Unani
Unaani (in
Arabic,
Hindustani,
Persian,
Pashtu,
Urdu etc) means
Greek. It derives from the Greek word
Ionia, the Greek name of the Asia Minor coastline.
It is also used to refer to Graeco-Arabic Medicine [
1] or Unani medicine [
2] (see below) based on the teachings of Hippocrates [
3].
Though the threads which comprise Unani healing can be traced all the way back to
Claudius Galenus of Pergamum, who lived in the second century of the
Christian Era, the basic knowledge of Unani medicine as a healing system was collected by Hakim Ibn Sina (known as
Avicenna). The time of origin is dated at circa
980 AD in
Persia. It is a comprehensive system encompassing virtually all of the known healing systems of the world. As an alternative medicine, unani has found favour in
Asia especially
India. In India, Unani practitioners can practice as qualified doctors, as the Indian government approves their practice. Unani medicine is very close to
Ayurveda. Both are based on theory of the presence of the
elements (in Unani, they are considered to be fire, water, earth and air) in the human body. (The elements, attributed to the philosopher
Empedocles, determined the way of thinking in medieval Europe.) According to followers of Unani medicine, these elements are present in different fluids and their balance leads to health and their imbalance leads to illness. Most medicines and remedies (often common herbs and foods) used in Unani are also used in Ayurveda. While Unani was influenced by
Islam, Ayurveda is associated with
Vedic culture.
The base used in Unani medicine is often honey. Honey is considered by some to have healing properties and hence is used in food and medicines practiced in the Islamic world. Real pearls and metal are also used in the making of Unani medicine based on the kind of ailment it is aimed to heal.
There is a province by the name
Hunan in
China. China has their own traditional healing system by the use of herbs and insects or even animals. Unani medicine is not to be confused with
Chinese medicine found in parts of Hunan province.
Hunan has nothing to do with the word "unani". Its origin is Arabic, the word "unani" means "greek". Unani medicine is also called as Graeco-Arabic Medicine.
*
Unani doctors website*
Hamdard Al-Majeed College of Eastern Medicine
