Vol. 8, Issue - 1, Part A (2024)

Nazla, also known as acute viral rhinopharyngitis, nasopharyngitis, common cold, acute coryza, or just cold, is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract that mostly affects the voice box, sinuses, throat, and nose. It is primarily caused by rhinoviruses and coronaviruses. The literature of Unani medicine describes Nazla-o-Zukām as a catarrhal fluid that flows from the anterior ventricles of the brain towards the throat and nose. A clinical study was conducted from 2016 to 2018 at the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM), Basaha, Lucknow, to scientifically establish the safety and efficacy of the Unani pharmacopoeial formulation "Laooq Sapistan" for the symptomatic relief of patients suffering from Nazla (common cold). Of all the cases that registered for the study, 65 patients completed the trial. After a seven-day course of treatment, it was found that, in comparison to the baseline, the following symptoms of the disease were decreased: Khushuna-al-Halaq (sore throat), Buhha al-Sawt (hoarseness of voice), 'Utas (sneezing/nasal irritation), Rhinorrhoea/runny nose, Suda‘ (headache), Su‘al (cough), and I‘ya’ (malaise). The variations between the results of the liver function test (LFT) and kidney function test (KFT) before and after the treatment were found to be within the normal range. It was found that the experimental medication was well tolerated, and the trial showed no adverse effects. The results of the study validate the safety and efficacy of "Laooq Sapistan" in the treatment of Nazla, or common cold.