Therapeutic Effect of a Unani Formulation in the Management of Chronic Pharyngitis (Waram-i-Ḥalaq Muzmin)

Abstract Chronic pharyngitis is a longstanding inflammatory process of the upper respiratory tract, involving the posterior wall of the pharynx, and affecting all age groups, often with resistance to treatment. Chronic pharyngitis is characterized by throat pain, cough, burning sensation in the throat, and pharyngeal itching for more than 12 weeks. Most cases are noncompliant to the conventional treatment, eventually leading to physical, mental, and social distress along with financial burden; therefore, early detection and delaying the development of the disease becomes imperative. Chronic pharyngitis could be correlated with the clinical description by Unani scholars under the entity “ Waram-i-Ḥalaq Muzmin.” Classical literature is also fraught with elaborate descriptions of various single drugs and compound formulations for their management, renowned for their safety and time-tested efficacy. To assess the therapeutic effect of the Unani formulation Sharbat Toot Siyah in a case of chronic, treatment-resistant pharyngitis. A 38-year-old female presented to Majeedia Unani Hospital with recurrent and unresponsive chronic pharyngitis. Clinical features included persistent throat discomfort despite previous conventional management. The patient was administered Sharbat Toot Siyah for a period of 6 weeks. Treatment response was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for symptom severity and pharyngoscopic examination for objective assessment. Marked improvement was seen both in symptoms and signs on the VAS and pharyngoscopy, respectively, following the treatment. The formulation was well-tolerated, and no adverse effects were reported. This case demonstrates the potential effectiveness and safety of Unani formulations, particularly Sharbat Toot Siyah , in managing chronic pharyngitis resistant to conventional treatments. Further clinical research is warranted to validate these findings. Ear Nose and Throat (ENT), otorhinolaryngology, integrative/complementary medicine, traditional medicine, herbal medicine.