Unani Medicine

What Unani medicine is

Unani (also called Unani-tibb, or Greco-Arab medicine) is a traditional medical system rooted in ancient Greek medicine and developed further in the Muslim world. The word is an Arabic spelling of "Ionian," meaning Greek. [1] Today it is practiced mainly in South Asia, especially India. This page is the starting point for the Unani pages on this site. It describes the tradition in its own terms and then separates traditional explanation from what has been tested.

Where it comes from

A 2015 history review describes Unani as resting on Greco-Arab medicine and the teachings of Hippocrates, Galen and Arab physicians, with a long record in India. [2] Galen's works came to symbolize Greek medicine for scholars in Europe and the Middle East for some fifteen centuries. [3] A review by Unani-college authors says the system was established under Persian and Arab patronage and reached the Indian subcontinent around the middle of the 14th century. [4] The full story is on the history of Unani medicine.

Core ideas, as traditional frameworks

Unani holds that health depends on the balance of four humors (akhlat): blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. [1] Each person is said to have a distinct temperament (mizaj) built from combinations of these. [4] Reviews by Unani scholars also describe six essential factors of daily life (asbab sitta darooriya), such as food, rest and activity, as the basis of prevention. [5] These are traditional explanations, not measured biology. See humors and mizaj.

Traditional practices

Reference sources describe four levels of Unani care: regimenal therapy (listed as exercise, massage, purging, cupping and others), diet-based care, medicines (mostly herbal) and surgery. [1] In Unani texts these are named Ilaj bil Tadbeer, Ilaj bil Ghida, Ilaj bil Dawa and Ilaj bil Yad. [6] Traditional examination is reported to include the tongue, pulse, urine and stool. [1] This site gives no self-assessment tools and no instructions for any treatment. Some practices, such as purging, carry real risks; see regimenal therapies.

What research shows

The diabetes review authors themselves said better study quality is needed. [7] Most Unani trials cannot be blinded easily, so expectation can shape results.

Who should seek conventional care first

Anyone with chest pain, severe or sudden symptoms, a new lump, pregnancy, a long-term condition such as diabetes, or who takes prescription medicines should speak with a clinician before using Unani remedies. A reference source warns that relying only on Unani medicine could delay diagnosis or treatment of serious conditions. [1] NCCIH advises telling all your health care providers about every approach you use. [12] Never stop a prescribed medicine because of a traditional remedy. Read talking with a health professional.

Related pages

Siddha medicine is a neighboring Indian tradition, Traditional Persian Medicine shares the humoral framework, and Unani, Ayurveda and TCM compared sets out the differences. Historical use vs clinical evidence explains how to weigh traditional claims.