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

Background: The Unani system of medicine is an extensive medical system that deals with various health and disease states. The diagnosis and treatment of patients are based on scientific principles and a holistic approach to health and healing. The holistic approach considers the patient's environment, physical, mental and spiritual state, temperament of disease, diet and drug, which is mostly from plant origin. It believes the entire universe is essentially defined by four primary qualities, i.e. Hot: Cold and Dry: Wet. These qualities are considered in all the basic concepts of the system, such as elements, temperament, humour, etc., which are used for correlating health and disease. This review explores the Borago officinalis flower (Gul-e-Gaozuban) according to Unani Medicine, Ethnobotany, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemicals, and Pharmacological properties, as it is one of the therapeutically significant herbal medicines used in this system.

Method: The classical literature of Unani Medicine, Materia Medica, Herbal encyclopedias, research papers, scientific websites, etc., were used to collect data about the Borago officinalis flower.

Result: Classical literature and Materia Medica showed its distribution, description, temperament, doses and pharmacological actions as it has an important activity in brain diseases such as Mania, Melancholia, Depression, Anxiety, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, etc., and cardiovascular, respiratory and other disorders. Researchers discovered some of the phytochemicals in B. officinalis flower and explored preclinical and clinical studies about pharmacological action.

Conclusion: The presence of phytochemicals in plants is the primary reason for its pharmacological properties, which are scientifically validated. This medicinal herb may help manage various disorders and can be an adjuvant therapy for many diseases. However, future experiments are required to evaluate further and apply this drug.