Cicer arietinum (Chickpea / Chana)

Introduction

Cicer arietinum, commonly known as chickpea (Chana), is a widely used غذائی and medicinal plant in traditional (Unani) medicine. It is valued for its tonic, digestive, and phlegm-expelling properties.

Morphology (Plant Description)

Fruit (Seed)

• Grows in clusters (pods)
• Seeds resemble:
  • Lentils
  • Sumac seeds
• Texture:
  • Delicate inner part (breaks easily)
  • Hard outer peel
• When ripe:
  • Pod cracks open
  • Reveals inner pulp (kernel)
• Color:
  • Pistachio-like (light greenish)
• Shape:
  • Slightly flattened

Temperament (Mizaj)

• Hot in 1st degree
• Dry in 2nd degree

Pharmacological Actions

• Munaffis-e-Balgham (expels phlegm)
• Mulattif (demulcent / softening)
• Mudirr-e-Haid (emmenagogue – promotes menstruation)
• Qabiz (astringent)
• Mulayyin (mild laxative)
• Muqawwi (Tonic)

Medicinal Uses

1. General Tonic

• Added to tonic formulations (Majun, Labub)
• Strengthens the body

2. Skin Diseases

• Due to laxative and cleansing properties, useful in:
  • Ringworm
  • Scabies
  • Itching
  • Facial blemishes

3. Respiratory Disorders

• Effective in:
  • Asthma
  • Cough
• Helps:
  • Cook and expel phlegm from chest
  • Provide relief in breathing

4. Urinary & Kidney Disorders

• Increases urine output (diuretic effect)
• Helps in:
  • Expelling kidney stones
  • Treating Istisqa (dropsy / fluid retention)

5. Liver & Digestive Health

• Beneficial for:
  • Liver disorders
  • Kidney diseases
• Relieves:
  • Bloating (flatulence)
  • Digestive weakness

6. Nervous System Disorders

• Useful in:
  • Paralysis (Falij)
  • Laqwa (facial paralysis)
  • Weakness of nerves
  • Melancholy (Sauda-related disorders)

7. Menstrual Disorders

• Promotes:
  • Menstrual flow (Mudirr-e-Haid)
• Used in certain cases of menstrual irregularity

8. Antidote (Traditional Use)

• Traditionally believed to:
  • Neutralize poisons of:
    • Snake
    • Scorpion
    • Spider
    • Other insects

Special Benefit

• Strong tonic with phlegm-removing action

Dosage

• 3–5 grams

Formulations (Unani Preparations)

Used in various compound medicines such as:

• Majun Choob Chini (special preparation)
• Majun Alavi Khan
• Labub Al-Asrar
• Labub Kabir
• Majun Alaki