Vol. 9, Issue - 2, Part A (2025)

Ruma Malik, Asif Iqbal Siddiqui and Nauman Saleem

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/2616454X.2025.v9.i2a.336

Abstract:
The Unani system of medicine, rooted in the Greco-Arabic tradition, offers a holistic approach to health encompassing promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care. Sulphur (Gandhak), known as Kibreet in Unani medicine, is a mineral-origin drug with a long history of use in dermatological, respiratory, and systemic ailments. Its therapeutic efficacy lies in its diverse pharmacological actions—antibacterial, antifungal, keratolytic, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties. Gandhak is categorized by its temperament as hot and dry (3rd or 4th degree), necessitating specific detoxification methods to ensure safety and efficacy. Historical physicians like Hippocrates, Galen, Jabir Ibn Hayyan, and Ibn Sina recognized its value, and modern research validates its traditional applications in conditions like vitiligo, psoriasis, and tinea corporis. Various forms of Gandhak, such as sublimed sulphur and sulphurated oils, are prepared for both internal and external use. This review integrates historical texts and modern pharmacological studies to reaffirm Sulphur’s enduring significance in Unani therapeutics.