Treatment of Frostbite Induced Gangrene in Unani System of Medicine – An Evidence Based Approach

Gangrene means tissue death caused by deficient or absent blood flow, often occurring in the extremities like toes, fingers, and limbs, developing from infection, inflammation, injury, and degenerative changes. Frostbite is one of the most common causes of dry gangrene; it is clinically defined as cold, black, dried out, and withered skin, which gradually fades over weeks or months. Debridement and amputation are the definitive treatments for gangrene in all systems of medicine. Although Dhillon and Singh (2003) claimed the successful treatment of tail gangrene in buffaloes, author have made an attempt to present a case study, conducted on a 65- year old female patient, afflicted with frostbite induced gangrene in her right index finger, treated with Unani drugs; Sharbat Banafsha and Arq Murakkab Musaffi Khoon as oral administration, and Marham Safed Kafoori as topical application, with the aim to evaluate the efficacy of drugs and to avoid surgery. Within 60 days of receiving Unani treatment, the patient had exceptional and admirable results. Finally, the frostbitten gangrenous area was debrided, healed, and repaired without the need for surgery.