Unani medicine

Unani medicine

Meaning and origin

Unani means medicine which is a symbol of life. The name comes from the Greek word “Ionian”. “Tibb” means the knowledge of the states of the human body in health and decay of health, or in other words, medicine. 'Tibb-E-Unani' is therefore an ancient, proven system of medicine that dates back 5000 years to Greece.

Unani medicine, like any other form of medical science, strives to find the best possible ways by which a person can lead a healthy life with few or no diseases. It prescribes medications, diets, beverages, and other regulations, including codes of conduct, conducive to maintaining and promoting positive health and preventing and curing disease. The ultimate goal of these scientific rules and prohibitions is to create a healthy society.

Traditional medicine systems are undoubtedly widespread in various countries around the world. But most of them are empirical. On the other hand, Unani and its allied branches have rational and scientific basic principles. It is different from other branches of medicine because the drugs used are natural in their sources and forms. She emphasizes maintaining natural compounds that belong to the human body and therefore only prescribes natural remedies. Unani medicine believes that diseases can be kept at bay by using clean and fresh water, breathing clean air and consuming fresh food. Likewise, a balance between mind and body should be maintained so that the metabolic process can run smoothly and the body's excretions can be removed. Unani medicine also believes that all life forms originate from the sea.

branches

There are eight specialized branches of Unani medicine –

• Internal Medicine (Moaliyat)

• Gynecology including obstetrics and pediatrics

• Diseases of the head and neck

• Toxicology

• Psychiatry

• Rejuvenation therapy including geriatrics

• Sexology

• Regimental therapy

• Diet therapy

• Hydrotherapy

Description

According to today's Unani discipline, the human body consists of 7 natural and fundamental components called “Umoor e Tabaiyah” which are responsible for maintaining health.

These are: –

• Arcane (elements)

• Mizaj (Temperament)

• Akhlaat (humor)

• Aaza (organs)

• Arwah (life forces or neuro)

• Quwa (faculties)

• Afaal (functions)

Loss of any of these basic components or a change in their physical state can lead to illness or even death. It is extremely important to take all these factors into account in order to arrive at the correct diagnosis and, consequently, the right line of treatment.

The Unani doctors describe that there is a special ability hidden in every individual, which is called the body's defense mechanism or in Unani language - "Tabiyat-e-Muddabare Badan". The “Tabiyat” can be defined as the sum of the structural function and psychological character of man. The 'Tabiyat' or Nature is the best physician and maintains the balance of the four humors or 'Akhlat'.

Their quantity and quality should correspond to the body's natural chemical composition.

The UNANI System of Holistic Health Treatment views illness as an event designed to cleanse, purify and balance us on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.

Allah (the One God of All) says in the Qur'an: "There may be things ordained for you that you do not like that are good for you; and things that you like that are not good for you." Imam al-Ghazzali (ra) expressed this idea as follows: "Illness is one of the forms of experience through which people come to the knowledge of God; as he says, 'Illnesses are my servants whom I bind to my chosen friends.'" Just because something feels "good" does not mean that it will ultimately benefit us. And conversely, when we have a moment of pain, we cannot dismiss this experience as “bad” without understanding how and what the result of these sensations will be. A “healing crisis” is the body's natural function of eliminating toxins: vomiting, nosebleeds, diarrhea, fever, sweating, and frequent urination are paths to full health.

While the UNANI Tibb system admits the existence of microbes, it asserts that it is the primal imbalance of temperament that provides an altered biotic environment in which viruses and bacteria can thrive. Treatments to kill microbes may provide a temporary “cure,” but without restoring the humors to their proper balance, the disease will return. So the UNANI-Tibb system seeks a balance between the body's humors and temperament, primarily through the proper metabolism of body food.

Obstacles in Unani Medicine

Although it is a complete treatment system, the Unani system, similar to other medical systems, has disadvantages in terms of application and effectiveness. The vast materia medica, from plant and animal to mineral sources, as described in ancient Unani textbooks is sometimes so vague that authenticity must be established by modern pharmacognostic assessments (using basic, descriptive pharmacology) before drugs can be used. In addition, the use of gemstones and minerals, the main ingredients of many polyformulations (multi-ingredient medicines), in Unani medicine is expensive. These items are also often unavailable, hindering effective treatment.