Unani Medicine System in India

Unani Medicine is based on the Greece philosophy. According to Basic Principals of Unani the body is made up of the four Basic elements i.e. Earth, Air, Water, Fire which have different Temperaments i.e. Cold, Hot, Wet, Dry. After mixing and interaction of four elements a new compound having new temperament comes into existence i.e. Hot Wet, Hot Dry, Cold Wet, Cold Dry. The body have the Simple and Compound Organs which got their nourishment through four Humours i.e. Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile, Black Bile. The humour also assigned temperament as blood is hot and wet, Phlegm is cold and hot, yellow bile is hot and dry and black bile is cold and dry.

Health is a state of Body in which there is equilibrium in the Humours and functions of the body are normal in accordance to its own temperament and the environment.

When the equilibrium of the Humours is disturbed and functions of the body are abnormal ,in accordance to its own temperament and environment, that state is called Disease.

Unani medicine believes in Promotion of Health , prevention of diseases and cure.

Health of human is based on the six essentials (Asbabe Sitta Zaroorya) if these are followed health is maintained otherwise there will be diseases.

Six essentials are 1.Atmospheric Air 2.Drinks and Food 3.Sleep and Wakefulness 4.Excretion and Retention 5.Physical activity and rest 6. Mental activity and Rest.

Diagnosis - Diseases are mainly diagnosed with the help of Pulse (Nabz), physical examination of the Urine and Stool. Also, patients are examined systematically to make the diagnosis easy as spot diagnosis with the help of simple, modern gadgets.

Treatment - Diseases are treated in the following ways

Ilajbil Tadbeer (Regimenal Therapy)
Ilajbil Ghiza ( Dietotherapy)
Ilajbil Dava (Pharmacotherapy)
Ilajbil Yad ( Surgery)

1. Ilajbil Tadbeer(Regimenal Therapy):-Some drugless regimens are advised for the treatment of certain ailments i.e. Exercise, Massage, Hamam(Turkish Bath), Douches(Cold and Hot) and the Regimen for Geriatrics.

2. Ilajbil Ghiza(Dietotherapy):-Different diets are recommended for the patients of different diseases.

3. Ilajbil Dava (Pharmaco-therapy):- The basic concept of treatment is to correct the cause of the disease that may be Abnormal temperament due to

Environmental factors
Abnormal humours either due to internal causes or external causes which may be pathogenic micro-organism, through (a)drugs of opposite temperament to the temperament of the disease that is called Ilaj-bil-zid or (b) drugs of similar temperament as of the temperament of the disease that is called as Ilaj-bil-misl
The drugs used are mostly of the Plant origin. Some drugs of Animal and Mineral Origin are also used. Patients are treated either by single drugs (crude drugs) or by compound drugs (formulations of single drugs).

There are two types of compound drugs used in the treatment of the diseases i.e. Classical compound drugs which are in use for the hundreds and thousands years and Patent/Proprietary compound drugs which have been formulated by the individuals or institutions as per their research and experiences.

Unani system of medicine is one of the oldest system of medicine in the world it is still popular & practiced in Indian sub continent & other parts of the world.

The scientists and experts of different countries have contributed in development of Unani system in different periods as under.

The development of Unani Medicine can be divided into following periods

During the Greek Period

Unani medicine was originated in Greece and its founder was great philospher & Physician ,Hippocrates ( Buqrat 460-377 BC).He was the first Unani Physician who opened the education of Medicine to all communities, so he is known as the father of medicine in Allopathic also because modern medical science was developed on the foundation of Hippocratic philosophy of health and disease. Before Hippocrates it was restricted to the Aesclabius family only. After Buqrat, Galen(Jalinoos130-201 BC) contributed a lot to the Unani Medicine. Aristotle (Arastoo384-322 BC) laid down foundation of Anatomy & physiology.

Dioscorides was the famous physician in the Ist Century AD. He was famous for his book on Ilmuladviya(Pharmacology) named as Kitabulhashayash.

During the Arabic-Persian Era

(a) In Egyptian period the pharmacy was very much developed and they prepared the medicine in different dosage forms like alcohol, oils, powder and ointment etc.

(b) Persia encouraged and developed physicians and philosophers by the Iranian .They further developed this medicine into a complete science and it got deep roots in the masses. Eminent Physician of this period are:-

1. Ibne Raban Tabari (810-895AD) was famous physician and wrote a book Firdous ul Hikmat and introduced concept of official formulary,

2. Abu Bakar Zarakariya Razi or Rhazes (865-925 AD) etc. He wrote the book "Alhawi fit tibb". He was first scholar who described the concept of Acquired Immunity by his experiments in the article "Maqala fi Judri wa Hasba".

(c) The Islamic rulers of the Arabian countries further developed and adopted the Unani Medicine at government level and here at first they recognised the importance of the official formulary (Qarabadeen). They made many additions /deletions on the basis of their experiments, advance knowledge of Medicine in Greek and Persian literature. They developed the chemistry, pharmacy and pharmaceutical procedures. In this period they invented the process of distillation, sublimation, calcination and fermentation to promote the efficacy of the medicine and to remove the impurities and toxic effects of the drugs.

1. Jabir bin Hayyan(717-813AD) who was settled in the Arab as Royal physician was a famous physician and Chemist. He was the first who had described Chemistry.

2. The very eminent scholar of this period was Bu Ali Sina ( Avicenna 980-1037AD)

He was the great philosopher, physician of the Arab. He gave a final shape to the Unani medicine & redefined many concepts based on his clinical experiences. His book Alqanoon or (The canon of medicine) was an internationally accepted book on medicine, which was taught in European countries till the 17th century.

During the Spanish Period

The Arabs have introduced Unani medicine in the Spain in the patronage of Spanish Ruler, many scholars contributed a lot to Unani Medicine for instance 1. Abul Qasim Zohravi ( Abulcasus 946 -1036AD) was the famous surgeon was attached to Royal Hospital of Cordoba. He wrote a famous book on surgery "Al Tasreef"

2. Ibn-e-Haisham (965-1039AD)was a renowned scientist and Unani physician from Syria laid down the foundation of optics in his famous book"Kitabul Manazir"

3. Ibn-e-Zohar ( Avenzor1091-1162AD) was a renowned physician and Scholar. He was known for his famous book "Kitabul Tasreef".

4. Ibn Rushd (1126-1198AD) was famous for his book on Basic Principals of Unani Medicine known as Kitabul Kulliyat

5. Ibne Baitar (1197-1248AD) was Pharmacognosist and Botanist. His famous book on extensive survey and experiments on Single Drugs of Plant origin Kitabul jameul Mufradat. Was widely acclaimed.

6. Ibn-e-Nafees (1210-1288 AD) was the first scientist who described the blood pulmonary circulation and prescribed anatomy as a separate chapters.

Present Indian Context

Unani medicine in India was introduced in 1351 AD by Arabs. The first known Hakim was Zia Mohd Masood Rasheed zangi. Unani Medicine soon got acceptance by the masses due to its efficacy and nontoxicity of the drugs. Following eminent scholars of that period are:

1. Akbar. Mohd. Akbar Arzani (1721 AD death.). He was known for his book Qarabadin Qadri and Tibbe Akbar,based on his own lifelong clinical experience.

2. Hakim M. Shareef Khan (1725-1807) A famous Hakim of Delhi in Mughal Period. He was famous for his book Ilaj ul Amraz.

3. Hakim Ajmal Khan (1864-1927) Hkm Ajmal Khan. was renowned Hakim,scientist,politician and freedom fighter and a great patriot. He has established Unani and Ayurvedic College at Karol Bagh Delhi. He is remembered as Masihul Mulk Hkm Ajmal Khan.He was the first person who opened the door of research in Indian Systems of medicine and under his supervision Asarol (Rauwolfia serpentina) was analysed and isolated various alkaloids i.e. Ajmaloon, Reserpine etc and most effective drug for Hypertension was introduced in world.

4. Hakim kabeeruddin (April 1894-9th January 1976) was very dedicated scholar of Unani Medicine . He was translated 88 Unani books of Arabic and Persian languages into Urdu. Which was the greatest achievement. Due to this achievements today, the Unani colleges in India are in existence. The first institution of Unani medicine was established in 1872 as Oriental College at Lahore. Thereafter many institution came into existence.

Post independence India period

After independence Govt. of India at first constituted Unani pharmacopoeia Committee in 1964.,consisting of Unani experts and scientist with a view to maintain uniformity in the standards of drugs and to prescribe standards for compound formulations. And also to prescribe tests for identity, purity, efficacy and quality of the drugs. Pharmacopoeia Laboratory of Indian Medicine at Ghaziabad was established under Govt. of India to workout standards and drug testing for Indian System of Medicine at national level.

Govt. of India has also established Central Council of Indian Medicine ,an statutory body,for laying down standards and maintaining uniform standard of education in the Indian System of Medicine including Unani and to regulate the practices in Indian System of Medicine.

In order to develop high standards of education and research in Unani Medicine at national level a National Institute of Unani Medicine has been established at Bangalore in 1983 in collaboration with the Govt. of Karnataka which provided 55 acres of land for the Institute.

In addition to these developments Central Council for Research in Indian Medicine was established in 1969.During 1978 these these Council were bifurcated into separate Central Councils as such Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine was established in 1979, with a view to initiate ,guide, aid, develop, coordinate scientific research in different aspects of fundamental and applied Unani System of Medicine.

In the combined Council Hk. A. Razzaque was the Head of the Unani Council. He was the expert and educationist who has established different wings of the present council all over India. As such there are 11 Regional Research Institutes, 7 Clinical Research Units, one Literary Research Units, 2 Survey and Cultivation of Medicinal Plants Unit, 7 Drug Standardisation Research Unit.

Unani Medicine system in India FAQ's

What is Unani system of Medicine ?
Unani system is a science which deals with the preventive and promotive aspects of human being and health problems occurred by the Ecological and Environmental factors, which may vitiate humours i.e. Blood, Phlegm, Yellow bile and Black bile, the fluids circulating in the body vessels. It teaches to maintain the health and treat if effected by disease by bringing back the balance in imbalance humours. Humours are one of the basic principles & concepts conceptualized by the 'Father of Medicine', 'Hippocrates'.

What are the basic principles & concepts of Unani system ?
In the basic principles and concepts the human body is considered to be made up of the following components.

1. Arkan (Elements)
2. Mizaj (Temperament)
3. Akhlat (Humours)
4. Aza (Organs)
5. Arwah (Spirit)
6. Quwa (Powers)
7. Afa'l (Function)

(I) Elements (Arkan): These are four i.e. Air, Water, Earth and Fire. Actually these four elements represents several other elements found in the modern science. There are four states denoting the temperaments of these four elements

Air - Hot & Moist
Fire - Hot & Dry
Earth - Cold & Dry
Water - Cold & Moist

(II) Temperaments (Mizaj):- The interaction between the chemical combination of four elements, produces various states which determine the temperament of an individual human being, plants, & minerals. Temperament (Mizaj) is simply defined as having the following states and their combinations:-

Hot- Single -------Compound - Hot & Dry
Dry- Single -------Compound - Hot & Moist
Cold- Single -------Compound - Cold & Dry
Moist-Single -------Compound - Cold & Moist

(III) Humours (Akhlat):- The humours are actually the body fluids which are classified broadly in four. The fluids of the body contains various harmones, enzymes and humours etc. They are responsible for nutrition to the whole of body. These fluids are (a) Primary (b) Secondary.

(a) Primary fluids are four humour i.e. blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile.
(b) Secondary fluids are harmones, enzymes, and plasma etc.

(IV) Organs (Aaza):- Organs are composed of cell, tissues, nerves and blood vessels. Various organs of the body and health in disease condition of each individual affects the state of health.

(V) Pneuma-Gaseous material (Arwah):- The Pneuma is a life force which carries of different powers, without which human body is dead. This is a source of life and vitality.

(VI) Faculties (Qawa):- Faculties/Powers are of three kinds.

(a) Natural powers
(b) Psychic powers
(c) Vital powers

(VII) Functions (Afaal):- Includes movements of various organs. It is necessary to ensure that various organs should be in proper shape and condition to perform proper functions.

What does temperament of the drugs means ?
The temperament of the drugs means the whole chemistry and properties of a drug, its quality of having toxicity or otherwise. The drugs belongs to plant, mineral & animal origin have their own temperaments. Because of the temperament the property of one drug differs from the other.

How one can ascertain the temperament of compound drugs ?
The different ingredients of a drug have a molecular structure (Surat-Mauiyah). Therefore their temperament is also different. When ingredients of different temperament assemble in a compound drug, they develop and produce a different temperament altogether.

Describe and illustrate the method of assessment of the temperament of a drug ?
Al-Kindi (A distinguished pharcognosict died in 873 A.D.) established a method to asses the temperament, degrees of compound drugs and illustrated as follows.

Cardamom 1 warm ½ cold ½ moist 1 dry
Sugar 2 warm 1 cold 1 moist 2 dry
Indigo ½ warm 1 cold ½ moist 1 dry
Embolica 1 warm 2 cold 1 moist 2 dry

Sum:- 4 ½ warm 4 ½ cold 3 moist 6 dry

Thus the drug is dried to the first degree.

What do you mean by Hot, Wet or Dry Quality of Drug ?
The temperament is a quality of drug it means the drug is hot and cold in touch and vice-versa. It actually means that the drug is potentially or action wise hot in comparison to the body. The potency and degree developed inside the body. The action take place after in-take of drug, which increase or decrease the body temperament, stimulating the thermostat, centre of hypothalamus, by increasing the Basic Metabolic Mates (BMR), by releasing various hormones. A drug is said to be hot because it produces certain symptoms related to heat after intake. A drug is said to be cold when it lowers the temperament by influencing hypothalamus or decreasing the BMR, as such the symptoms produces after intake of drugs of various temperaments attributed to hot, cold, moist or dry.

Is there gradation of potencies of drugs ?
In Unani all drugs are defined in temperamental qualities and graded into four degrees according the potency of their qualities as hot, cold, moist (wet) and dry. Thus a hot drug graded in degree one, two, three and four and cold, moist and hot are defined vice-versa. Thus the first and second degree is safe and third have a toxic effect of mild nature and the fourth considered having side-effects or toxic.

What is importance of temperament and its manifestation ?
For maintaining health it is imperative to maintain temperaments as well. It is also paramount to a physician to keep the temperament in mind while diagnosing a disease. The dominance of one or more humor in the body vitiate humor itself and create a condition i.e. cold disease.

How the humors altered and create disease ?
There are various factors which affect the humors. When disturbance in the quantity, quality and equilibrium in one or more humors occurred due to the effect of atmosphere or otherwise it causes disease.

How the temperament was determined ?
It is the observation, experimentation and experience of ancient physicians who had under taken clinical trials on living beings and treated with single as well as compound drugs. According to the actions, resulted in the human body, observed and examined by the physicians, the temperament was defined and determined.

What types of drugs are used in Unani system ?
Drugs of Herbal, Mineral & Animal origin are used. They form a large number of formulations and shape acceptable to the patient.

In what form the drugs are used ?
Drugs are used in crude form as single drugs and compound form.

Why compound drugs are used when the single drugs also have effective action ?
Because single drug sometime could not give desired effect and results, they can give less and sometime severe action. A drug of compound ingredients counteract the toxic effect of chemically active principle and act as antidote and enhance the required action of other single drugs.

On combination of multiple drugs in a formula having different qualities and active principles of mild or severe nature interact with each other. In the process the toxic effects or side-effects reduce to nil therefore the trend continue.

In compound forms whether the Unani drugs retain the quality and maintain the efficacy of drug and their life ?
In Unani drug sugar or honey is the base as a preservative. So if the preservative are standard then the drug retain the quality, efficacy and also retain the life for more than one year. The methods of preparation of compound drugs, preservatives are described in detail in NFUM, Part-I.

Are Unani drugs safe ?
All the drugs used in compound formulations are safe & non-toxic. These drugs are prepared according to the specific process & methods. Before preparation of Unani drugs toxicity of drugs are kept in mind and so the toxic ingredient are purified and de-toxified. Due to this process the toxicity is reduced to nil and the efficacy remains. Hence, the Unani drugs are absolutely safe.

It is well known that drugs in crude form act slowly. So they cannot give immediate relief to the patient? Then how the Unani physician handle in emergency and acute cases ?
The medicinal plants are a type of vegetation for example some fruit or vegetables are used to stop diarrhea and some are administered to increase hemoglobin in anemia. There action is fast. As such Unani medicines take effective action in the patients of acute diseases as well as of chronic diseases.

In the following acute conditions Unani drugs take immediate action.

I. Indigestion, Acidity, Flatulence
II. Diarrhea
III. Dysentery
IV. Bronchitis
V. Coryza and Cattarrh.
VI. Abdominal pain
VII. Urticaria and other ailments

The misconception that the Unani drugs act only in chronic diseases is absolutely in-correct. The Arthritis, Bronchial Asthma, Sinusitis, Hepatitis etc. becomes chronic due to repeated administration of allopathic drugs. These can be cured in acute condition by Unani drugs. As almost all the Unani drugs are used orally or locally and injectables are not used in the system, therefore they act like the allopathic drugs through the same route.

What are preventive & promotive aspect of Unani ?
Ecological & environmental factors affect the balance of humours in the body and also vitiate them. Maintenance of humour and promotion and preservation of health depends on six essentials which influence the living being with respect to preservation of health and causation of disease.

The Six Essentials (Asbab-e-Sitt-e-Zarooriya) are:-

I. Hawa-e-Muhit (atmospheric air)
II. Makul-vo-Mashrub (food & drink)
III. Harkat-vo-sakun badni (physical movement & rest)
IV. Harkat-vo-Sakun al-Nafsani (Mental movement and rest)
V. Naum vo-Yaqzah (Sleep and wakefulness)
VI. Istifragh-vo-Ihtibas (Evacuation & retention).

How the disease is diagnosed ?
Diagnosis is involved investigation of the cause of disease through pulse reading, naked eye examination of urine & stool and through the other conventional methods i.e. auscultation, palpation, percussion with the help of some modern tools. Thus, the spot diagnosis is made very easy.

What are the modes/methods of treatment ?
Modes of treatment are four.

I. Regimenal therapy
II. Dieto therapy
III. Pharmaco therapy
IV. Surgery.

What do you mean by regimenal therapy ?
Regimens are five as under.

I. Exercise
II. Massage
III. Hammam
IV. Douches
V. Regimen of Geriatrics

Hammam and massage therapy is available in Govt. Nizamia General Hospital (Unani) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Cupping therapy as another speciality treatment of Unani is available in Central Research Instt., (CCRUM) Hyderabad, A.P.

Whether this system is recognised by the Govt. of India ?
Yes, this system is recognised by Govt. of India, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, under the Act-1970, to provide for the constitution of a Central Council of Indian Medicine and to maintain a Central Register of Indian Medicine. The CCIM makes the education regulations. This is a statutory body set up by an Act of Parliament. The training and education in Unani are being regulated by the CCIM Act. At present there are 39 recognized under graduate and three P.G. Unani colleges and 7 specialties are available in the P.G. courses.

What is the infrastructure of Unani in India ?
Unani system has a network of Colleges, Hospitals, Dispensaries, Research Institutes, National Institutes and Unani specialty centre established by the Department of ISM & H, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India.

Is there any act to control the standards of Unani drug manufacturer sale, distribution and import-export law ?
Drug Technical Advisory Board constituted for Ay., Unani & Siddha under the Drugs & Cosmetics Act & Rules-1940 to control the standards of drugs, manufacturing, sales & distribution of Unani drugs.

Is there any Drug Testing Lab. for Unani Medicines ?
Yes, the PLIM is a Govt. Drug Testing Lab. for standardization and quality control of Ayurveda & Unani drugs.