Key takeaways
- Hamdard was founded in 1906 in Delhi and is one of the best-known Unani manufacturers in India.
- Its best-known medicines include Safi, Joshina and Sualin.
- Roghan Badam Shirin is Hamdard’s sweet almond oil; honey is also in the range.
- Unani syrups (sharbat) contain sugar; check the label if you need to limit it.
- Check the batch, expiry and seal before use.
Hamdard is the name most Indians associate with Unani medicine, and with Rooh Afza. This guide explains the company’s history, the Unani medicines in our Hamdard products collection and how to buy genuine packs.
About Hamdard
Hamdard was founded in 1906 in Old Delhi by Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed, a Unani physician, as a small clinic and dispensary. The name means "companion in suffering". Rooh Afza, the famous summer drink, followed in 1907. Hamdard Laboratories (India) is today one of the largest makers of Unani medicines in the country, and the family behind it also founded educational institutions such as Jamia Hamdard in Delhi.
The Hamdard range we stock
| Category | Products | Points to note |
|---|---|---|
| Sharbat (syrups) | Safi, Joshina | Contain sugar; measure with the cup provided |
| Qurs (tablets) | Sualin | Follow the label dose |
| Roghan (oil) | Roghan Badam Shirin | Sweet almond oil; check the label for directions |
| Food products | Hamdard honey | Do not give honey to babies under one year |
Our guide to Unani medicine explains the principles behind these products and how Unani differs from Ayurveda. Safi is also part of our blood purifier and skin care range.
How to check a genuine Hamdard pack
- The manufacturer's name and address, and a drug manufacturing licence number
- A batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date printed (not handwritten) on the pack
- An intact seal, cap or blister, and the MRP printed on the pack
- The full composition and directions for use
If anything looks altered, smudged or missing, do not use the product. Our checklist on how to read an Ayurvedic medicine label explains each point.
Buying Hamdard products retail or wholesale
You can order single packs, or packs of two and three at a lower price per unit, from our Hamdard collection. Pharmacies, clinics and resellers can send a product list for wholesale rates; our wholesale buying guide explains how it works.
Our recommendation
Choose the Hamdard product your doctor or Ayurvedic practitioner has named, check the pack details above, follow the label dose and buy sealed packs with a long expiry from a GST-registered seller.
