Unani Medicine, also known as Yunani or Greco-Arabic medicine, is a holistic healing system with roots tracing back to ancient Greece, Persia, and India. Based on the teachings of Hippocrates and later refined by scholars like Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Unani emphasizes the balance of four humors—blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile—to maintain health.

This 2,500-year-old system operates on core principles like:

• Tabiyat (Body’s Self-Healing): The body’s innate ability to restore balance.
• Mizaj (Temperament): Personalized treatments based on individual constitution (hot/cold, dry/moist).
• Ilaj-bil-Tadbeer (Regimenal Therapy): Uses diet, exercise, cupping, and massage.
• Ilaj-bil-Dawa (Pharmacotherapy): Herbal formulations like Majoon, Syrups, and Kushtas.

Unani thrives in India, where it integrates with Ayurveda and local herbs. It effectively treats chronic conditions—respiratory disorders, arthritis, skin diseases, and sexual health—with minimal side effects. Key herbs like Amla, Zafran, and Asl-ul-Ussool are staples in remedies such as Asmacure Syrup (for cough) or Qurs-e-Gulnar (for digestion).
Recognized by the AYUSH Ministry, Unani appeals to modern seekers of natural, preventive, and evidence-based care. With growing global interest in traditional medicine, Unani stands out for its scientific rigor, affordability, and eco-friendly ethos.

What is Unani Medicine? A Beginner’s Guide

Unani medicine is a traditional healing system rooted in ancient Greek (Yunani) philosophy and developed extensively in the Arab and Indian worlds. It is based on the concept of balance — especially the balance of four bodily humors: blood (Dam), phlegm (Balgham), yellow bile (Safra), and black bile (Sauda). Health, according to Unani, is a state of equilibrium between these humors, and illness occurs when this balance is disturbed.
Unani medicine uses natural herbs, minerals, oils, and dietary practices to treat a wide range of healthy conditions. It also places strong emphasis on lifestyle management, including sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and mental wellbeing. Diagnosis often involves observing the pulse, tongue, and urine, and treatment may include herbal formulations (like majoon, sufuf, and roghan), cupping (hijama), massage, or detox methods.
In India, Unani is officially recognized by the Ministry of AYUSH and practiced by qualified Hakeems. It is particularly popular for treating chronic illnesses, hormonal imbalances, skin problems, digestive issues, and joint pain — using safe, time-tested remedies without harmful chemicals. Unani’s gentle, holistic approach continues to offer natural healing for modern health needs.

The Four Humors (Akhlat): Blood, Phlegm, Yellow Bile & Black Bile

In Unani medicine, the human body is believed to be governed by four essential fluids called “Akhlat” (Humors). Each humor has unique qualities and functions, and a balanced proportion among them ensures good health. Imbalance in any of these causes disease.

1. Dam (Blood) – Hot and Moist
   Blood represents vitality and nourishment. It governs strength, complexion, enthusiasm, and warmth. Too much blood may cause redness, inflammation, or high blood pressure, while too little can lead to fatigue or pallor.
2. Balgham (Phlegm) – Cold and Moist
   Phlegm controls lubrication and cooling in the body. It supports brain function and maintains calmness. Excess phlegm may lead to laziness, heaviness, cold, and digestive issues.
3. Safra (Yellow Bile) – Hot and Dry
   Yellow bile aids in digestion and metabolism. It energizes the body and sharpens mental clarity. Excess Safra can cause acidity, anger, fever, or skin problems.
4. Sauda (Black Bile) – Cold and Dry
   Black bile stabilizes body structure and supports concentration. It helps in bone health and deep thinking. Imbalance may cause anxiety, depression, constipation, or dryness.

Mizaj (Temperament): How Your Body Type Affects Your Health

In Unani medicine, Mizaj (Temperament) is the core concept that defines a person’s physical, mental, and emotional nature. It is determined by the balance of the four humors — blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile — and is considered unique to every individual. Just like fingerprints, no two temperaments are exactly alike.
There are four basic Mizaj types, each with distinct traits:

1. Damvi (Sanguine – Hot & Moist): Energetic, cheerful, warm-natured; often has a strong appetite and active metabolism.
2. Balghami (Phlegmatic – Cold & Moist): Calm, slow-moving, emotionally stable; may struggle with weight gain or sluggish digestion.
3. Safravi (Choleric – Hot & Dry): Ambitious, sharp, and intense; prone to irritability, acidity, and skin issues.
4. Saudavi (Melancholic – Cold & Dry): Thoughtful, reserved, and deep-thinking; may be prone to dryness, constipation, or mood swings.

How Unani Diagnoses Illness: Pulse Reading, Tongue, Urine, & Stool Analysis

Unani medicine relies on traditional, non-invasive diagnostic techniques to understand the root cause of illness. It focuses on the balance of the four humors and the patient’s Mizaj (temperament) to determine treatment. The major diagnostic methods include:

• Nabz (Pulse Reading):
  A Unani physician feels the pulse to assess the quality of blood, strength of the heart, and the overall temperament. The rate, rhythm, tension, and temperature of the pulse reveal the balance or imbalance of humors.
• Lisan (Tongue Examination):
  The tongue’s color, coating, moisture, and texture provide insights into digestive health, hydration, and internal heat or coldness. For example, a white coating may indicate excess phlegm.
• Bawl (Urine Analysis):
  Urine color, consistency, smell, and sediment are examined in a clear glass container. It helps identify organ function, inflammation, or humoral imbalance. Frothy urine might point to excess heat or bile.
• Baraz (Stool Analysis):
  The stool’s frequency, color, consistency, and smell indicate digestive performance and the state of the intestines. Watery or hard stool may reveal imbalances like excess heat or dryness.
  

These techniques are part of Unani’s holistic and individualized approach to diagnosis—deeply rooted in centuries of observation and clinical wisdom.

Unani vs. Ayurveda: Similarities & Differences

Unani and Ayurveda are two ancient systems of medicine with roots in holistic healing, but they originate from different cultures and philosophies.
Similarities:

• Holistic Approach: Both treat the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
• Use of Natural Remedies: Herbs, minerals, and natural formulations form the basis of treatments.
• Focus on Prevention: Emphasis on lifestyle, diet, and seasonal routines to maintain health.
• Personalized Treatment: Based on individual body types—Mizaj in Unani and Dosha in Ayurveda.

Differences:

Feature	Unani Medicine	Ayurveda
Origin	Greece (Hippocrates), developed in Persia & India	India (Vedic tradition)
Body Type Concept	Mizaj (4 types: Damvi, Balghami, etc.)	Dosha (3 types: Vata, Pitta, Kapha)
Core Theory	Balance of 4 humors (blood, phlegm, bile)	Balance of 3 doshas
Diagnostics	Pulse, urine, stool, and physical traits	Pulse (Nadi), tongue, and body constitution
Therapies	Regimenal therapy (Ilaj bil Tadbeer), diet, drugs	Panchakarma, diet, herbal therapies

In essence, both systems share a natural and preventive foundation, yet differ in philosophy, terminology, and methods. Understanding both can offer deeper insight into holistic wellness.