UNANI MEDICINE

Unani is an ancient Greek medical system, which originated in Greece. It is also known as "hikmat" or Unani Tibb Medicine. The Unani medicine, which has been in the near future and practiced for almost 6000 years, is also based on the principles of the Hippocratic theory of the Four Humours - blood in human body, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Unani today is considered as close to Ayurveda medicine of India, because both of these medicines are based on the theory of 'the presence of elements' - fire, water, earth and air. Due to the popularity of Unani all over the country as one of the alternate medical systems, people in India have opted for building a career in such a field.

A number of colleges are imparting very much quality education in the field of Unani through undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Research work is also being done in this medical system. Unani (Unanipathy) is one of the oldest medical systems in the world which owes its origin to Greece. But later many other like Arab and Persian scholars enriched the system. Earlier known as 'Galenic', this system had became Unani (Arabic name for Greek) system of medicine or Unani-tibb, with the passage of time. This ancient medicine system which is of holistic and natural healing has been practiced for almost 6000 years and it came to India through the Arabs. Though it was practiced much widely in India during the Sultanate regime, the system suffered a serious setback during the colonial rule. After independence, it was again popularized in India by Hakim Ajmal Khan and Dr. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui. The theoretical structure of Unani medicine is usually based on the teachings of the Greek Scholar Hippocrates who based his theory on the four humors in the human body namely blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Each of this humor relates to a specific temperament in the human body. Balance of such humors is achieved through curative agents such as minerals, herbs and animal based drugs. At present the Unani system of medicine, with its own recognised practitioners, hospitals and educational and research institutions, forms an integral part of the Indian system of Medicine and India is one of the leading countries so far as its practice is concerned.

Unani medical system strongly believes in nature and its healing properties. Unani Medicine established that disease could be a natural process and that symptoms were the reactions of the body to the disease. According to the Unani system of medicine, a person can maintain proper health by conserving a balance in various life activities. Unani is very mucha holistic approach to healing. As a result, it mainly incorporates various therapies for healing not only the disease, but also focuses on the overall health condition of the patient. Unani system of medicine usually recognizes that the influence of surroundings and ecological conditions is usually there on the state of health of human beings.

The system has laid down six essential prerequisites for the prevention of diseases and places great emphasis, on the one hand, on the maintenance of proper ecological balance and, on the other, on keeping water, food and air free from pollution. In short, Unanipathy is one which aims at maintaining proper health by conserving symmetry in the different spheres of a man's life. Unani practitioners not only cures the bodily diseases but also act as ethical instructors. The diagnosis of diseases in Unani system of medicine is through examination of pulse, urine and stool. In Unani system of medicine various types of treatment are employed, such as Regimental therapy (llaj -bit- Tadbeer), Pharmacotherapy (llaj-bit-Dawa), Dietotherapy (llaj-bit-Ghiza) and surgery (Jarahat). Regimental Therapy mainly includes venesection, cupping, diaphoresis, diuresis, turkish bath, massage, cauterisation, purging, emesis, exercise and leeching. Dietotherapy - It deals with only certain ailments by administration of specific diets or by regulating the quantity and quality of food. Pharmacotherapy - It deals with use of naturally occurring drugs mostly herbal drugs of animal and mineral origin. Single drugs or their combination in raw form are preferred over compound formulations. Unanipathy has been showing remarkable results in curing diseases like Vitiligo, Eczema, Rheumatoid, Arthritis, Leucoderma, Psoroasis, Jaundice, Bronchial Asthma, Filariasis and several other acute and chronic diseases where other systems do not give the desired level of positive response. The Unani system is a secular system in character and is popular among the masses.




Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) is mainly the undergraduate level course offered by many medical colleges in India. Out of all the medical colleges in India, many are standalone Unani institutions, while other have included Unani medicine in their curriculum. The eligibility to pursue the course is, one must have passed Intermediate / Higher Secondary Certificate Examination or its equivalent with minimum 50% marks in aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, from any recognized Institute or University. Those who have studied Urdu as a language in their 10+2 examination are given preference.

Candidates seeking admission to a Bachelor course in Unani Medicine are required to pass their Intermediate / Senior School Certificate Examination (C.B.S.E.) / Indian School Certificate Examination (SC) including two or equivalent examination. Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) is the one which regulates the education of Unani in India. There are about 35 recognised colleges of Unani medicine in India. Candidates must pass the above exams with 50% and above marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology from a recognized institute to get admission to BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery). BUMS (Kamil-E-Tibb-O-Jarahat) is of 5 and half year duration including house surgency. Students can also pursue MD (Mahir-e-Tibb) and MS courses which is of three year duration, after getting a BUMS degree. Those who have studied Urdu as a language in their 10+2 examination are given preference. Medium of instruction is mostly in Urdu but English is also used. There are main training courses for compounders or pharmacists in Unani medicine.



One should have a leaning towards medicine and natural remedies for diseases. Unani practitioners must have empathy and compassion, must be hard working, dedicated, patient and above all, have a service mentality or zeal to cure the patients. He/she must be of positive attitude.



After pursuing course in the field of Unani medicine, one can work as Unani Hakim or pharmacist. One has the opportunity to join central Government or state Government dispensaries, Unani hospitals, health centers, private nursing homes, Unani pharmacies, research centers or can join teaching department at any Unani institute or practice Unani medicine as Unani physician or consultant.

Unani Medicine Some of the well known and prominent colleges in India that offer course in the field of Unani medicine are Ayurved Unani Tibbi College (Delhi), Jamia Hamdard University (Delhi), Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College (Aligarh), National Institute of Unani Medicine (Bangalore), Govt. Nizamia Tibbi College (Hyderabad), Dr. Abdul Haq Unani Medical College and Hospital (Andhra Pradesh), Govt. Tibbi College (Patna), Saifia Hamidia Unani Tibbia College and Hospital (Madhya Pradesh), The Calcutta Unani Medical College and Hospital.

Remuneration in Unani medicine largely depends upon the standard of the organizations and the person's experience in the field. Generally, in Unani medicine, one can earn anywhere between Rs 3,00,000 and 4,00,000 per annum.