About Unani medicine
A classical system of medicine that treats the whole person
Unani medicine is one of India’s recognised AYUSH systems. It looks at your temperament, diet and daily routine, not just the symptom.
Where it comes from
Over two thousand years of medical thought
Unani medicine grew from the teachings of Greek physicians, was developed by physicians of the Arab and Persian world, and has been practised and taught in India for centuries.
Greek foundations
Hippocrates and Galen described health as a balance of the body’s humours, the idea at the heart of Unani.
Ibn Sina’s Canon
The Persian physician Ibn Sina (Avicenna) brought this knowledge together in his Canon of Medicine.
Regulated in India today
Unani doctors complete the B.U.M.S. degree and are registered under the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine.
The core idea
Mizaj: your temperament
Unani describes four humours in the body. Their balance gives each person a temperament (Mizaj) that leans hot or cold, and moist or dry. Good health is a state of balance; when it is disturbed, illness can follow.
Dam
Blood · hot and moist
Balgham
Phlegm · cold and moist
Safra
Yellow bile · hot and dry
Sauda
Black bile · cold and dry
That is why a Unani doctor asks about your digestion, sleep, appetite, energy and habits, not just your main complaint.
Treatment
How a Unani doctor treats
Ilaj bil Tadbeer
Regimen and lifestyle
Changes to daily routine, sleep, exercise and activity that help restore balance.
Ilaj bil Ghiza
Diet
Food advice suited to your temperament and condition, including what to eat more of and what to avoid (Parhez).
Ilaj bil Dawa
Medicine
Classical and proprietary Unani medicines made mainly from herbs, minerals and other natural sources.
A fourth branch, Ilaj bil Yad (procedures), needs an in-person visit and is not offered online.
What happens in an online Unani consultation
- The doctor asks about your main concern, its history and any reports.
- They assess your temperament through questions about your body, habits and routine.
- You receive advice on diet and lifestyle, and Unani medicines where needed.
- If you need an examination, tests or urgent care, the doctor refers you for in-person care.
Using Unani with other treatment
Tell your doctor about every medicine you take, including allopathic medicines. Do not stop any medicine prescribed by another doctor without speaking to that doctor.
Like all medicine, Unani treatment works differently for different people, and results are not guaranteed. We never promise a cure.
Find out what suits your Mizaj
Book a free 15-minute consultation with a registered Unani doctor.
Not for emergencies. For chest pain, severe breathlessness, heavy bleeding or any emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital now.