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Medical practice
and theory were
then dominated
by the works
of the Greek
physican Galen
(A.D. 130-200)
who studied
anatomy and
made use of
numerous drugs.
The Unani system
of medicine
owes, as its
name suggests,
its origin to
Greece. The
term ‘UNANI’
is derived from
the word ‘UNAN’
which means
Greece in Arabic.
It was the work
of the Greek
philosopher-physician
Hippocrates
{Buqrat In Arabic}
(460-377 B.C.),
who freed medicine
from the realm
of superstition
and magic and
gave it the
status of science.
The Muslims
who invaded
India in the
11th century
brought their
medicine with
them, and the
system is prominent
today, particularly
among Muslims,
in India and
its surrounding
countries. It
owes most to
the work of
the 10th-century
Persian physician
Ibn Sina, known
in the West
as Avicenna.
A follower of
Galen, he considered
the physical,
emotional, and
spiritual aspects
of health and
developed a
system of botanical
medicine and
dietetics for
health.
Unani- Tibb
has been influenced
by Ayurvedic
medicine, as
well as influencing
it. It is a
holistic system
that treats
the imbalances
that lead to
disease and
encourages the
patient to adopt
a balanced way
of life. It
incorporates
the following
concepts:
four elements,
namely, earth
and water (heavy)
and fire and
air (light)
nine temperaments,
one equable
(balanced) and
eight nonequable
and relating
to hot, cold,
wet, and dry
four humors,
as in ancient
Greek medicine
- blood, phlegm,
yellow bile,
and black bile
- semigaseous
vapors that
maintain body
fluids and balance
digestion.
In India
In India, Unani
system of medicine
was introduced
by the Arabs
and soon took
firm roots in
the soil. When
Mongols ravaged
Persian and
Central Asian
cities, scholars
and physicians
of Unani medicine
fled to India.
The Delhi Sultans,
the Khiljis,
the Tughlaqs
and the Mughal
Emperors provided
state patronage
to the scholars
and even enrolled
some as state
employees and
court physicians.
During 13th
and 17th century
A.D. Unani Medicine
had its heyday
in India. During
the British
rule Unani system
of medicine
suffered a setback
due to withdrawal
of State patronage,
but continued
to be practised
as the masses
reposed faith
in the system.
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