Unani Medication
Concept & Origin
‘Unani’ system of medicine is one of the few among few ancient systems of medicines existing today that still retains its classical essence. Its principles and postulates are as relevant today as they were in ancient times. The name ‘Unani Tibb’ or ‘Unani Medicine’ has a medical tradition and a history, embraced and shaped by people of different cultures over a thousand years stretching from the Eastern Mediterranean and West Asia to North Africa, Hispano-Arabia and Western Europe in the west, to Central, South and South –East Asia to the east. The early seeds of Unani were sown around 5000 BC during the ‘Sumer’ civilization period. It found a home in Babylon and in Mesopotamia. The oldest medical prescription comes from Mesopotamia, dating back to 2100 BC.
‘Unani’ or ‘Yunānī’, meaning “Greek”, originated from the Greek word ‘Iōnía or Iōníe’, a name given to a coastal region of Anatolia, populated by Greeks. It is used to refer to Graeco-Arabic or Unani Medicine, also called “Unani-Tibb”. ‘Tibb’ is an Arabic word meaning Medicine or knowledge of medicine. It is south Asia where the ‘Tibb’ acquired the appellation ‘Unani’ (Greek) for it was mostly known as just ‘Tibb’ (Medicine) or ‘Hikmat’ in medieval Arabic sources.
Ibne Sina (Avicenna 980-1037AD) defines the Unani System of Medicine as:
“The science by which we learn , the various state of the human body ,in health ,when not in health, the means by which health is likely to be lost, when lost, is likely to be restored to health”.
Ibne Rushd (Averroes 1126-1198AD) defines it as:
“Tibb is the system of acquiring knowledge of those evidence based principles which deal with the promotion of health and prevention against disease”.
Unani is based on concept of Akhlat (Humoral Theory), namely Dam (Blood), Balgam (Phlegam), Safra (Yellow Bile), and Suada (Black Bile) in the body. Every human being has got a different humoral constitution, which represents the healthy state of the humoral balance of the body. The temperaments of persons are expressed by the words Damvi (Sanguine), Balgami (Phlegmic), Safrawi(Choleric) ,Saudawi (Melancholic) according to the preponderance of humors – Dam,Balgam,Safra and Sauda,respectively in them. The humors themselves are assigned temperaments -Dam is Har & Ratab(Hot and Moist) ,Balgam is Barid & Ratab (Cold and Moist) , Safra is Har & Yabis (Hot and Dry) , Sauda is Barid & Yabis(Cold and Dry) . It is believed that the Unani plays a vital role when the individual experiences humoral imbalance. The correct diet and digestion can bring back the humoral balance.
In India, Unani system of medicine was introduced by Arabs, and soon it took firm roots in the soil. When Mongols ravaged Persian and Central Asian cities like Shiraz, Tabrez and Geelan, scholars and physicians of Unani Medicine fled to India. The physicians who came to India from foreign countries also took advantage and derived benefits from indigenous or local system of medicine i.e. Ayurveda and this tradition has been continuing ever since that time right up to the times of Hakim Ajmal Khan (Physician of the Nation) and Hakim Abdul Hameed.
Treatment and wellness through Unani Medication
Unani form of medicinal treatment adopts a holistic approach to the patient health.
Unani’s main emphasis is on diagnosis of a disease through Nabz (Pulse), Baul (Urine), Braz (Stool), etc. The diagnosis of disease and treatment restoring health revolves round the concept of Mijaz or Temperament. The Akhlat (Humor) also have specific temperament. The changes in Mizaj (Temperament) are related to changes in the balance of Akhlat. Any change in Mizaj brings about a change in the health of the individual. Thus imbalance of the harmony of the humors and Mizaj (Temperament) along with failure of one or more parts of the body eliminates pathogenic waste causes disease. The diagnosis may involve followings:
- • Measuring of body heat by feeling of pulse palpitation and use of Thermometer.
- Urine examination for ascertaining functioning of kidney, liver and digestive system.
- Examination of stool.
- Close observation of the condition of eyes, lips, teeth, throat and tonsils.
- Emotional and mental status of the patient, which are indicative of certain imbalances in the functioning of human body.
Unani way of treatment is often carried out through the following methods:
- Ilaj bil-Tadabeer wa Thagziya (Regimenal Therapies & Dietotherapies)
- Ilaj bil-Dawa (Pharmaco therapy)
- Ilaj bil-Yad or Jarahat (Surgery)
In the Unani method of treatment which uses medicines or drugs, both single drugs and compound drugs are used in the treatment of various complex and chronic disorders. Medicines used in the Unani system of treatment restore balance of humors by activating self preservation mechanism of the body.
Unani medication and Swine Flu
As is the case with Ayurvedic and Homeopathic approaches to patient treatment, Unani method of medication also believes in boosting the immunity of the body to fight against diseases. Swine Flu being a viral and contagious disease, Unani medicines help in strengthening the immune system of a person and thus reduce the risk of the person being infected by the H1N1 virus or if one is indeed infected, this system of medication helps fight the disease in the preliminary stages.
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