Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and its management by the Unani System of Medicine: A Review
Abstract
Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal condition that is very common, relapses frequently, and severely lowers a patient's quality of life. IBS is still a treatment issue in contemporary gastroenterology. It is characterized by stomach pain, bloating, and changed bowel habits without any obvious anatomical or biochemical abnormalities. Conventional medicines are often focused primarily at symptomatic relief, frequently providing poor long-term outcomes and raising risks of negative side effects. The Unani system of medicine, an ancient and holistic therapeutic tradition, views functional gastrointestinal diseases from a broad perspective, emphasizing the restoration of Akhlaat (humoral balance). Objectives: This review aims to systematize and explore the management of IBS within the framework of Unani medicine. Methods: Classical Unani literature and contemporary PubMed/Scopus-indexed research on gastrointestinal disorders and Unani formulations were reviewed and synthesized. Results: Important classical conditions that parallel IBS mechanisms are Zalaqul Ama and Ishal-e-Dimaghi. A solid rational foundation for symptom treatment is provided by therapies that target Su-e-Mizaj (altered temperament) and restore Quwwat-e-Masika (retentive faculty). Conclusion: Unani medicine provides a safe, effective, and long-lasting therapeutic paradigm by addressing the disorder's physical and psychological aspects. To further validate these traditional therapies, clinical studies and scientific standards are advised.
Keywords: Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Unani Medicine; Gut-Brain Axis, Su-e-Mizaj.
Keywords:
irritable bowel syndrome, • Unani medicine, , su-e-mizaj, Gut-Brain AxisDOI
https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v16i8.7927References
1. Lovell RM, Ford AC. Global prevalence of and risk factors for irritable bowel syndrome: a meta-analysis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012; 10(7):712-721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cgh.2012.02.029 PMid:22426087
2. Drossman DA, Hasler WL. Rome IV-Functional GI disorders: disorders of gut-brain interaction. Gastroenterology. 2016; 150(6):1257-1261. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2016.03.035 PMid:27147121 PMCid:PMC12120940
3. Chey WD, Kurlander J, Eswaran S. Irritable bowel syndrome: a clinical review. JAMA. 2015; 313(9):949-958. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.0954 PMid:25734736
4. Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021; 116(1):17-44. https://doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036 PMid:33315591
5. Ahmad S, Rehman S, Ahmad T. Gastrointestinal disorders and their management in Unani medicine: A review. J Res Unani Med. 2018; 7(1):15-22.
6. Shahid A, Riyazuddin M, Bhat MDA. Irritable Bowel Syndrome- Reviewed Through the Lens of Unani System of Medicine. Res Rev J Unani Siddha Homeopathy. 2020; 9(1):1-6.
7. Jurjani I. Zakhira Khwarazm Shahi. New Delhi: Idara Kitabus Shifa; 2010:10-13.
8. Ali SA. Tarjuma Zakheera Sabit Ibn Qurrah. Aligarh: Lithocolour Printers; 1987:233.
9. Tabri AM. Moalajate Buqratiya. Vol 3. New Delhi: CCRUM; 1997:163-164.
10. Mushfiq M, Naseer M, Khan MA, Ahmad N. Integrative perspectives on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches in Western and Unani medicine. Int J Fam Med Public Health. 2025; 4(1):1-5. https://doi.org/10.51521/IJFMPH.2025.41.120
11. Fagundes MZ, Ali M, et al. The Gut-Brain Axis in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A review of pathophysiological mechanisms. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020; 32(4):e13766.
12. Yasir M, Fahad A, Ahmad I, Fazil M. Etiopathogenesis of Mālankhūliyā Marāqī (A syndrome of depression and anxiety due to gastro-intestinal pathology). Hippocratic J Unani Med. 2020; 15(2):33-41.
13. Moayyedi P, Quigley EM, Lacy BE, et al. The effect of fiber supplementation on irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2014; 109(9):1367-1374. https://doi.org/10.1038/ajg.2014.195 PMid:25070054
14. Khanna R, MacDonald JK, Levesque BG. Peppermint oil for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2014; 48(6):505-512. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCG.0b013e3182a88357 PMid:24100754
15. Moniruzzaman M, Shah A, Morrison M, et al. Mechanisms of action and clinical effectiveness of herbal treatments for disorders of gut-brain interaction. Dig Liver Dis. 2025; 57(9):1717-1729. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dld.2025.07.010 PMid:40713393
16. Khan AM, Haque SU, Fatema M. Mastagi (Pistacia lentiscus Linn.): Plant origin drug of Unani medicine: A review. Int J Pharmacogn Clin Res. 2024; 6(1):38-43. https://doi.org/10.33545/2664763X.2024.v6.i1a.48
17. Rahman S, Parvin R. Therapeutic potential of Aegle marmelos (L.)-An overview. Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 2014; 4(1):71-77. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2222-1808(14)60318-2 PMCid:PMC4027346
18. Sharma A, Singh R. The therapeutic potential of Aegle marmelos in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Phytother Res. 2019; 33(8):1982-1995.
19. Anonymous. National Formulary of Unani Medicine (NFUM), Part I. New Delhi: Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India; 2025.
20. Anonymous. The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India. Part II, Vol III. New Delhi: Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India; 2016.
21. Khan N, Ahmad I, Anees A, et al. Unani medicine in the management of irritable bowel syndrome: a holistic approach to gut health. Int J Zool Environ Life Sci. 2025; 2(1):9-12.
22. Anonymous. National Formulary of Unani Medicine. Part I. New Delhi: Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India; 2006:238
Published
Abstract Display: 60 
PDF Downloads: 53 PDF Downloads: 8 How to Cite
Issue
Section
Copyright (c) 2026 Faiyaz Ahmad, Vijay Bhan Singh , Amreen Fatima , Noman Anwar , Mahboob us Salam, Najmus Sehar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
How to Cite
.