Unani Medicine
Unani Medicine (Tibb-e-Unani) is a Greco-Arabic medical system that flourished in the Islamic world and later became an integral part of India’s medical landscape. It is rooted in the humoral theory of Hippocrates and Galen, refined by Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā), and transmitted to the Indian subcontinent through Persian and Arabic scholarly traditions.
Origins
The system originates from ancient Greek medicine, particularly the works of Hippocrates (460–370 BCE) and Galen (129–216 CE). It was systematised by Avicenna in his canon Al-Qānūn fī al-Ṭibb and enriched by Rhazes (al-Rāzī), Avenzoar (Ibn Zuhr), and others. Unani reached India during the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal periods, establishing institutional presence through hospitals (dār al-shifā) and scholarly traditions.
Methodology
Unani diagnosis relies on physical examination, urinalysis, pulse reading, and assessment of the four humors (dam/blood, balgham/phlegm, ṣafrā/yellow bile, saudā/black bile). Treatment employs phlebotomy (fasd), cupping (ḥijāma), leeching, purging, and a materia medica of single drugs and compound formulations. Regimenal therapy (ilāj bil-tadbīr) including diet, exercise, and hygiene forms the backbone of practice.
Claims
Practitioners claim efficacy for chronic liver disorders, skin diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, and gastrointestinal ailments. Specific formulations are claimed to restore humoral balance, improve digestion, and enhance metabolic function. The system also emphasises prevention through constitutional medicine and seasonal regulation.
Modern status
Unani medicine is formally recognised in India under the Ministry of AYUSH, with degree programs (Kamil-al-Tibb) offered at several universities. The Central Council of Indian Medicine includes Unani in its curriculum. Research output has increased in recent decades, with studies on formulations for diabetes, hepatitis, and wound healing.
Verification notes
Several Unani formulations have demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials, particularly for dermatological and hepatic conditions. Standardisation of polyherbal formulations remains challenging. Heavy metal contamination in some traditional preparations is a safety concern. Vidyākośa recognises verified claims where clinical evidence exists and marks others as requiring further investigation.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).