Unani: Medicine, Hakims, Doctors, Treatments, Medical Colleges

Unani traditional medicine

The Unani system originated in Greece, and the pioneering man behind the design was Hippocrates. Unani, the Indian system of traditional medicine, has been practised in India for a long time. The system introduced to India by Arabs and Persians in the eleventh century, who worked and researched extensively on Greek philosophy. The Unani system was in its zenith during the Delhi Sultanate. Since then, it has been rooted here except for the British regime. Now, India is the leading country in the world regarding Unani education, hospitals, and health care facilities.

Unani principle concepts

The entire concept of the Unani medicine system revolves around Hippocrates’s four humour theories: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. As per Unani, the human body consists of seven components: Element (Arkan), Temperament (Mizaj), Humors (Akhlat), Organs (Aaza), Spirits (Arwah), Faculties (Quwa), and Functions (Afaal). The four parts of the element with temperament are Air (hot & moist), Earth (cold & dry), Fire (hot & dry), and Water (cold & wet).

Unani treatment

In Unani treatment, the six essential pre-requisites (Asbab Sitta e Zaroriayah) for the promotion of health and prevention of diseases are Air, Food and drinks, Bodily movement and repose, Psychic movement and stillness, sleep and wakefulness, Evacuation and retention.  The critical treatments in Unani medicine are:

1. Regimental therapy (Ilaj-bil-Tadbir): It is also known as the detoxification method. The following techniques used in regimental treatment are:

• Venesection (Fasd)- suitable for blood-related problems, toxicity prevention, waste excretion, and menstrual disorder.
• Cupping (Al-hijama)- Used in case of skin cleansing, menses solutions, liver disease, and piles.
• Sweating (Tareeq)-releases waste matter from the skin.
• Diuresis (Idrar-e-baul)-helps in excreting toxic matter from the body.
• Turkish bath (Hamam)-refreshing the body.
• Massage (Dalk, Malish). Counter irritation- provides relief to pain and burning irritation.
• Cauterization (Amal-e-Kae)-prevents poison malignancy and joint pains and helps to remove pathogens.
• Purging (Ishal)- Used for intestinal evacuation.
•  Vomiting (Qai)-Good in treating headaches, migraines, and bronchial-related problems.
• Exercise (Riyazat)-Good for overall wellbeing.
• Leeching (Taleeq-e-Alaq)-Used to remove toxins from the body.

2. Dieto Therapy (Ilaj-bil-Ghiza): Diet plays an essential role in the Unani system. Quality and quantity of food are of utmost importance in Unani.

3. Pharmacotherapy (Ilaj-bil-Dawa) deals with drugs, mainly naturally occurring.

4. Surgery (Ilaj-bil-Yad): Simple and minor surgery is being conducted in the system.

Leading Unani Institutes/Institutions

The topmost Unani institutions and organizations of the world are given below.

1. Hamdard University, Pakistan
2. Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, India
3. Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM), Hyderabad, India
4. Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Science, India
5. Jamia Tibbiya Deoband, India
6. Unani Department of Hamdard University, India
7. Tibbia College, Pakistan
8. National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, India
9. Tipu Sultan Unani Medical College, Gulbarga, Karnataka
10. Govt. Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Top Unani Hakims of the world

The world famous Hakims who had done wonderful contributions to the growth and promotion of the Unani system are given below. In fact, they are the real heroes, which gave a new shape to the Unani System.

• Hakim Abdul Aziz
• Hakim Abdul Hameed
• Hakim Ajmal Khan
• Hakim Habibur Rahman
• Hakim Hammad Usmani
• Hakim Mohammed Said
• Hakim Syed Atiqul Qadir
• Hakim Syed Fazlur Rahman
• Hakim Syed Karam Hussain
• Hakim Syed Zillur Rahman
• Qazi Mazhar Qayyum

Unani doctor

Unani doctors have good job opportunities in India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East because of their holistic nature and in-depth healing power with the most minor side effects. One can become a Unani doctor after passing the Bachelor of Unani Medicine & Surgery (BUMS) course. It is 5½ year course including house surgery. The eligibility for BUMS is that one should pass the 12^th standard with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate in physics, chemistry, and biology from a recognised college or university. Those candidates who have Urdu in their Intermediate exam are given preference. After completing BUMS, one can pursue MD (Mahir-e-Tibb) and MS courses. The interested candidate may also pursue a Ph.D.

Unani research centers

1. RRI of Unani Medicine, Srinagar
2. Clinical Research Unit, Bangalore
3. Clinical Research Unit, Alawaye
4. Clinical Research Unit, Bhopal
5. Clinical Research Unit, Buranpur
6. RRI of Unani Medicine, Mumbai
7. Family Welfare Research Unit, Mumbai
8. Clinical Research Unit, Unani Medical College & Hospital, Pune
9. RRI of Unani Medicine, Balasore
10. RRI of Unani Medicine, Chennai
11. Drug Standardisation Research Unit, Chennai
12. Institute of Unani Medicinal Plants, Lucknow
13. RRIUM, Aligarh
14. Clinical Research Unit, Allahabad
15. Clinical Research Unit, Meerut
16. Drug Standardisation Research Unit, Lucknow
17. Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine, Hyderabad
18. Drug Standardisation Unit Jamia Hamdard, Delhi
19. RRI of Unani Medicine, Abul Fazal, Okhla

Unani medical colleges

Many Unani medical colleges and institutions in India offer UG and PG courses in the field. The list of 38 medical colleges is being given in different states.