Published Paper Details:

Complementary and alternative therapies for colds and flu were commonly used by ancient people. They were used to cure or prevent respiratory viral infections and many nations obtained traditional experience in such remedies. The World Health Organization estimates a total of 25 to 50 million cases each year resulting in 150 000 hospitalizations and 30 000 to 40 000 deaths in the United States alone, due to epidemic influenza. During pandemics, the mortality and morbidity may be much higher, imposing tremendous pressure on health system. Respiratory viruses are a major cause of influenza-like illness symptoms in children and adults, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality each year. Currently employed influenza vaccines are only effective when the vaccine strains match the epidemic strains antigenically. Therefore, seasonal influenza vaccines have to be updated almost annually. In addition, seasonal influenza vaccines fail to afford protection against antigenically distinct pandemic influenza viruses. The Unani system of medicine is one of the traditional systems of medicine practised since centuries in many parts of the world including India. In Unani medicine, nazla-e-wab?i is referred as influenza for which a decoction containing Behidana, Unnab and Sapistan are recommended to relieve the clinical features of nazla-e-wab?i like epidemics. There are also many drugs and diet which are used in treatment of influenza like illness in the light of ancient Unani classics and recent scientific studies.