AN EXPLORATORY REVIEW ON – PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF UNANI MINERAL DRUG GERU (RED OCHRE)

For thousands of years, red ocher, sometimes referred to as "Geru" in South Asia, has been a vital component of human civilization. It is a naturally occurring earth pigment rich in iron oxide. Red ocher is well known for its artistic and ceremonial uses, but it has also been used medicinally in many traditional systems, such as Ayurveda, Unani, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Indigenous healing methods around the world. This essay examines red ocher's geological characteristics, chemical makeup, pharmacological potential, conventional medicinal use, toxicological issues, and current scientific assessment. This review emphasizes the therapeutic value of red ocher as a mineral-based medicinal agent and explores its applicability in modern integrative medicine practices by fusing historical records with current biomedical knowledge.