Phytopharmacology and Therapeutic Applications of Some Commonly Used Gums, Resins and Oleo-Gum Resins in Unani System of Medicine

Background and Objective: Plants that thrive in arid and dry areas are commonly used to produce oleo-gum resins, which contain traces of essential oils. Certain gums are the result of exudation, which mostly comes from a tree’s stem but can also occasionally come from its root. These natural chemicals play an important role in human health by preventing and treating inflammatory diseases. The aim of this article is to examine the literature on plant-based gums, resins, and oleo-gum resins used in the Unani system of medicine. In addition, their origins, identification, physicochemical properties, constituents, scientific investigations and pharmaceutical and food-related applications are also discussed. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus were used as online databases to meet the review of literature. Arabic and Persian texts translated into Urdu by the Cental Council for Research in Unani Medicine were used as references for classic literature of Unani medicine. The terms included in the search included unorganised pharmaceuticals, plant exudates, resin, gum, oleo-gum resins, and pharmacological and scientific investigations on them. Results: Plant exudates like as gums, resins, and oleo-gum resins are frequently used as coating materials, adhesives, cosmetic preparations, fragrances in daily rituals, and therapies in both Unani and folk medicine. Their reduced side effects, low cost, non-toxic, stability, accessibility, eco-friendliness, and degradability properties have reignited the public’s interest. Conclusion: Gums, resins, and oleo-gum resins have been used by Hakims (Unani physicians) of the Unani School of medicine for the treatment of numerous human illnesses from ancient times, either as a single drug or in multiple dosage forms. It is used in the culinary, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries for a number of purposes.