History and Origin of Unani Medicine.
For centuries, people have relied on natural systems to maintain health and fight disease. Traditional medicine, based on balance and observation hundreds of years ago, when people didn’t have fancy hospitals. One such renowned system is Unani. In order to fathom the worth of it in today’s world one needs to delve into the history of unani medicine. The history of Unani medicine is old and its earlier advocates are Grecians. The unani medicine source links ancient Greek philosophy and Islamic post-medical knowledge of South Asia to a system of medicine which is still active today.
What Is Unani Medicine?
Unani pathy is a popular system of traditional medicine which advocates that the body should be in balance. So instead of just addressing symptoms, it seeks to heal the cause of the condition.
Principle concepts of Unani medicine include:
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Holistic view of health
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Focus on prevention
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Personalized treatment
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Use of natural substances
Through the study of unani medicine history, we understand that this system is meant to be in harmony with nature and not against it.
Unani Medicine History: Early Beginnings
Ancient Greek Foundation
The unani medicine system has a history of over 2500 years beginning with ancient Greece. The word Unani means “Greek.” The early Greek doctors had no doubt that illness was the result of natural, and not supernatural, means.
Important contributors:
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Hippocrates (460–370 BC) – The first person to bring systematic scientific thinking to medicine
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Galen (129–216 CE) – Extended theory of anatomy and treatment
They believed health requires balance within the body. This became the foundation of unani history.
Islamic Golden Age Development
It flourished from the 8th to the 14th centuries during the Islamic Golden Age as a result of both Eastern and Western influences. Muslim medical practitioners preserved Greek works and added their own clinical experience.
Key Scholars:
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Ibn Sina – Aristotelian Philosopher and Author of The Canon of Medicine
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Rhazes (Al-Razi) – A pioneer in early diagnosis and the treatment of patients
The Canon of Medicine had been taught in European universities for almost 600 years. Significance of this period was to provide a skeleton and scientific sub-structure to the history of unani medicine emerging as an organized medical system.
Dissemination of Unani Medicine to India
The origin of unani medicine is Islamic, whence it came to India through trade, scholars and royal patronage. With time, the Unani system also modified according to the Indian climatic condition, eating habits and availability of medicine in India.
In modern India:
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Unani medicine is officially recognized
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It is controlled by the AYUSH Ministry
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Taught through BUMS degree programs
As per AYUSH, the number of registered Unani practitioners in India are over 250000 thus there is a great Tradition of unani medicine history.
Core Principles of Unani Medicine
Theory of Four Humours
Four humours Unani medicine conceptives that the body is filled with four liquids:
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Blood (Dam)
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Phlegm (Balgham)
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Yellow bile (Safra)
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Black bile (Sauda)
Just right health is when these humours are in equilibrium. When this balance is disrupted, you get sick. And is widely accepted in the history of unani medicine.
Concept of Mizaj (Temperament)
Each individual has a unique temperament or Mizaj, for example:
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Hot
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Cold
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Moist
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Dry
Medication is designed on the basis of individual Mizaj of every one; this makes Unani medicine highly customized.
Safety and Modern Importance
“It is safe and responsible Unani medicine.”
Important safety principles:
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Correct diagnosis
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Proper dosage
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Guidance from qualified doctors
Some 80% of the world’s population depends on traditional medicine as their primary form of health care (World Health Organization). This is the reason why systems with rich backgrounds in unani medicine history continue to be relied upon.
Conclusion
Unani is not just an old tradition, there's system and ethics in it. The history of unani medicine makes it clear how knowledge moved from Greece to the Islamic world and later to India. THE UNANI MEDICINE BACKGROUND Unani medicine is based on a sense of “balance” between body, mind and the environment. Unani medicine is viable in maintaining health and in prevention of diseases when used wisely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. On what is unani medicine history based?
Unani medicine history Unani was a medical philosophy first described by the Greeks and later adapted by Islamic scholars in their writing such as Hippocrates and Galen.
Q2. How does unani medicine come into existence?
It's doctrine of the unani medicine dates back to ancient Greece, and it was later established in the Middle East and South Asia.
Q3. Is Unani medicine officially recognized?
Yes, Unani medicine is recognized and regulated in India.
Q4. Is Unani medicine safe?
Unani medicine is harmless under regular watches from trained, and registered practitioners.
Q5. What is the difference between Unani medicine and Ayurveda?
Unani believes in humours and temperament, while Ayurveda believes in doshas. Both pursue balance, but under different philosophies.
Article Written By
Dr. Saleha Parveen
BUMS Doctor
Traditional Medicine Researcher
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