2. What’s Unani
medicine ?
Unani medicine as its name owes its origin to Greece has
come a long way to its present destination. As it is called
synonimically by various other names such as the medicine of
Muslims, Islamic medicine, the Ionian medicine or as Arabic
medicine. Now regarded as a one of the main stream
category of Indian system of medicine and is mainstreaming
medical education.
The growth of Unani medicine has spread its roots in the
western countries as a part of the CAM-complementary health
services and holistic healthcare services. As a branch of
alternate medicine it is spreading its frontiers form the east to
the west and its popularity rising and spreading by the word of
mouth.
3. Avicenna describes in his “Al qanoon fil tibb” part IV , Section I treatment comprises of
three things;
•Regimen and diet
•Medication
•Manual operations
By regimen it pertains to the management of essential factors which have been
enumerated and are operating on life in a regular custom, food being one of the major
parts of the two entities.
Food is also an important aspect of the regular treatment procedure but as long as
regimental types are maintained they can be settled for the best use and also for
preventive , curative measures for fast prognosis of the disease and better quality of
treatment.
4. concept
&
theory
The concepts of Unani medicine range
from the concepts of humoral theory
(Akhlath) as well as from that of the
temperament (Mizaj) and are being
practiced from a long time through
many generations with it’s time
tested period. Along with The seven
umur –[components] which are
responsible for life.
5. Umoor-components
1. Al - Arkan / Al Anasir-elements.
2. Al –Mizaj (Temperament)
3. Al – Akhlat (Humours – body fluids)
4. Al – A’za’ (organs or members)
5. Al – Arwah (Pneuma or vital spirit)
6. Al – Quwa (faculties or powers)
7. Al – Af’al (functions)
6. Gahir Zaroriyah-
efficient caUses
• Al - Bilad (geographical conditions of the
country and town and other related matters)
• Al - Masakin (residential conditions and related
matters)
• At - Sena’at (occupation and related matters)
• At – ‘Adat (habits and related matters)
• Al – Asnan (Age and related matters)
• Al – Ajnas (sex and related matters)
• Ummur muzadat-tabi’at (Any other factor
antagonistic to nature and artificial ionizing
radiations, electricity and other natural forces).
8. Cauterization
Cauterization as its name suggests to it is burning, the
process of using the concept of burning methodology for
haemostatic conditions of the diseased tissue or an over
growth , in form of beauty treatments , the small overgrowth
freckles on the facial skin is been a hindrance in the beauty of
the woman who has been facing for a long time .
The old method of cauterization was described by the first
surgeon of the tibb –Al Zehravi – in his book al tasrif and also
typical surgical instruments were prepared for the process of
cauterization.
Mohamed Kamal Hussein describes briefly the use of
cauterization , in his book The concise history of medicine ,
that these were the first sort of methods during wars where in
the bleeding wound were haemostatic by application of fire at
open wounds.
9. Diuresis
Diuresis is been the strongest point of treatment among unani
practioners as of the fact of excretion of the drug out of the body
after its action in the body there are a number of methods for
having the drug expelled out of the body from water – water
expulsion to side effect of the drug or water taken as the medium
of drug induction in the body.
The common use of coffee as an diuretic is a common tradition in
southern India which is been followed without even the thought of
it being a diuretic by nature , this is given to the mother soon after
her labour , the concept as a traditional custom in most parts of
the houses and it is been a customary practice to carry some
coffee powder along with the wheat bread to visit the new born
and the mother , the coffee being a diuretic it acts a regimental
therapy here even though it’s a traditional custom and has been
followed from ages , this lost concept has been introduced with
the modern western treatment of post labor management , this is
one such example which had been un seen off , but is been used
for ages and accepted unconditionally by the society of the
subcontinent.
10. Diaphoresis
Diaphoresis , which is excessive sweating and this could be
commonly associated with shock and immediate medical
emergencies according to the western medicine , but this is been
in use form ages and also has a description that this concept is
one of a best remedy in the treatment of fevers and upper
respiratory tract infections .
When having a comparison with the present fever concept , rise
of temperature is termed as pyrexia or commonly called as fever ,
but this was only a rise of temperature concept and to reduce the
rise of temperature in the body the only concept was to bring out
perspiration .
From a long time , according to al qanoon of Avicenna , Hassan
Kamal describes in his encyclopedia that Tukhm-eRehan
commonly called as basil seeds were the best for the processes
of increased perspiration.
11. Emesis
Vomiting , the forceful expulsion of one’s stomach contents
though the oral route , this has been into a practice since 14th
centaury AD, simple tips of vomiting when found regurgitation of
excess food or by due to the nausea tic effect of occupation .
Vomiting has been advised during some treatments of
headaches, like even simple head ache, the most is in hysterical
headaches, simple method of inducing vomiting is just touch of
the beetle leaf at the end of the epiglottis , this was practiced to
induce vomiting in hysterical patients ,and can even be seen as a
treatment for hysterical women , even now in the remote villages
of southern india , during documentation on such practicing folk
healer was documented and according to her a simple method of
vomiting like this is very beneficial in treating hysterical patients .
12. Purgation
Purging , this concept is the begin of every treatment , the
diseased person is first administered to purgation before any
treatment is started , with a concept of cleansing of the intestines
so that the medicine is absorbed easier and will be faster in the
treatment process.
The old classics of using fermentative recepies for treatment of
chronic diseases are a classic example of purgation this concept
has been in use as a complementary therapy even along with the
western medicine.
For example when we look at the thought of supplements of
vitamins in the body, it has been observed that along with the
multivitamins purgatives have been advised.
The concept of enema is also a regimental therapy in care of a
pregnant women, with some archives taking back to 10th centaury
herbs like amaltass Cassia family were used though enema for
purgation before labor and this is now substituted with soap water
which could be a irritated purgation than the old traditional herbal
purgation .
13. Venisection
Venisection, this type of regimental therapy was the first sort of
treatment for hysterical women and people suffering from chronic
headaches “Al Zehravi the first ever surgeon used this first time
to evacuate the abnormal collected blood from the body.
Even to this date , the tribes in the afghan deserts use leaf of
hard lemon grass for Venisection and these leaf blades are used
to cut the vies so that it is not painful *. These are used as
traditions of long term ages and these have been into practice.
When we have a comparison with the modern medicine the
psychologists use this concept in treating the psychological
diseases like hysteria and night mare.
An incision is done at the veins of the neck in the occipital region
and as this is painful and the lemon grass acts as an anti
depressant.
14. Cupping
Cupping , the cup is full of pain relaxing , what can one need ,
more than a cup of earth to relieve pain , these were the words
when a old person who was travelling for hajj replied when asked
, what would he do for sever head ache ,he smiled and replied
these words ,he continued describing the application of cups ,
earthen pots described in the hadiyath that its been discussed
that u just have to do cupping to get relieved from head ache ,
the next line was : was there any medicine in about 500 yrs ago
for simple treatments of head ache ? , there was only a
regimental therapy and not the medication for these kinds of
symptoms.
When we look back to the archives Avicenna describes cupping
as the main source to relieve pain. Let us compare this to stress
management. a pilot study was done , cupping with small mud
pot was used to get relief from pain of the back after caesarean
section .
15. Leeching
Leeching, the occupation becomes a hazard for some like the
police men, teachers and working people who are always
standing; the women stand the whole day for example women
keep two –three pots on the head for at least 2-3 hrs on their
head while they sell drinking water at the elephant caves –
Mumbai
And these women develop varicose veins , as a remedy for
varicose veins they pick up the leech at the side of the water bed
and apply it to the varicose vein , the leech sucks up the whole
blood at the engorged vein releasing the blood clot. This helps
them without painful procedure and no cost for the treatment of
varicose veins.
Regimental therapy , An emerging entity from tibb for well being of a
person
17th November 2009, Dr. Amina Ather, Team lead IFRTK, Bangalore
16. Massage
Massage, this type of regimental therapy is been in
practice for a longer time in different form for different
people and different age groups .The basics of massage
relies on the concept of the pressure points of the
body .A simple massage can be very effective than a
strong pain reliever . This has been observed in muscle
pull of the calf muscles.
A simple poultices prepared from neem leaves , grated
coconut and lemon , acts very soothing for the massage
procedures of relief of pain during back ache arthritis
and muscle twitches
17. Fomentation and Turkish bath
Exercise, fomentation and Turkish baths
All the three have become chapter of the spa industry
but this concept was started way back for the well being
of the person and as a rejuvenation therapy. This was
advised as a part of the treatment or as a regimental
therapy .
18. General statement of
treatment
Regimen and diet
Use of Medicines
Manual operations
19. holistic approach
Attempt to provide the best of
physical mental and spiritual health
by promoting inherent mechanism of
the body which is natural with the
help of faith , dietary regulation and
keeping of seasonal daily routines of
life.
21. reliGioUs
coUnsellinG
Instructions of each religion.
Boundaries between each religion
Boundaries with in each religion.
Customs and traditions followed
through ages.
22. DUA, DAWA and TAWAKAL ALLAH
(SUPPLICATION, MEDICINE and
RELIANCE on ALL MIGHTY).
23. Why Unani medicine for
malaysia
• As of the online survey –95% of
Malaysian women buy products for
reproductive health management
online which are about 60% from
Unani medicine.
• 95% of Malaysian older population
buy Unani medicine online of unani
origin for geriaritic care and anti
ageing therapies…
24. ……Unani medicine &
malaysia
• Common cultural background
• Common practices
• Common belief
• Common theology
• Common herbs
• Common regimen therapies.
25. edUcation …..
• Short courses
• Short term diplomas
• Diploma courses
• Graduate courses
• Post –graduate programs
• Inter-cultrural exchnage programs.