ABSTRACT
Hypothyroidism (Qillat-e-Ifraz-e-Darqiyya) is a condition where the thyroid gland is underactive and unable to produce enough thyroid hormone. The description of hypothyroidism as a disease is not directly found in Unani texts. However, the signs and symptom of hypothyroidism resemble the clinical manifestation associated with Su-e-Mizaj Barid Maddi (derangement in cold temperament), such as plethora (Imtila), excessive salivation (Kasrat-e-Luabe-e-Dahan), tiredness (Aa'yan), loss of appetite (Zoaf-e-Ishteha), excessive sleeping (Kasrat-e-Naum) and cold skin (Baroodat-e-Jildia). These signs and symptoms are the result of an excess in abnormal phlegm (Ghair Tabayi Balgham) in the body. This review article identifies the observations from Unani literature that describe derangement in cold temperament and relate them to the clinical presentation of primary hypothyroidism in conventional medicine. We also discuss management of these symptoms in Unani medicine.
ABSTRACT
Malankholia [melancholia] is defined as a disorder in which the mental functions are deranged and the afflicted person is more prone toward constant grief, fear, and dubious aggression, and the ability to analyze and interpret things is grossly affected, as enunciated by Jalinus [Galen] and quoted by Zakaria Razi [850-923 AD] in his world-renowned treatise "Kitab Al-Havi." The term melancholia literally means "black humor," which is the predominant causative factor. Mental ill-health is one of the most disturbing and disabling disorders of life. It affects not only the concerned person but also his/ her family and the society as a whole with social stigma attached to it. The problem is steadily on the rise due to factors such as urbanization, industrialization, and increase in lifespan, together with the breakup of the joint family system, with implication of multiple genes augmenting the psychiatric disorders. The prevalence of psychiatric illness is almost the same globally, about 8-10 per 1000 population. Unani, an age-old traditional system of medicine, has described in its classical text not only the concept of this disorder but also its management with various modes of treatment, which if pursued will mitigate the suffering of humanity to a great extent. The present review manuscript is an attempt to highlight the available literature from the Unani perspective
ABSTRACT
To explain the origin and continuation of life, Scholars of Unani [Greco-Arab] System of Medicine proposed the theory of Al-Arkan/Arkan or Anasir [element] [wrongly interpreted and correlated with modern Elemental theory]. This theory was being criticized mostly for its contents in present scenario. But critics hardly think of the spirit of theory. They simply criticized its wording without context and relation in which it was proposed. The very first word which drawn maximum attention was "simplest" in this theory and we always put it for matter while it is for status. This word was supplied for elementary participation of the Arkan in origin and continuation of life.