integr Med. 2024;8(3):20-24.

 

Share your valuable work from Social Media Buttons