Introduction
In traditional Unani medicine, the heart is regarded as one of the most important organs of the human body. While precious minerals and costly medicinal preparations have historically been used to address heart-related complaints, traditional herbal literature also describes remedies made from common plants, including the Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa). The following preparations are recorded in traditional sources for cardiac weakness, palpitations, and related complaints.
1. Araq-e-Peepal (Peepal Distillate)
Ingredients and Preparation
Take the fruit, leaves, and roots of the Peepal tree, along with Gul-e-Gaozaban (Borage flowers) and Gul-e-Nilofar (Water Lily flowers), using approximately one-quarter seer (about 230 grams) of each ingredient. Soak the ingredients in four seers of water (approximately 3.7 liters), then distil the mixture. The traditional method describes repeating the distillation process three times to produce a preparation known as Seh-Atisha, or triple-distilled peepal water.
Traditional Uses
This distillate is traditionally described as a cardiac tonic and exhilarant, intended to strengthen the heart and promote a sense of well-being.
Historical Dosage
The traditional dosage is five tolas (approximately 58 grams by weight) in the morning and evening. If the preparation has a density similar to water, this is roughly equivalent to 58 milliliters per dose.
2. Araq-e-Aksir-ul-Qalb (Heart-Elixir Distillate)
Traditional Unani literature regards the heart as the central organ responsible for sustaining life and considers its disorders particularly serious. Although certain traditional preparations, such as Jawahar Mohra, contain precious minerals or gemstones, peepal leaves have also been described in historical texts as an accessible ingredient for heart-related remedies.
Preparation
Take Peepal leaves in the required quantity and soak them in water. The following morning, distil the mixture using suitable distillation equipment. Collect the distillate and store it in clean, properly sealed glass bottles.
Traditional Uses
This preparation is traditionally claimed to help with cardiac weakness, palpitations, and anxiety associated with heart complaints.
Historical Dosage
The recorded dosage is five tolas (approximately 58 grams by weight, or roughly 58 milliliters if the liquid has a density similar to water) three times daily.
3. Sharbat-e-Peepal (Peepal Syrup)
Ingredients and Preparation
Take tender peepal leaves, hibiscus flowers, and blue water lily flowers, using approximately one-quarter seer (about 230 grams) of each ingredient. Soak them overnight in Araq-e-Bed-Mushk (Willow distillate). The next morning, boil the mixture briefly and strain it. Add an appropriate quantity of rock sugar (misri) and prepare a syrup of the desired consistency.
Traditional Uses
In traditional practice, this syrup is described as an invigorating tonic and is claimed to provide relief from palpitations, fainting spells, and irregular heartbeats.
Historical Dosage
The recorded dosage is two tolas (approximately 23 grams by weight, or about 23 milliliters if the syrup has a density similar to water) in the morning and evening, accompanied by Araq-e-Gaozaban (borage distillate).
4. Sharbat Mufarreh-ul-Quloob (Heart-Exhilarating Syrup)
Preparation
Prepare the relevant distillate using the traditional method described above. Add two parts of sugar or another specified sweetener to prepare the syrup base, known as qawam. The original description does not clearly specify the starting quantity of distillate or the precise ratio by weight.
Traditional Uses
This syrup is traditionally described as exhilarant, intended to promote a feeling of well-being.
Historical Dosage
The recorded preparation calls for two tolas (approximately 23 grams by weight) of syrup twice daily, mixed with a small quantity of rose water and one and a half tolas (approximately 17.5 grams by weight) of plain water.
5. Junoob-e-Aksir-ul-Quloob (Heart-Elixir Pills)
Preparation
Traditional descriptions recommend forming pills from peepal extract, applying a coating of silver or gold leaf, and storing them in a tightly sealed glass bottle.
Traditional Uses
These pills are described in historical Unani literature as a cardiac tonic and as a substitute for certain costly preparations, including Jawahar Mohra and Yaqooti. Traditional claims include supporting heart function and relieving palpitations and irregular heartbeats.
Historical Dosage
The recorded dosage is one to two pills daily with fresh water. The original description does not specify the weight or composition of each pill.
Important Medical and Safety Note
These preparations belong to traditional medicinal literature, and their effectiveness and safety for treating heart disease have not been established by reliable clinical evidence. Distillation does not guarantee that a preparation is safe or therapeutically effective, and plant parts may contain contaminants or biologically active substances.
Do not use these recipes as a substitute for medical assessment or prescribed heart medication. Palpitations, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat may indicate a serious condition. Sudden or severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or fainting requires urgent medical attention. Gold or silver leaf and unstandardized herbal pills should not be assumed to be safe for internal use.
