The Role of Mufarrehat (Exhilarants) in the Management of Depression: An Evidence Based Approach

Depression is a most common, debilitating and life threatening illness and most serious mental health problem that people face nowadays. It is characterized by change in mood, lack of interest in surroundings, feeling of sadness, gloominess or melancholy. According to WHO report, depression is the fourth leading causes of disability worldwide with a prevalence of approximately 5% in general population. In Unani perspective, depression is not a disease rather it is a symptom or group of symptoms of Malankholia (Melancholy) in which the mental functions of the individual are deranged leading to constant grief, fear and dubious aggression. Unani scholars consider Ghair Tabayi Sauda (Abnormal black bile) as the cause and basis of psychological and psychiatric disorders e.g. anxiety, depression, melancholy etc. Mufarrehat (exhilarants) are the most critical requirement in the essential medicament of such diseases. Unani scholars have strongly advocated the use of Mufarrehat (Exhilarants) in psychiatric diseases after evacuation of vitiated humors from the body. Some preclinical studies amply prove that many plants, which are in vogue since ages for the treatment of psychological disorders, influence the central nervous system and exerted many pharmacological effects hitherto unknown to the medical realm. This review will highlight the central nervous effect of Unani antipsychotic drugs with special reference to antidepressant effect of Mufarrehat thus validating the classical Unani concept.