Hijama

Hijama is a therapeutic practice of cupping (wet and dry) used in Unani medicine and traditional healing systems across India, involving the application of suction cups to the skin for disease prevention and treatment.

Overview

Hijama (cupping) is one of the prophetic medicines (tibb-e-nabvi) and a core therapeutic modality in Unani medicine. The practice involves creating suction on the skin using cups made of glass, silicone, or horn, either alone (dry cupping) or with small incisions to draw blood (wet cupping). It is used for pain relief, detoxification, inflammation reduction, and treating a wide range of conditions from musculoskeletal disorders to digestive issues.

History and Legend

Hijama has been practiced for over 3,000 years and is mentioned in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Islamic medical texts. In the Indian subcontinent, it was systematized by Unani physicians like Hippocrates, Galen, and Ibn Sina (Avicenna). The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have recommended hijama as beneficial, making it an integral part of Islamic medical tradition. The practice was brought to India by Unani physicians during the Delhi Sultanate period and has been continuously practiced in parts of North India, Maharashtra, and the Deccan.

Architecture and Features

Hijama is performed using cups placed on specific body points (mizaj points) determined by the practitioner’s diagnosis. Wet hijama involves making superficial skin incisions (1-2mm deep) before applying cups, drawing out small amounts of stagnant blood. Sessions typically last 10-20 minutes, and the practice is performed by trained hajim (cupping practitioners). Points are chosen based on the condition being treated and the patient’s constitutional type (mizaj). Post-procedure care includes wound cleaning and rest.

Modern Status

Hijama is practiced widely in Indian Muslim communities and increasingly in integrative medicine settings. The Central Council of Unani Medicine includes hijama in its curriculum, and training programs are offered at Unani medical colleges in Lucknow, Aligarh, and Hyderabad. Research at Jamia Hamdard University has studied the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of cupping therapy.

Verification Notes

• Hijama is included in the Unani medical curriculum at recognized Indian universities
• Jamia Hamdard University in New Delhi conducts research on Unani therapies including hijama
• The practice is regulated under the Unani medical practice act in several Indian states