Unani Therapy - How It Can Help You Treat Diseases?

Unani, the system of traditional medicine, has been practiced in India for a long time now. Originated in Greece and pioneered by Hippocrates, it came to India through Arabs and Persians during the 11th century. Even though it has foreign roots, it has been practiced widely and adopted in India.

Core of Unani
The Unani system of medicine believes that disease is a natural process and their symptoms are reactions of the body to the disease. The proper functioning of the body is dependent on seven key factors or Umoor-E-Tabaiya - elements, temperament, humours, organs, vital forces, faculties and functions. Also, it emphasizes the presence of four humours in the body. These are the essential fluids, which the human body obtains from food and constitutes of various hormones and enzymes.

Each of these humours carry a temperament:

• Blood – Dam: It is hot and moist.
• Phlegm – Balgham: It is cold and moist.
• Yellow bile – Safra: It is hot and dry.
• Black bile – Sauda: It is cold and dry.

A person is considered to be healthy if these four humours and their corresponding temperaments are in a state of mutual equilibrium. Every individual has their own humoural composition, which represents their state of health. An imbalance in the humours leads to diseases and ailments in the body.

Diagnosis of Unani
The balance of the humours and the overall health of the body is assessed through the pulse or nabz, urine and stool. Also the functioning of the entire body and mental health is determined with the help of the pulse, urine and stool.

The Unani Therapy
Unani takes into account the whole personality of the individual and employs the following techniques:

1. Regimental therapy – It is a special technique that uses detoxification methods to remove waste materials and improve the defence mechanism of the body. Some of the commonly used therapies under this section are as follows:
2. Venesection – This corrects blood-related problems and relieves high blood pressure.
3. Cupping – This cleans the skin and gets rid of waste matters
4. Sweating – Dry or wet fomentation, massage, warm water bath are used to remove waste through the natural process of sweating.
5. Diuresis – Waste products are excreted through urine and used as cure for certain diseases of heart, liver and lungs.
6. Turkish bath - Hot or cold bath is taken to eradicate waste and increase nutrition.
7. Massage – It improves the blood supply and relaxes muscles.

Pharmacotherapy
Important components used in Unani medicine are as follows:
• Hibiscus
• Haritaki
• Saunf
• Ashwagandha
• Almonds
• Kasni or chicory

Diet therapy: Proper monitoring of the diet in accordance with the individual is prescribed. This age-old alternate form of medicine is noteworthy for its remarkable benefits. 

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!