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if you are looking for affordable and effective medical treatment
Affordable, effective and largely non-intrusive, Unani medicine has takers all across this vast and diverse country. But this ancient and proven panacea for many ailments faces numerous challenges today, not the least of which is the absence of quality research and development.
Says Dr Shams Ul Afaq, former deputy adviser (Unani), Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health: 'No real research work is being done in the field of Unani medicine. The government is providing a lot of funds and assistance but nothing is being done except meeting, eating and cheating. Imitating allopathy is certainly no research.' In the name research, all that is being done is that old books are being reprinted, he laments.
There are other issues that are dogging this traditional system of medicine. Because of patently false publicity, the Unani system is often regarded as a treatment for only sexual disorders. Says Mohsin Dehlvi, managing director of Dehlvi Remedies, which manufactures Unani medicines: 'This image does exist. It is rather sad. Some people are indulging in this sort of propaganda in order to sell their drugs. The fact is that Unani is a wide-ranging medical system.'
But all is certainly not lost. Despite the lack of research and inadequate government support, Unani medicine remains the last word for many Indians seeking safe and inexpensive medical treatment. And it has a cure for a wide array of diseases. For instance, as Dehlvi points out, sugar-free Unani medicine is now available for diabetics. The Unani system enjoys wide acceptance in the subcontinent but has all but disappeared in the West, where it originated. It was Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) who laid the foundation of the Unani system of medicine. Unani is derived from the Greek word Ionian. Tibb means medicine. Hence, the Unani Tibb is a Greek system of medicine. It travelled from Greece to Egypt and then to Spain from there it reached Baghdad. In fact, Unani is a synthesis of Greek and Arab systems. The three most important aspects for diagnosis in Unani are nabz (pulse), examination of baul (urine) and baraz (stool).
Arab physicians introduced Unani in India. The system took firm roots and flourished from the 13th to the 17th centuries. It remained extremely popular among the Indian masses even after the fall of the Mughal empire. It, however, suffered a major setback during British rule because of neglet, but it survived the ravages of time largely due to the efforts of the Sharifi family of Delhi, the Azizi family of Lucknow and the Nizams of Hyderabad. Maseeh-ul-Mulk Hakim Ajmal Khan was a scion of the Sharifi family of physicians. He was renowned for miraculous cures. Hakim Ajmal Khan left behind two institutions of considerable promise 'Tibbia College and Jamia Millia Islamia. He vigorously advocated the cause of the Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. He did not regard Unani as a foreign system. In fact, he stressed that these two Indian systems, which had over the centuries served the people well, should continue to be patronised and aloowed to make progress without any hindrance.
Dr Aslam Javed, general secretary of Hakim Ajmal Khan Memorial Society, is optimistic about the future of Unani. Talking to TSI, he says, 'Unani medicine has had such a splendid past. At one point of time it was regarded as the only authentic way of treatment. The system is still as effective and relevant as ever.'
Dr Javed adds: 'Unani was the first rational way of treating any disease. Earlier, people believed that diseases were caused by evil spirits or black magic. So treatment was also black magic. But Greek physician Hippocrates dispelled this belief and talked about the scientific causes of diseases.'
Dr Javed stresses the need to globalise Unani. 'Even today Unani delivers perfect results. He adds, 'In the last two years, about 800 HIV+ cases have tested negative after Unani treatment. Laboratory reports have authenticated these claims. Unani provides 100% results in leucoderma cases as well.' He accepts that Unani takes a bit longer to work but its biggest plus point is that it does not have any side-effects.
Dr Abrar Ahmed, a physician at a nursing home, says, 'Very few BUMS graduates practise Unani medicine as their patients want instant cure. They forget that Unani offers effective treatment for most major ailments.' He points out that in the Unani system, diseases are treated through four distinct therapies. One is Ilaj Bil Tadbir (regimental therapy) which includes cupping, Exercise, steam bath, leeching and diathermy. The second is Ilaj Bil Ghiza (Dieto Therapy) in which the patient is treated through specific diets.
The third is Ilaj Bil Dawa (Pharmaco Therapy) and in this disease is treated by drugs of natural origin like herbs and others. The last is Ilaj Bil Yad (surgery). Though surgery is an integral part of Unani, the authorities have done little in this regard.'
Mohsin Dehlvi tells TSI: 'In the West, no one knows about Unani. These medicines are called herbal supplements. But the demand is growing and the production of Unani medicines is increasing by 15-20 per cent annually.'
Dr. Shams ul Afaq, however, told TSI 'There is no quality Unani medicine available in the market. Earlier, there was no mention of manufacturing or expiry dates on the Unani medicine and even the names of ingredients were not mentioned.' He says the situation is so bad that in Unani it is still being taught that atom cannot be divided though it is an established fact that it can be further divided.
Unani is a system that can work miracles. But a lot of sincere and concerted research work is needed otherwise the future of this traditional system would be very bleak, warns Dr Shams ul Afaq. He says that anybody who is suffering from piles, leucoderma or epilepsy then one should immediately contact a good hakim or Unani doctor because it is only this system that can deliver 100 per cent cure for these diseases. Mohsin Dehlvi
Managing Director, Dehlvi Remedies
Some people indulge in false propaganda in order to sell their drugs. Unani is a wide-ranging medical system and isn't meant only for sexual disorders.
Dr Aslam Javed
General Secretary, Hakim Ajmal Khan Memorial Society
Unani has had such a splendid past. At one point of time it was regarded as the only authentic way of treatment. This system of medicine is still as relevant and effective as ever.
Dr Abrar Ahmed
Physician who runs a Unani clinic of his own
Very few BUMS graduates go on to practise Unani because their patients want instant cure for their diseases. They forget that this system is effective for most ailments.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
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When foreign shores beckonif you are looking for affordable and effective medical treatment
Affordable, effective and largely non-intrusive, Unani medicine has takers all across this vast and diverse country. But this ancient and proven panacea for many ailments faces numerous challenges today, not the least of which is the absence of quality research and development.
Says Dr Shams Ul Afaq, former deputy adviser (Unani), Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health: 'No real research work is being done in the field of Unani medicine. The government is providing a lot of funds and assistance but nothing is being done except meeting, eating and cheating. Imitating allopathy is certainly no research.' In the name research, all that is being done is that old books are being reprinted, he laments.
There are other issues that are dogging this traditional system of medicine. Because of patently false publicity, the Unani system is often regarded as a treatment for only sexual disorders. Says Mohsin Dehlvi, managing director of Dehlvi Remedies, which manufactures Unani medicines: 'This image does exist. It is rather sad. Some people are indulging in this sort of propaganda in order to sell their drugs. The fact is that Unani is a wide-ranging medical system.'
But all is certainly not lost. Despite the lack of research and inadequate government support, Unani medicine remains the last word for many Indians seeking safe and inexpensive medical treatment. And it has a cure for a wide array of diseases. For instance, as Dehlvi points out, sugar-free Unani medicine is now available for diabetics. The Unani system enjoys wide acceptance in the subcontinent but has all but disappeared in the West, where it originated. It was Greek philosopher and physician Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) who laid the foundation of the Unani system of medicine. Unani is derived from the Greek word Ionian. Tibb means medicine. Hence, the Unani Tibb is a Greek system of medicine. It travelled from Greece to Egypt and then to Spain from there it reached Baghdad. In fact, Unani is a synthesis of Greek and Arab systems. The three most important aspects for diagnosis in Unani are nabz (pulse), examination of baul (urine) and baraz (stool).
Arab physicians introduced Unani in India. The system took firm roots and flourished from the 13th to the 17th centuries. It remained extremely popular among the Indian masses even after the fall of the Mughal empire. It, however, suffered a major setback during British rule because of neglet, but it survived the ravages of time largely due to the efforts of the Sharifi family of Delhi, the Azizi family of Lucknow and the Nizams of Hyderabad. Maseeh-ul-Mulk Hakim Ajmal Khan was a scion of the Sharifi family of physicians. He was renowned for miraculous cures. Hakim Ajmal Khan left behind two institutions of considerable promise 'Tibbia College and Jamia Millia Islamia. He vigorously advocated the cause of the Unani and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. He did not regard Unani as a foreign system. In fact, he stressed that these two Indian systems, which had over the centuries served the people well, should continue to be patronised and aloowed to make progress without any hindrance.
Dr Aslam Javed, general secretary of Hakim Ajmal Khan Memorial Society, is optimistic about the future of Unani. Talking to TSI, he says, 'Unani medicine has had such a splendid past. At one point of time it was regarded as the only authentic way of treatment. The system is still as effective and relevant as ever.'
Dr Javed adds: 'Unani was the first rational way of treating any disease. Earlier, people believed that diseases were caused by evil spirits or black magic. So treatment was also black magic. But Greek physician Hippocrates dispelled this belief and talked about the scientific causes of diseases.'
Dr Javed stresses the need to globalise Unani. 'Even today Unani delivers perfect results. He adds, 'In the last two years, about 800 HIV+ cases have tested negative after Unani treatment. Laboratory reports have authenticated these claims. Unani provides 100% results in leucoderma cases as well.' He accepts that Unani takes a bit longer to work but its biggest plus point is that it does not have any side-effects.
Dr Abrar Ahmed, a physician at a nursing home, says, 'Very few BUMS graduates practise Unani medicine as their patients want instant cure. They forget that Unani offers effective treatment for most major ailments.' He points out that in the Unani system, diseases are treated through four distinct therapies. One is Ilaj Bil Tadbir (regimental therapy) which includes cupping, Exercise, steam bath, leeching and diathermy. The second is Ilaj Bil Ghiza (Dieto Therapy) in which the patient is treated through specific diets.
The third is Ilaj Bil Dawa (Pharmaco Therapy) and in this disease is treated by drugs of natural origin like herbs and others. The last is Ilaj Bil Yad (surgery). Though surgery is an integral part of Unani, the authorities have done little in this regard.'
Mohsin Dehlvi tells TSI: 'In the West, no one knows about Unani. These medicines are called herbal supplements. But the demand is growing and the production of Unani medicines is increasing by 15-20 per cent annually.'
Dr. Shams ul Afaq, however, told TSI 'There is no quality Unani medicine available in the market. Earlier, there was no mention of manufacturing or expiry dates on the Unani medicine and even the names of ingredients were not mentioned.' He says the situation is so bad that in Unani it is still being taught that atom cannot be divided though it is an established fact that it can be further divided.
Unani is a system that can work miracles. But a lot of sincere and concerted research work is needed otherwise the future of this traditional system would be very bleak, warns Dr Shams ul Afaq. He says that anybody who is suffering from piles, leucoderma or epilepsy then one should immediately contact a good hakim or Unani doctor because it is only this system that can deliver 100 per cent cure for these diseases. Mohsin Dehlvi
Managing Director, Dehlvi Remedies
Some people indulge in false propaganda in order to sell their drugs. Unani is a wide-ranging medical system and isn't meant only for sexual disorders.
Dr Aslam Javed
General Secretary, Hakim Ajmal Khan Memorial Society
Unani has had such a splendid past. At one point of time it was regarded as the only authentic way of treatment. This system of medicine is still as relevant and effective as ever.
Dr Abrar Ahmed
Physician who runs a Unani clinic of his own
Very few BUMS graduates go on to practise Unani because their patients want instant cure for their diseases. They forget that this system is effective for most ailments.
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
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