Holistic Approach in Unani System of Medicine with Respect to Physis, Humours and Six Essential Factors

Abstract:- The Unani system of medicine originated in ancient Greece at 5th and 4th century B.C. under the patronage of Hippocrates. This system was then developed in Arab and Persian lands. Its fundamental framework is based on the deep philosophical insights and scientific principles. This system of medicine is basically holistic in nature and offers preventive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare which takes whole personality approach towards disease. The real cause of disease is disturbance in the natural body humours. The imbalance in the quality and quantity of these humours leads to disease whereas restoration of this balance maintains the health of a person. In the holistic belief system, illness and injury are often the result of disharmony in the mind­ body­ spirit. The disharmony can often come from a dysfunction in any one of these areas. This system offers treatment of disease related to all system is based on Hippocratic theory of four humours that is Blood (Dam), Phlegm (Balgham), Yellow bile (safra) and Black bile (sauda) and also the four qualities of state of living human body like Hot, Cold, Moist and Dry .They are represented as Earth, Water, Fire and Air . The Greek believes were put by Arabic physician as seven principles and included Elements (Arkan), Temperament (Mizaj), Humours (Akhlat), Organs (Aza), Pneuma (Arwah), Faculties (Quwa), Functions (Af’al). In this method, it is believed that these principles are responsible for the body foundations and its health as well as disease condition. In this review paper we will try to explain about strengths of Unani system of medicine and its holistic approach with respect to Tabi’at, Humours and Six Essential Factors in different diseases.