Abstract

DESCRIPTION OF GUL-E-SURKH (ROSA DAMASCENA) IN UNANI MEDICINE: A REVIEW

Mohammad Shahabuddin*, Mohammad Idris, Shabir A. Bhat, M. Adnan, Farheen

Abstract

Rosa damascena is one of the most important species of Rosaceae family and oldest plants under human cultivation. It is a beloved garden flower and a symbol of affection and honour for a wide range of human events in both celebratory and sombre because of its beauty and fragrance. Due to its specific fragrance, it is widely used in perfumery and cosmetic industry. Apart from aromatic uses of Gul-e- Surkh, it is commonly used for medicinal purposes in traditional streams of medicine. For instance, in Unani system of medicine, it has been used for centuries, and is being described in detail in ethnobotanical and Unani classical literature owing to its various therapeutic actions, such as laxative, analgesic, exhilarant, refrigerant, demulcent, astringent (in dry flowers), de-obstructant etc. Gul-e-Surkh, is not only used as a single medicinal agent, but a lot of Unani compound formulations and dosage forms are also used in such a way that as active ingredient or part of ingredients to obtain its therapeutic efficacy in a number of disorders/ diseases.

Keywords: Unani medicine, Gul-e-Surkh (Rosa damascena), Traditional medicine.