KJ is a herbo-mineral preparation containing Zn (Table 1), a mineral known by various synonyms in USM: Ruye Tutiya, Ruh Tutiya, Shubbah, Kharseen, Rumi Tutiya, Qasdeer, Qaitoon, Atarad, Kharchini, Jasad (Khan HJ, 1950; Kareem B, 1960; Ghani N, 2011; Zaki MM, 1890; Husain TS, 1981; Fazlullah M, 1877; Ali MN, 1860; Kabir al-Din, 1955). KJ can be prepared from Zn by various methods described in Unani literature (Jagan N, 1981; Kareem B, 1960) by a process called Taklīs as described earlier (Jagan N, 1981; Khan HJ, 1950; Kareem B, 1960). Briefly, Zn granules are powdered and mixed with a paste of Bukan booti. The mixture is covered with 100 g cotton and then placed in an earthen disc by a specialized conventional sealing process of Gil-e-hikmat in which the mixture is prepared by mixing clay and cotton till a uniform paste is obtained. Finally, the closed vessel is heated by a fire of cow dung cakes (10 kg). After complete combustion, the material is grounded to fine powder and filtered through a 160-number mesh (Anonymous, 2006).

Zn obtained from mines is not pure but mixed with gandhak (sulphur) as zinc sulphide (zinc blande), or with carbon as zinc carbonate (Jagan N, 1981; Kareem B, 1960; Ghani N, 2011; Kabir al-Din, 1955). It is bluish white in color (Kareem B, 1960) with an astringent taste (Zaki MM, 1890) or tasteless (Ghani N, 2011; Fazlullah M, 1877). KJ is white, but turns yellowish on heating (becoming white when cooled). It is light weight, does not dissolve in water and used orally. It is important to note that the Kushtas have a high dissolution rate (readily distributed in the body), have a quick and powerful action at a low dosage (when compared with other conventional dose levels), and have a longer shelf life (Jagan N, 1981; Kareem B, 1960; Aziz N, 2002).

Kushtas (calxs) have mostly muqawwi (tonic) actions, apart from many other specific actions and therapeutic uses. KJ is used in many ailments as muqawwi (tonic) to strengthen the body immunity (Table 3). Muqawwi-i badan (immunity booster) is a key activity of KJ which may explain many of its pharmacological properties. Therapeutically, KJ is used for the management of diseases on the basis of its actions like Hummiyat (Fevers), Jarayan (spermatorrhoea), Zu‘f al-Bah (loss of libido), Sur‘a al-Inzal (premature ejaculation), Riqqat al-Manī (low viscous semen), Sayalan al-Rahim (leucorrhoea), Dama (bronchial asthma), Nafth al-Dam (hemoptysis), Kathra al-Ihtilām (excessive nocturnal emission), Qillat-i-Dam (anemia), Dhayābītus (diabetes), Sual (cough), Waja‘ al-Mafasil (polyarthritis), Ātshak (syphilis), Judhām (leprosy), Ra‘sha (tremors), Sill (phthisis),Yaraqan Asfar (jaundice), Zahīr (dysentery), Ishāl (purgation) and Sahj al-Am‘ā’ (abrasion in intestine) (Jagan N, 1981; Kabir al-Din, 1955; Kabir al-Din, 2007; Kareem B, 1960; Khan HJ, 1950; Ghani N, 2011). It is beneficial in weakness caused by heavy work and exertion and is also used in Amrād-i-qalb (cardiac ailments). It prevents menstrual blood loss (Jagan N, 1981) and has been found useful in Amrād-i-kabid (liver ailments) and Amrād-i-mi‘da (stomach ailments) as tonic (Kareem B, 1960).

When used with Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L.) and Laung (Eugenia caryophyllus Bull.), KJ can cure fever with rigor. It cures bronchial asthma (Dama) when taken orally with honey (6 g fresh juice, heat it then cooled, followed by adding 6 ml honey and 125 mg KJ). KJ is a blood purifier when taken with Maveez munaqqa (Vitis vinifera L.). It can cure Sozāk (gonorrhea) when taken with Sandal oil (Santalum album L.). It clears urine and increase frequency of micturition if taken with Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris L.). KJ prevents bleeding if taken with Dammul akhwain (Dracaean cinnabari Balf.). It can prevent bleeding with stool when taken with Murabba or Sharbat of belgiri (Aegle marmelos Corr.). With Tukhm konch (seeds of Mucuna pruriens Baker.) and Misri (sugar), KJ cures Jarayan (spermatorrhoea) (Ghani N, 2011). Externally also, KJ can be used alone or mixed with some other drugs as an ingredient in ointments for wounds and ophthalmic conditions. It is very useful to seize oozing of secretions from the wounds and ulcers due to its desiccant action (Mujaffif-i-Quruh) (Ghani N, 2011; Kabir al-Din, 2007; Kabir al-Din, 1955). In eye diseases (Amrad chashm), KJ is used in Surma (corrylium) or alone as a micro fine powder to apply directly into the eye (Jagan N, 1981; Khan HJ, 1950; Kareem B, 1960; Ghani N, 2011; Kabir al-Din, 2007; Kabir al-Din, 1955). KJ is Muhallil waram (resolvent to inflammation) (Ghani N, 2011; Fazlullah M, 1877; Zaki MM, 1890) and has Qabid (astringent) action also (Ghani N, 2011; Kabir al-Din, 2007; Kabir al-Din, 1955; Rafiq al-Din, 1985).

The concept of Muqawwi (tonics) is unique to USM. Tonics are nontoxic natural substances which can improve and maintain the human health when used regularly. They tone up the organs and improve the body functions. In USM, the idea is to strengthen the body as it has the power to fight any adverse situation leading to disease condition. Muqawwi-i-badan (immunity booster) and Dafi‘a humma (antipyretic) are two important properties of KJ reported in literature (Jagan N, 1981; Khan HJ, 1950; Ghani N, 2011; Zaki MM, 1890; Ali MN, 1860; Fazlullah M, 1877). Although there is no mention of a direct antiviral action of KJ in Unani literature, it is reported to reduce the body fever (Humma), which is a symptom of viral infection (Jagan N, 1981; Kareem B, 1960; Kabir al-Din, 2007; Kabir al-Din, 1955). It is important to understand that the Unani system is based on holism, and whole body is treated as a unit by improving the body’s immune mechanism by some methods or drugs. KJ as a tonic improves the immunity, and hence may be considered as a prophylactic traditional medicine with potential use in SARS-Cov-2 infection or COVID-19.

Incidentally, Zn, the mineral component of KJ, has also been found to influence body organs and body functions (Lambert SA, 2018; Andreini C, 2012). Zn is essential for cellular processes which include diverse cellular functions as wide as interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, DNA synthesis and RNA transcription (Prasad AS, 2007a; Overbeck S, 2008). An adult human body contains only about 2 g of Zn and approximately 10 to 18 μM plasma Zn content (Rukgauer M, 1997). Daily Zn requirement is about 10-15 mg/d, which may increase up to 50% during pregnancy and lactation. Fish, meat, egg, milk and nuts are key dietary sources of Zn (Satyanarayana U, 2013). Intake of high cereal protein, which is rich in phytate which makes Zn unavailable for absorption, hampers Zn absorption and causes of Zn deficiency, which may be mild to severe. Recurrent infections due to cell-mediated immune dysfunction have been linked to the Zn deficiency (Prasad AS, 2007b). Zn deficiency affects the activity of the natural killer (NK) cell (Beck FW, 1997a; Beck FW, 1997b). Even a mild Zn deficiency can affect clinical, biochemical and immunological functions adversely. Zn clinically improves symptom of common cold, respiratory infections and pneumonia. In vitro and in vivo studies on viral infections suggest a direct antiviral action of Zn. Zn improves IFN-α production (antiviral) (Cakman I, 1997).

It has been found to reduce the viral titer and plaque count in respiratory syncytial virus infection (Suara RO, 2004). Zn is effective in HCV, possibly by inhibiting RNA polymerase and replication (Ferrari E, 1999; Himoto T, 2007). Zn can inhibit herpes simplex virus replication through interfering with proteasome function and NF-κB activation (Qiu M, 2013). It can inhibit the human papilloma virus by stimulation of pro-viral transcription activity, reversed by EVER2 (Lazarczyk M, 2008). Zn can ameliorate the effect of HIV infection and interferon production (Zazzo JF, 1989). Several clinical studies suggest the antiviral effect of Zn against rhinovirus (Korant BD, 1974; Korant BD, 1976; Hung M, 2002). Zn can reduce the duration, severity of the symptoms related to common cold (Prasad AS, 2000; Turner RB, 2000; Petrus EJ, 1998; Mossad SB, 1996; Godfrey JC, 1992; Eby GA, 1984). We do believe the antiviral effect of Zn against SRAS-CoV-2 infection, which is presently under investigation (Thailand MN, 2020). The presence of Zn in KJ provides a clue to its Muqawwi-i badan (immune boosting) activity, and its potential use as a tonic (muqawwi) in SRAS-CoV-2 infection.