INTRODUCTION TO UNANI

Unani-tibb or Unani Medicine also spelled Yunani Medicine (Arabic, Hindustani, Pashto and Persian) is a form of traditional medicine practiced in middle-east & south-Asian countries. It refers to a tradition of Graeco-Arabic medicine, which is based on the teachings of Greek physician Hippocrates and Roman physician Galen, and developed into an elaborate medical system in middle age era by Arabian and Persian physicians, such as Rhazes (al-Razi), Avicenna (Ibn Sena), Al-Zahrawi, and Ibn Nafis.

Unani medicine first arrived in India around 12th or 13th century with establishment of Delhi Sultanate (1206–1527) and Islamic rule over North India and subsequently flourished under Mughal Empire. An outstanding physician and scholar of Unani Medicine, Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868 – 1927) championed the cause of the Unani system in India. The Unani System of Medicine is included in the Central Council of Indian Medicine as per IMCC, Act 1970.

The Unani System of Medicine pioneered in Greece and was developed by Arabs into an elaborate medical science based on the framework of the teaching of Buqrat (Hippocrates) and Jalinoos (Galen). Since that time Unani Medicine has been known as Greco-Arab Medicine. The three fundamentals of Hippocratic Medicine were observation, experience and rational principles, which still hold valid in the field of Medicine and Science. This system is based on Hippocratic theory of four humours viz. blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile, and the four qualities of states of living human body like hot, cold, moist and dry.
They are represented as earth, water, fire and air, the Greek ideas were put by Arabian physician as seven principles (Umoor-e-Tabbiya) and included, element (Arkan), temperament (Mizaj), humours (Akhlat), organs (Aaza), sprit (Arwah), faculties (Quwa) and functions (Afaal). In this system, it is believed that, these principles are responsible for the body constitution and its health, as well as diseased conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the Unani System of Medicine (USM) as an alternative system to cater the health care needs of human population. Alternative medicine is being practiced worldwide. Unani is one of the most well-known traditional medicine systems and draws on the ancient traditional systems of medicine of China, Egypt, India, Iraq, Persia and Syria. It is also called Arab medicine.

Unani is still popular in many Arab and East Asian countries. In fact, Unani medicine and herbal products are gradually more being used in many countries where modern medicine is easily available. India has accepted it as one of the alternative health care systems and has given it official status. Practices of traditional medicine vary greatly with country and region, as they are influenced by factors such as culture, history, personal attitudes and philosophy. In many cases, the theory and application of traditional medicine are quite different from those of conventional medicine. Based on the therapies, traditional medicine can be categorized as medication and non-medication. Traditional medication involves the use of herbal medicines, animal parts and minerals. Non medication involves various techniques, primarily without the use of medication. They include, for example, acupuncture and related techniques, chiropractice, osteopathy, manual therapies, qigong, yoga, and other physical, mental, regimental, spiritual and mind-body therapies.

Unani Medicine recognizes the influence of surroundings and ecological conditions on the state of health of human beings. Apart from treating disease conditions, Unani Medicine lays great emphasis on the prevention of disease and promotion of health. In a completely healthy person Unani prescribes lifestyle, diet and environment appropriate for his or her temperament, while for those who have become vulnerable to disease, special diets, nondrug manipulations or regimens and even drugs are prescribed to maintain health and prevent disease.

The modern form of Unani medicine that we see today is a result of a long period of evolution which occurred through exchange of knowledge between diverse countries, regions and communities. The system is still increasing its dimensions and scope by incorporating the contemporary scientific knowledge and the newest of technologies. There is growing awareness among the scientific community and the general public about the intrinsic value of our traditional systems of medicine, and as a result Unani system of medicine have entered the mainstream to compliment conventional medicine.

Unani system is one of the oldest systems of medicine, based on the teachings of Hippocrates (Father of Medicine) in 460 BC, who freed medicine from the realm of superstition and magic and gave it the status of science. It is an extensive medical system that deals with various states of the body (healthy and disease). The system is integrated in nature and offers preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare. UNANI is derived from the word IONIAN which indicates its genesis in the present day Greece (Unan) and TIBB means medicine.

Unani system was developed in Arab and Persian lands. It was introduced by Arabs into Indian subcontinent about a millennium ago. Here it found its permanent home to see the peak of its scientific development. This system, over the centuries has incorporated so well in the Indian civilization that today it is established by Government of India as one of the Indian systems of medicine, and forms an elemental part of our national healthcare delivery system.