Overview

Unani medicine is an ancient system of medicine that combines principles of Greek and Ayurvedic medicine to diagnose and treat many different conditions.

"Unani" literally means "Greek." It includes concepts and practices from many people, including Hakim Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Hippocrates, Pythagoras, Aristotle, Galen, and Rhazes. It is practiced throughout Asia and especially in India. Treatments used in Unani medicine include various herbal combinations, meditation, cupping, bloodletting, and others.

Unani medicine uses a wide variety of methods to diagnose and treat many different medical conditions. The evidence supporting its use varies for each treatment and condition.

Unani medicine is not a recognized or licensed health profession in North America.



Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Unani Medicine overview.

Side Effects



Special Precautions and Warnings



Unani medicine is an ancient system of medicine that uses a variety of treatments including herbs, and specific combinations of herbal ingredients, meditation, cupping, and bloodletting. Some of these are safe while others may not be. See specific therapies for safety information.

Interactions

We currently have no information for Unani Medicine overview.

Dosing

Diagnosis in Unani medicine often relies on pulse diagnosis, as well as stool and urine analysis. Unani medicine uses theories which are very similar to traditional Greek medicine and Ayurveda. It incorporates the key elements, including air, earth, water, and fire and the four humors, including Dam, Balgham, Safra, and Sauda.

A practitioner of Unani medicine is called a hakim. Hakims believe that an imbalance in the elements or humors results in disease. Treatments, which often include various herbal combinations, as well as meditation, cupping, bloodletting, and other therapies, are aimed at rebalancing the elements and humors.
View References
Show More Show Less

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.