The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India. Since its establishment in 1978, the CCRUM as the apex government organization for research in Unani medicine, has been engaged in conducting scientific research on the applied as well as fundamental aspects of Unani system of medicine. Consequently, over the past four decades of its existence, the Council has made significant strides in clinical research, drug standardization, survey and cultivation of medicinal plants, and literary research. Besides, research-oriented health extension services, and information, education, and communication (IEC) activities have also been part of the Council’s programmes. Extension of Healthcare services under the scheme of collocation of AYUSH centres in Allopathic Hospital in Delhi, several Unani Medical Centres were established at RML Hospital, DDU Hospital, AIIA and at Safdarjung Hospital. With the efforts of the scientists and technical manpower at its 23 research centres spread across the country, the Council has won appreciation from various quarters for its patents, which are 17 in number, innovative research outcomes, and scientific publications.

The Council under its Clinical Research Programme, has so far conducted studies on a number of investigational drugs, besides validating several pharmacopoeial formulations in different disease conditions, at its research centres and in collaboration with other scientific institutions.

The National Research Institute of Unani Medicine for Skin Disorders (NRIUMSD), Hyderabad, is the most celebrated institute of the Council and has earned fame for treating vitiligo (Baraṣ) and other chronic and stubborn diseases.

The CRIUM, Lucknow, has attained good repute for research and development of treatments for musculoskeletal disorders.

The Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM), Chennai, is the major research centre known for the treatment of infective hepatitis and other chronic liver diseases.

The RRIUM, Bhadrak has developed a safe and effective treatment for filariasis (Dā’ al-Fīl).

The RRIUM, Srinagar has conducted research on respiratory disorders.

The scientific institutions that collaborate with CCRUM include All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Bhartiya Vidya Peeth University, Pune, Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, UDDAN, New Delhi, NMIMS University, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College, AMU, Aligarh, Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI), University of Delhi, AMITY University, Noida.

In the area of Drug Standardization, the Council has developed pharmacopoeial standards for 298 single drugs and 200 compound formulations, which have been published in the Unani pharmacopoeia of India. Besides, six volumes of the National Formulary of Unani Medicine have also been revisited recently to bring out their revised additions.

Under the Literary Research Programme, translations of over 60 classical books have been translated into Urdu and other languages and published. Besides the compilation of 10 books, standardization of Unani medical terminologies, development of Unani treatment guidelines for common diseases, and reprinting of 72 classical books had also been undertaken.

The CCRUM scientists have the credit of publishing hundreds of research papers in various reputed national and international scientific journals. Besides, over 1400 research papers have also been presented in different national and international seminars, conferences, and workshops.

The outreach activity among the masses is benefiting over 5 lakh patients annually. The Council is actively carrying out a programme on integration of Unani medicine in national programmes for Prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and stroke (NPCDCS) in Lakhimpur Kheri (U.P.). The Council has also started MD and PhD programmes in Unani medicine to create research personnel for the future.

The Council has been working and intends to continue its efforts for opening new possibilities and opportunities to deal with the persistent and emerging medical and health problems of our countrymen, particularly in the areas of communicable and non-communicable diseases. With the available state of the art infrastructure at its units, the Council is marching ahead to explore the hidden potentials of the Unani system of medicine for benefitting the masses around the globe.