COHERENCE REVIEW OF ESSENTIAL FUNDAMENTALS OF UNANI, AYURVEDA, SIDDHA AND HOMEOPATHY SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE

Medicine, defined as the science and practice of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. The word medicine springs from Latin medicus, meaning “physician″. According to Henry Sigerist, the medical historian has stated that every culture had developed a system of medicine and medical history is but one aspect of history of culture. India, with its rich cultural heritage, has been in the forefront in contributing to the medical sciences, and there is plenty of proof of the same. Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) is one component of the six indigenous systems of medicine practiced in India. The art of tending to the sick is as antique as the humanity itself. The ancient civilizations probably knew about the functions, physiology and anatomy of the human physique in surprising details, and their art of tending the sick remains an evidence of their knowledge. The medical systems that are truly Indian in origin and development are Ayurveda and as well the Siddha system. Unani-Tibb and Homeopathy, though not of Indian origin, have a significant importance in health care in India. Today, India is among the leading countries as far as the practice of Unani medicine is concerned. This paper will be an attempt in analysing the insights of various fundamental principles and key concepts of Unani, Ayurveda, Siddha and Homeopathy along with their differential aspects.

Temperament – an important principle for health preservation in Tibb an-Nabawi and Unani-Tibb

Many prominent Greco-Arab (Unani-Tibb) physicians contributed to the advancement of medicine with their observations, practice, experience and experiments which gave priority to the preservation of health over the curing of ailments. Tibb an-Nabawi (Prophetic Medicine), the foundation of Islamic medicine placed great emphasis on preventative measures relating to lifestyle incorporating the spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of man. The key component to linking man’s inter-relationship with his environment was understood through the concept of temperament. This concept remains at the core of Unani-Tibb up until today in terms of research and practical application within the clinical setting. Central to the understanding of temperament are the associated qualities of heat, cold, moisture and dryness, the combination of which describes each individual’s unique constitutional make-up including personality traits, physical appearances and disease predispositions. Historically this formed the basis to the understanding of pathology and up until today it continues to guide physicians on individualized treatment regimes. All classical references of Tibb an-Nabawi attribute the onset of illnesses to the disturbance or imbalance of one’s temperament. This paper aims to shed light on the concept of temperament as explained in the classical texts of Tibb an-Nabawi and Unani-Tibb and its practical application for health promotion and disease prevention.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(4) 2017 p.487-495

The Role of Tibb in Integrative Medicine for Diseases of Lifestyle

Integrative Medicine combines the concepts, values and practices of complementary and alternative medicine with conventional medicine in the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of disease. Integrative Medicine is concerned with preventing disease, health maintenance and healing, rather than merely eliminating symptoms. The person’s innate healing abilities are actively supported, and the importance of mind and spiritual nature are recognised. Integrative Medicine values the relationship between the healer and the patient to promote self-help and provides the appropriate education and motivation required for patient empowerment. The complementary arm of Integrative Medicine adopts specific therapeutic techniques such as massage, herbal medicine and aromatherapy, or medical paradigms such as Tibb, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, or Homeopathy. Tibb, also known as Unani-Tibb (Graeco-Arabic) medicine, is the historical forerunner of conventional medicine, so it is an attractive partner. Integrative Medicine has a major role in both treatment of acute ailments, mainly through the conventional arm of treatment, and long-term management of chronic disorders, mainly via the complementary arm. Integrative Medicine addresses the increasingly common disorders of lifestyle such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes 2, and depression.Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.16(1) 2017 p.13-20