Unani / Islamic Medicine
A Greco-Arabic tradition preserving and expanding the works of Hippocrates and Galen through Islamic scholarship.
Middle East & Central Asia
History & Philosophy
Origins
Unani (meaning 'Greek' in Arabic) medicine descends directly from Hippocratic and Galenic humoral theory, preserved, translated, and substantially expanded by Islamic scholars — most influentially Ibn Sina (Avicenna) and Al-Razi — between the 9th and 11th centuries.
Core philosophy
Like its Greek roots, Unani organizes health around the balance of four humors (blood, phlegm, yellow bile, black bile) and four temperaments, with treatment aimed at restoring humoral equilibrium through diet, herbs, and regimen specific to an individual's temperament.
Practiced today
Unani remains a government-recognized medical system in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, with dedicated colleges, hospitals, and formal licensure existing alongside — and sometimes integrated with — biomedical care.
Herbs, foods & remedies
96 herbs traditionally used within Unani / Islamic Medicine — most often for Digestive Issues, Respiratory Issues, Skin Health.
Ajwain (Nanakhwa)
Trachyspermum ammi
Alexandrian Senna
Senna alexandrina
Alkanet (Ratanj)
Alkanna tinctoria
Aloe (Sabbar)
Aloe vera
Anise (Yansoon)
Pimpinella anisum
Asafoetida (Hilteet)
Ferula assa-foetida
Bitter Almond (Lawz Murr)
Prunus dulcis var. amara
Black Mustard (Khardal Aswad)
Brassica nigra
Black Seed (Habbatus Sauda)
Nigella sativa
Camphor (Kafoor)
Cinnamomum camphora
Caraway (Karawiya)
Carum carvi
Cardamom (Hail)
Elettaria cardamomum
Castor Oil (Kharwa)
Ricinus communis
Chamomile (Babunaj)
Matricaria chamomilla
Chicory (Hindaba)
Cichorium intybus
Cinnamon (Qirfa)
Cinnamomum verum
Clove (Qaranful)
Syzygium aromaticum
Coriander (Kuzbara)
Coriandrum sativum
Costus Root (Qust)
Saussurea lappa
Dates (Tamr)
Phoenix dactylifera
Dill (Shibith)
Anethum graveolens
Dodder (Aftimon)
Cuscuta epithymum
Dragon's Blood (Dam Akhawain)
Dracaena cinnabari
Elecampane (Rashan)
Inula helenium
Elecampane (Raziyanj Barri)
Inula helenium
Endive (Khaskhash)
Cichorium endivia
Fennel (Shibith)
Foeniculum vulgare
Fenugreek (Hulba)
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Fig (Teen)
Ficus carica
Fleawort (Bazr Qatuna)
Plantago psyllium
Foxglove (Digitalis)
Digitalis purpurea
Fumitory (Shahtaraj)
Fumaria officinalis
Galangal (Khulanjan)
Alpinia galanga
Galbanum (Qinna)
Ferula gummosa
Garlic (Thoom)
Allium sativum
Ginger (Zanjabeel)
Zingiber officinale
Grape (Inab)
Vitis vinifera
Harmal (Syrian Rue)
Peganum harmala
Harraz (Acacia)
Acacia nilotica
Henna (Hinna)
Lawsonia inermis
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