A Comprehensive Overview of the Unani System of Medicine: Historical Roots, Development, and Contemporary Scientific Perspectives

Abstract

This article discusses the inception, growth, and background of traditional medicine. For thousands of years, medicine has advanced human civilization. With a 10,000-year history rooted in Mesopotamia, ancient Egypt, and Babylonian culture, Unani Medicine has brought a holistic approach to health by emphasizing the intricacy of the human body and its parts. This method provides a more comprehensive view of illness treatment, encompassing dietary therapy, herbal medicine, preventative health, and direct physical intervention. This manuscript focuses on diagnostic and therapeutic principles in Unani medicine, such as Mizāj, (temperament), Akhlāṭ (humors), and Asbāb-e-Sitta Ẓarūriyya (six essential factors), and ṭabīʿah in comparison with emerging biomedical concepts. Recent scientific evaluations of Unani formulations and pharmacological evidence supporting their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory actions are summarized. By bridging the classical literature with the modern research, this study highlights the relevance of Unani medicine in the integrative healthcare system. This review is based on an extensive analysis of traditional medicine texts and modern research studies, incorporating classical Unani texts alongside recent research articles and government reports accessed via major databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science.