Unveiling Medicinal Potential of Nīlam (Blue Sapphires) Considering Unani Medicine

Sapphire is one of the mineral corundum which because of its blue color is known as “ Nīlam .” This is an extremely fine, high-quality gemstone used to make jewelry. It is brilliance and heavenly blue color are highly captivating. References to this gem can be found in ancient texts. Prophet Solomon had a throne made of sapphire. The Ten Commandments given to Prophet Moses were engraved on sapphire slabs. The Greeks regarded it with great reverence as it was associated with their deities. In the Unani system of medicine, mineral-origin drugs have been used to treat diseases. Sapphire has been extensively documented to have exhilarant, cardio-tonic, brain-tonic, blood-purifier, and antidote properties. It has been used in treating cases of epilepsy, anxiety, and palpitations effectively since ages. The objective of this article is to explore the hidden medicinal properties of Nīlam (blue sapphire) according to the Unani perspective recorded by eminent Unani physicians in classical literature.