Bayaz Noor-ud-Din in English: The First English Translation of This Classical Unani/Hikmat (Greco-Arab) Medical Work

Fālij (Paralysis) and Istirkhā (Flaccidity) - Page 52/53

By Hazrat Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen, Khalifatul Masih I (ra) (1841–1914)

English Translation: 

Nabila Amatul Naseer, M.Phil (Human Nutrition and Dietetics)

Syeda Munazza Ahmad, M.Phil (Sociology)

Medical Editor & Project Lead:

Qaisar J. Qayyum, MD

Note to the Reader

This page is presented as a working translation of the original Byaz Noor-ud-Din. The aim is to preserve the original wording, terminology, remedies, doses, and arrangement as faithfully as possible while making the text understandable in modern English. Historical Unani/Hikmat terms are retained in parentheses, and verified English and botanical names are added where appropriate.

Text shown in red indicates a word, reading, translation, botanical identification, dosage, or historical medical term that remains uncertain and requires further research or verification. In such cases, the original wording has intentionally been preserved rather than replaced by an unsupported assumption. Red text therefore does not necessarily indicate an error; it identifies an item still under editorial review.

The medical concepts and treatments on this page reflect the historical text and medical understanding of its time and should not be interpreted as contemporary medical advice.

---

Flaccidity/Weakness of an Organ (Istirkhā استرخاء)

This is a condition in which an organ becomes partially or completely deficient in, or loses, its sensation (Hiss حس), movement (Harkat حرکت), or both.

Paralysis (Fālij فالج)

Numbness or loss of movement affecting one half of the body is called paralysis (Fālij فالج). This is the commonly used terminology of Unani physicians (Atibbā اطباء). When numbness or loss of movement is confined to a particular organ, they call it flaccidity/weakness (Istirkhā استرخاء).

Causes of Flaccidity/Weakness (Asbāb-e-Istirkhā اسباب استرخاء)

This condition may arise from coldness (Sardi سردی), heat (Garmi گرمی), moisture (Rutūbat رطوبت), or dryness (Khushki خشکی), or from pressure caused by a tumor/swelling or a bone.

Causes of Paralysis (Asbāb-e-Fālij اسباب فالج)

It may result from thickening of a muscle/fiber, or from its being severed due to an excess of one of the humors (Khilt خلط), or from a fall; epilepsy (Mirgi مرگی); stupor or profound unresponsiveness (Sakta سکتہ); colic pain (Qulanj قولنج); chronic or long-standing fever (Purāni Tap پرانی تپ); hysteria (Ikhtināq al-Raḥim- اختناق الرحم); inflammation/swelling of the brain (Dimāgh دماغ) or spinal cord (Harām Maghz حرام مغز); or inflammation of their membranes. Excessive sexual intercourse (Kasrat-e-Jimāʿ کثرت جماع), masturbation (Jalq جلق), alcohol consumption, intense anger, and carrying very heavy loads may also cause this condition.

Note (Fāʾidah فائدہ)

If the tongue remains normal while sensation in the rest of the body is impaired, the disorder lies in the spinal cord (Nukhāʿ نخاع). If speech is impaired, the disorder lies in the brain (Dimāgh دماغ). If the lower part of the body becomes paralyzed while the upper part remains unaffected, the defect lies in a Kaad (Kaad کاڈ), which is part of the spinal cord (Harām Maghz حرام مغز).

This lower-body paralysis (Isfali اسفلی) has two forms. One begins in the fingers and gradually progresses toward the navel. The second advances even further until the hands also become paralyzed. Paralysis occurring in young people, the elderly, debilitated individuals, during the hot season, or affecting the left side is considered dangerous.

Note (Fāʾidah فائدہ)

If a person develops an excessive desire to consume strengthening tonics (Muqawwiyāt مقویات) and an obsessive desire to accumulate wealth, such thoughts may result in paralysis. Gradually, weakness develops in all the faculties of the body (Quwā قویٰ). If the condition is not recognized and treated in time, the patient may ultimately die.

Fatal Cases (Muhlik مہلک)

If this disease occurs in elderly people or affects the left side, it is considered fatal. The same applies when it results from an injury.

Note (Fāʾidah فائدہ)

It should be remembered that with Western treatment, some residual effect of this disease usually remains, whereas with Indian and Unani treatment it may be completely cured, that is because the Western physicians use laxatives/purgatives (Mushilāt مسہلات) and strengthening/tonic medicines (Muqawwiyāt مقویات) too sparingly.

For four days, or sometimes even for a week, they may not actively treat such patients, perhaps out of concern for their professional reputation, even though this practice is incorrect Or they may wait until the course and severity of the illness become clearer. During this period, they rely only on honey water (Ma-ul-Asal ماء العسل).

The formula for honey water is: mix one part honey with two, four, or eight parts water. Boil the mixture until one part has evaporated, leaving two parts remaining.

Treatment (Ilāj علاج)

Remove the underlying causes. For those with excessive heat, give the Sharbat of rock sugar (Misri مصری). Rose water (Arq-e-Gul عرقِ گل; rose distillate, generally corresponding to Arq-e-Gulab عرقِ گلاب) with Sikanjabeen (سکنجبین; traditional sweet-and-sour syrup) give London rocket/hedge mustard (Sisymbrium irio; Khub Kalan خوب کلاں) with Shisha (شیشہ) Arq-e-Gul (عرقِ گل) [botanical identification to be verified]

If there is an excess of blood, perform venesection (Fasd فصد) of the Haft Andām vein (Rag-e-Haft Andām رگِ ہفت اندام).

For those with excessive coldness or weakness, give honey water (Ma-ul-Asal ماء العسل) with fennel distillate (Arq-e-Badiyan عرق بادیان; Foeniculum vulgare) and cardamom distillate (Arq-e-Elāichi عرق الائچی; Elettaria cardamomum). And boil nutmeg (Myristica fragrans; Jaiphal جائفل), mace (Myristica fragrans; Javitri جاوتری), ginger (Zingiber officinale; Zanjabeel زنجبیل), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum; Darchini دارچینی), and mastic (Pistacia lentiscus; Mastagi مصطگی) in fennel distillate (Arq-e-Badiyan عرق بادیان) and have the patient drink it.

The earlier physicians used to give honey water (Ma-ul-Asal ماء العسل) after evacuation/purification (Tanqiyah تنقیہ). Its prescription/formula (Nuskha نسخہ) is as follows:

Prescription/Formula (Nuskha نسخہ) - Decoction (Joshanda جوشاندہ)

Take:

Caper root (Capparis spinosa; Beekh Kabar بیخ کبر; Safed Jand سفید جند) — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g)

Fennel root (Foeniculum vulgare; Beekh Badiyan بیخ بادیان) — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g)

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra; Mulathi ملٹھی) — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g)

Azkhar root (Cymbopogon jwarancusa; Beekh Azkhar بیخ اذخر) — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g)

Anise (Pimpinella anisum; Anesoon انیسون) — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g)

Black seed (Nigella sativa; Kalonji کلونجی) — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g)

French lavender (Lavandula stoechas; Ustukhuddus اسطوخودوس) — 2 Masha (≈ 2 g)

Large, dried raisins (Vitis vinifera; Munaqqa منقہ) — 2 Masha (≈ 2 g)

Prepare a decoction (Joshanda جوشاندہ), add rock sugar (Misri مصری) or white sugar (Shakar-e-Tari شکر تری) and administer it for seven to ten days. After this, give Habb-e-Ayārij (حبِ ایارج; a traditional Unani evacuative/purgative compound pill used for cleansing the stomach) at night with fennel distillate (Arq-e-Badiyan عرقِ بادیان).

During the (daytime), give it with a decoction (Joshanda جوشاندہ) of French lavender (Lavandula stoechas; Ustukhuddus اسطوخودوس), Gawzaban (گاؤزبان), and large dried raisins (Vitis vinifera; Munaqqa منقہ).

Gawzaban botanical note: The traditional name Gawzaban/Gaozaban (گاؤزبان) is not botanically unambiguous across Unani sources. The Unani Pharmacopoeia of India identifies Goazaban as Onosma bracteatum Wall., while CCRUM sources also use the name Goazaban for Arnebia benthamii and elsewhere identify Gul-i Gaozaban as Onosma bracteatum. Therefore, the Bayaz term Gawzaban (گاؤزبان) is retained without imposing a single botanical identification.

   PCIM&H, Ministry of AYUSH, Unani Pharmacopoeia of India, Goazaban:https://www.portal.pcimh.gov.in/product_details/99804698-e86a-4924-bbaa-9ae35be54bc9 

  CCRUM medicinal plants page:https://ccrum.res.in/ViewData/Multiple?mid=1640 

  CCRUM publication identifying Gul-i Gaozaban:https://ccrum.res.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Palpitation0English0Folder_1923.pdf

Other (Digar دیگر)

Massage with castor oil (Ricinus communis; Roghan-e-Arand روغن ارنڈ) and fennel distillate (Arq-e-Badiyan عرق بادیان). If there is severe constipation, administer a soap-water enema (Huqnah حقنہ) containing traditional local soap, 2 Tola (≈ 24 g).

After one or two administrations of a purgative/laxative (Mushil مُسہِل), administer asafoetida (Hing ہینگ), 2 Masha (≈ 2 g); Surkh Kuth (سرخ کٹھ) [botanical identification to be verified] — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g); and the inner honey material of marking nut (Semecarpus anacardium; Bhilawan بھلاواں / Baladur بلادر), 0.1 Masha (≈ 0.1 g), in divided doses. Also administer and massage with Malkangni oil (Celastrus paniculatus; Roghan-e-Malkangni روغن مال کنگنی).

Other (Digar دیگر)

Give two castor seeds (Ricinus communis; Arand ارنڈ) at night for some time. This is considered an elixir/highly effective remedy (Aksir اکسیر).

Other (Digar دیگر)

Take:

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum; Laung لونگ) — 6 Masha (≈ 6 g)

Pellitory root (Anacyclus pyrethrum; Aqar Qarha عاقرقرحا, Hikmat/Unani) — 6 Masha (≈ 6 g)

Sesame oil (Sesamum indicum; Roghan-e-Kunjad روغن کنجد) — 3 Tola (≈ 36 g)

Use for massage.

Other (Digar دیگر)

Administer Majoon Kuchla (معجون کچلہ; a traditional Unani semisolid compound preparation containing processed/detoxified Kuchla [Nux vomica, Strychnos nux-vomica]) or Majoon Falasifa (معجون فلاسفہ).

Other (Digar دیگر)

Apply Syrian rue oil (Peganum harmala; Roghan-e-Asfand روغن اسفند).

Other (Digar دیگر)

Use costus root (Saussurea costus; Kuth Talkh کٹھ تلخ), bitter colchicum (Colchicum luteum; Suranjan Talkh سورنجان تلخ), ginger (Zingiber officinale; Zanjabeel زنجبیل), and sesame oil (Sesamum indicum; Roghan-e-Kunjad روغن کنجد) for massage.

Prescription for Paralysis of the Hand (Nuskha Fālij-e-Hāth نسخہ فالج ہاتھ)

Apply cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum; Darchini دارچینی)

and Roghan-e-Siyah (روغن سیاہ) [botanical identification to be verified] by massage to the neck and head.

Take:

Senna leaves (Senna alexandrina, traditionally listed by the older botanical name Cassia angustifolia; Barg-e-Sana برگ سنا) — 2 Masha (≈ 2 g)

Honey (Shehad شہد) — 6 Masha (≈ 6 g)

Cow's ghee (Roghan-e-Gao روغن گاؤ) — 1 Masha (≈ 1 g)

Habb-e-Siyah (حب سیاہ) [botanical identification to be verified]

Preparation of Syrian Rue Oil (Roghan-e-Aspand ki Tarkīb روغن اسپند کی ترکیب)

Place Syrian rue (Peganum harmala; Aspand اسپند) in an earthen pot (Ghara گھڑا). Make a hole in the bottom of the pot and insert small sticks (Tiliyan تیلیاں) through it. Heat the pot from above. The oil will collect and drip out from below.

---

TRANSLATION AND EDITORIAL CREDITS

Original Work

Hazrat Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen, Khalifatul Masih I (ra) Bayaz Noor-ud-Din 1841–1914. Eminent Unani physician and former Personal Physician to His Highness the Maharaja of Kashmir

English Translators

Nabila Amatul Naseer, M.Phil

Nutritionist and Dietitian

Syeda Munazza Ahmad, M.Phil

Sociologist, Researcher, and Academic Writer

Project Lead, Scholarly and Medical Editor

Qaisar J. Qayyum, MD

Project Lead, Scholarly and Medical Editor, English Translation, Chief Editor, Noor Journal of Complementary and Contemporary Medicine (NJCCM)

Donor Acknowledgment

This translation project has been made possible through the generous financial support of donors who contributed toward the cost of translating and preparing Bayaz Noor-ud-Din for English-language publication.

We gratefully acknowledge their support in helping preserve this important historical work and make it accessible to a wider readership.

Donors: Sharif Ahmad (USA), Munawar Saqib (USA), Dr Qaisar J Qayyum (USA), Dr Amatulah (USA), Dr Abid Haq & Ayesha Haq (USA), Professor Aftab Ahmad & Mrs Neena Ahmad (USA), Dr Aamir Nasir (Australia), Mr Mubashar Ahmad (USA)

Donors wishing to remain anonymous are gratefully acknowledged without being named.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The English translation of Bayaz Noor-ud-Din is a collaborative project undertaken to preserve and make accessible to English-language readers the historical Unani and Hikmat writings of Hazrat Hakeem Noor-ud-Deen, Khalifatul Masih I (ra). The English translation was prepared by Nabila Amatul Naseer, M.Phil, and Syeda Munazza Ahmad, M.Phil.

The translated text subsequently underwent scholarly and medical editorial review under the direction of Qaisar J. Qayyum, MD, Project Lead and Scholarly and Medical Editor. This process includes comparison of the translation with the original Urdu text; clarification of difficult or archaic Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and Unani/Hikmat terminology; review of historical medical concepts; research and verification of medicinal substances and botanical identities; and revision for accuracy, clarity, consistency, and readability while preserving the meaning and arrangement of the original work.

The Bayaz Noor-ud-Din Project Team has contributed through discussion of difficult passages, consideration of alternative interpretations, and input on linguistic, historical, medical, Unani/Hikmat, botanical, and editorial questions.

Particular care has been taken not to impose modern interpretations where the historical text does not support them. Where the meaning, reading, or botanical identity of a historical term cannot be established with reasonable confidence, the original terminology is retained or identified for further review rather than replaced by an unsupported interpretation.

Bayaz Noor-ud-Din Project Team

The Bayaz Noor-ud-Din Project Team serves in an advisory and collaborative capacity, discussing difficult passages and alternative interpretations and providing input on linguistic, historical, medical, Unani/Hikmat, botanical, and editorial questions. The Project Team's role is distinct from that of the two English translators named above.

Bayaz Noor-ud-Din Project Team

Project Lead

Qaisar J. Qayyum, MD — USA

Members Bayaz Translation Team

USA

• Dr Abid Haq

• Dr Haroon Akhtar

• Dr Shazli Naseer

• Dr Imtiaz Chaudary

• Malik Abdullah

• Harishah Mehmood

• Munawar Saqib

• Shairf Ahmad

• -----

Canada

• Dr Almas Nasar

• Mazhar

• Qasid Ahmad Bajwa

Pakistan

• Faizan

• Nabila Naseer

• Munazza Syed

United Kingdom

• Dr Ismaeel Mohammad

Australia

• Dr Mohammad Younus

Ireland

• Dr Aida

United Arab Emirates (Dubai)

• Dr Sulaiman Ahmad

Nepal

• Nasir Ahmad Bhatti

Published by

Noor Journal of Complementary and Contemporary Medicine (NJCCM)