Unani Medicine
Concept of Unani Medicine
Unani medicine is based on the ‘humoral theory’ (relating to four bodily fluids) with each humor leading to a specific temperament in a human being. The Unani system makes use of plants, minerals and animal products as curative agents to re-establish the person’s original humoral constitution. The humoral theory presupposes the presence of four humors-Dam (blood), Balgham (Phlegm), Safra (Yellow bile) and Sauda (black bile)- in the body. Treatment in the Unani System of Medicine is done mainly through diet control for simple diseases in the initial stages followed by the administration of single drug, failing which compound preparations may be administered.
Origin of Unani Medicine
Unan means Greece is where the Unani System of Medicine originated. Approximately in 460 BC, BOKHRATH ( Hippocrates) founded this system and hence is also called as the Father of Unani Medicine. Later it was developed by the Arab and popularized by the Muslim rulers invading the neighboring provinces and countries. This system is also called as Greco-Arab medicine, Lonian medicine, Arab medicine, Islamic medicine, Traditional medicine, oriental medicine etc for various known and unknown reasons. But still its one of the most widely accepted treatment of medicine for millions of people world wide. Unani medicine was introduced into India via Central Asian trade routes, sometime around the 10th century A.D .
Personality Requirements to be a Unani Doctor
- Sound knowledge of Urdu / Arabic is a must.(One can learn these languages even after joining the course. Many students do this if they donot know the languages).
- Be completely convinced about your practice & not be influenced by Allopathy.
- Understanding of Science & application of the concepts.
- Self confidence, Self motivation & willingness to work hard.
- Good communication & Interpersonal skills to handle patients.
- Be open to the new trends in other systems of medicine & ability to equally compete with others and come up with new methods in treatment i.e. Innovation.
- Patience & perseverance to realize the efforts done and the expected results.
Unani Education in which language ?
The Unani courses are offered in both Urdu & English medium. But knowledge of Urdu is a must since the Best of the Unani resource material as well the books of medicine are available in Urdu with only few translated to English Version. In North India, Hindi is the most used medium of Instruction along with Urdu.
Courses offered
- Diploma in Unani Pharma.
- Bachelors in Unani Pharma.
- Bachelor’s in Unani Medicine & Sciences (BUMS) 5 ½ years ( including 1 year Internship).
- MD – Unani Medicine – 3 years (including Internship).
Eligibility
For BUMS : Pass in 12th std / PUC (science) with atleast 50% in PCB.
For MD : Graduation (BUMS) plus 50% in the entrance exam. This varies from oneuniversity to another.
Post Graduate studies – MD Specializations
- Kulliyath-wa-Ilmul Amaz (Pathology).
- Tashreeh (Anatomy).
- Ilmul advia (Pharmacology).
- Hizam-e-Sehath (Social and preventive medicine).
- Qabla-wa-Amraz-e-Niswan (obeletircs/Gynaecology).
- Moalejat (general medicine).
- Jarahiyath (surgery).
- Munafe-ul-Aza (physiology).
- Amraz-e-Damagh-wa-Asab (neurology).
Post Graduate Diploma courses after Graduation
- Amraz-e-Uzn-Anf and halq (ENT).
- Amraz-Aur (opthamology) D.O (U).
- Amraz-Atfal (Paediatrics) O.C.M (U).
- Amraz-e-Zilad (Dermatology) D.D (U).
- Amraz-e-Qalb (Cardiology) D.C (U).
- Amraz-e-Muzasil-wa-Izam.
National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bangalore.
The National Institute of Unani Medicine is a Premier Institute which started its 1st batch of PG programs in the year 2004-2005. This Institute offers MD – Unani Medicine in Moalejat (General medicine), Ilmul advia (Pharmacology), Qabla-wa-Amraz-e-Niswan (Gynaecology) & Hizam-e-Sehath (Community Medicine). The admissions to the P.G course here are held every year through a common entrance test. The students are selected based on their Merit & performance in the entrance test. The entrance test is conducted by RGUHS – Bangalore.
Indicative list of Unani Colleges.
- National Institute of Unani Medicine, Kottigepalya, Magadi Road, Bangalore – 560091.
- Govt.Nizamia Tibbi College, Charminar, Hyderabad – 500002.
- Govt. Tibbi College,Kadam Kuan, Patna – 800003.
- Govt Unani Medical College, Basaveshwar Nagar, Magadi Road, Bangalore.
- Govt.Unani Medical College, Arumbakkam, Chennai – 600106.
- Govt. Takmil-Ut-Tib College & Hospital, Hkm Abdu Aziz Road, Jhawai Tola, Lucknow – 226003.
- Govt. Unani Medical College, Himmatganj, Allahabad – 211003.
- Ajmal Khan Tibbia College, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh-202002
- Nizamia Unani Medical College & Hospital, Mohalla choti Masjid, Bari Road, Gaya – 823001.
- Hamdard Tibbi College, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi -110062.
- and many more.
Job prospects
In India, Unani practitioners can practice as qualified doctors, as the Indian government approves their practice. A successful Unani Practitioner can start his / her practice immediately after completion of graduation. What needs to be focused on is practicing Unani Medicine than lured by Allopathy and becoming promoters of Allopathy. A competent Unani Physician can become
- A practicing doctor or consultant or instructor in hospitals, Institutes, natural cure enters, etc.
- Be a research fellow working with National & International organizations like WHO and contribute towards globalization of Unani.
- A Lecturer for Undergraduate students of BUMS.
- Private practice.
- Do extensive study in Unani Plants & remedies, get hands on practice and become a Health Columnist with Newspapers, Magazines, Books, etc.
(With Inputs from Dr. Amina Ather, PG Scholar, Dept of Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore).
Originally Written by Mr. Ameen-E-Mudassar for the Milli Gazette, Dated On 1 May 2006.
