The immunostimulant activity of Tibb an-Nabawi natural products: a literature review

Abstract

Background: Enhancing the immune system is very important during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent infections and reduce the risk of disease severity. Therefore, it is necessary to use natural products with an immunostimulant effect. In Islam, there is a system of treatment or disease prevention based on Al-Quran and Hadith, which is called Tibb an-Nabawi or prophetic medicine. Objective: This research aims to conduct a literature study of Tibb an-Nabawi, which has proved to be able to increase the immune system, based on Islamic and scientific approaches. Method: The research was based on a systematic literature review using research articles from the last ten years. The inclusion criteria were articles discussing the immunostimulatory activity of Tibb an-Nabawi, while the exclusion criteria were immune system enhancing herbs that were not Tibb an-Nabawi. Results: Based on the literature studies, it is known that at least six natural products based on Tibb an-Nabawi have scientifically proved to increase the immune system, namely black cumin, honey, dates, ginger, garlic, and pumpkin. The mechanism of immune system enhancement is different in each substance, but in general, they can increase humoral or cellular immunity. The active compounds contained in each of these ingredients contribute to the resulting immunostimulant activity. Conclusion: Black cumin, honey, dates, ginger, garlic, and pumpkin are natural products based on Al-Quran and Hadith, which have scientifically proved to enhance the immune system. Keywords: Tibb an-Nabawi, Thibbun Nabawi, immune system, immunostimulant, pandemic