TIBB-E-UNANI

An Introduction

Unani Medicine is a comprehensive medical system which provides preventative, promotive, restorative and rehabilitative healthcare solutions to the ever increasing population of sick peoples.

This system is holistic in nature and takes into account the whole personality of an individual rather than taking a reductionistic approach towards the individual and the disease.

The fundamentals of diagnosis and treatment modalities of this system are grounded on scientific principles of Energy ( Kaifiat ).

The introductory framework of this system is grounded on the Greek philosopher Hippocrate's theory of four Humours namely :

1.Safra (Yellow Bile)

2. Dam ( Blood )

3. Balgham ( Phlegm)

4. Sauda. ( Black Bile)

According to which any disturbance in the qualitative and quantitative equilibrium of these humours causes diseases, and thus the treatment aims at restoring the humoural equilibrium.

This system also believes that Medicatrix Naturae ( Tabi'at Mudabbira ’ i Badan) is the Supreme power or Energy, which controls all the physiological functions of the body eg provides resistance against diseases and helps in the healing process naturally.

The Temperament ( Mizaaj ) of a patient is given great significance both in diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The 'Mizaaj' is also taken into consideration for identifying the most suitable diet and lifestyle for promoting the health of a particular individual.

Brief History :

The Unani System of Medicine as, name suggests owes its immediate. origin to ancient Greece ( Yunaan). Since the Greeks espoused Medicine ( Tibb) from Egypt, the roots of this system go back to Egypt and its sister civilization of Mesopotamia. It was further adopted by the Romans and subsequently travelled to the Arab world, central Asian countries and parts of Europe in the middle ages, where it developed to great heights. In India, Unani System came from Arab and Iran and made a long journey to establish itself as one of the favoured medical systems in the country. Although like other traditional systems, it received a setback during the British rule. But the charismatic personality of great Indian Hakeem Ajmal khan successfully managed to convince the British ruling intelligentsia of the effectiveness of Unani System, which culminated in the institutionalization of Unani Tibb in India. It was due to Ajmal Khan's vision and groundwork that the British got a 180 degree shift of opinion and the then Viceroy General of India H.E. Lord Hardinge laid the foundation stone of the very first Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College ( My Alma mater ) on 29 March 1916 in Delhi, India which was then inaugurated by none other than Mahatma Gandhi on 13 Feb 1921 and rest, as they say is history.

Contemporary Scenario :

Unani system got fresh boost in Independent India and the Government of India accorded great significance to the multifaceted development of this System along with other Indian traditional systems. As a result, Unani System of Medicine forms an integral part of the public healthcare delivery system in India and today, with 45 Unani colleges, 262 Unani hospitals & 1745 Unani dispensaries, India is considered to be the world leader in Unani Medicine.

WHO also proposed the benchmarks for the practice of Unani Medicine in 2010.

Good Future for Unani Medicine System !!!

Dr Mohammad Rashid Khan