Mufradaat (Single Drugs)
Mufradaat, or single drugs, are naturally occurring therapeutic substances derived from plant, mineral, and animal sources that are used in their crude or minimally processed form. These are distinct from Murakkabat (compound formulations), which are prepared by combining several single drugs.
Mufradaat are sourced from the three natural origins known as Mawaleed-e-Salasa: Plants (herbs, roots, flowers, seeds, etc.), Minerals (metals, salts), and Animal products. The core principle of a mufrad is that it is used as a single, uncombined entity, although it may undergo processes such as Islah (purification) to reduce toxicity or enhance therapeutic efficacy.
Each single drug possesses a specific temperament (Mizaj), such as Hot, Cold, Wet, or Dry, which determines its action within the body according to Unani principles. This temperament plays a vital role in how Unani physicians prescribe these drugs to restore balance among the four bodily humors (Akhlat).
Mufradaat form the foundation of Unani pharmacology and are the basic ingredients used to prepare more complex Murakkabat. The Afa‘al (actions) and therapeutic applications of hundreds of single drugs are extensively documented in classical Unani texts such as Al-Qanun fil-Tibb and Magzan-ul-Mufradat.
At Alhikmah Herbals, our Unani physicians often prefer prescribing single crude drugs or their simple combinations due to their generally safe profile. However, complex compound formulations are also utilized when a single drug alone is not sufficient to effectively manage a specific health condition.
