Unani system of medicine is one of the oldest
system of medicine in the world it is still popular & practiced
in Indian sub continent & other parts of the world.
The scientists and experts of different countries have contributed
in development of Unani system in different periods as under.
The development of Unani Medicine can be divided into following
periods
During the Greek Period
Unani medicine was originated in Greece and its founder was great
philospher & Physician ,Hippocrates ( Buqrat 460-377 BC).He
was the first Unani Physician who opened the education of Medicine
to all communities, so he is known as the father of medicine in
Allopathic also because modern medical science was developed on
the foundation of Hippocratic philosophy of health and disease.
Before Hippocrates it was restricted to the Aesclabius family only.
After Buqrat, Galen(Jalinoos130-201 BC) contributed a lot to the
Unani Medicine. Aristotle (Arastoo384-322 BC) laid down foundation
of Anatomy & physiology.
Dioscorides was the famous physician in the Ist Century AD. He was
famous for his book on Ilmuladviya(Pharmacology) named as Kitabulhashayash.
During the Arabic-Persian Era
(a) In Egyptian period the pharmacy was very much developed and
they prepared the medicine in different dosage forms like alcohol,
oils, powder and ointment etc.
(b) Persia encouraged and developed physicians and philosophers
by the Iranian .They further developed this medicine into a complete
science and it got deep roots in the masses. Eminent Physician of
this period are:-
1. Ibne Raban Tabari (810-895AD) was famous physician and wrote
a book Firdous ul Hikmat and introduced concept of official formulary,
2. Abu Bakar Zarakariya Razi or Rhazes (865-925 AD) etc. He wrote
the book "Alhawi fit tibb". He was first scholar who described
the concept of Acquired Immunity by his experiments in the article
"Maqala fi Judri wa Hasba".
(c) The Islamic rulers of the Arabian countries further developed
and adopted the Unani Medicine at government level and here at first
they recognised the importance of the official formulary (Qarabadeen).
They made many additions /deletions on the basis of their experiments,
advance knowledge of Medicine in Greek and Persian literature. They
developed the chemistry, pharmacy and pharmaceutical procedures.
In this period they invented the process of distillation, sublimation,
calcination and fermentation to promote the efficacy of the medicine
and to remove the impurities and toxic effects of the drugs.
1. Jabir bin Hayyan(717-813AD) who was settled in the Arab as Royal
physician was a famous physician and Chemist. He was the first who
had described Chemistry.
2. The very eminent scholar of this period was Bu Ali Sina ( Avicenna
980-1037AD)
He was the great philosopher, physician of the Arab.
He gave a final shape to the Unani medicine & redefined many
concepts based on his clinical experiences. His book Alqanoon or
(The canon of medicine) was an internationally accepted book on
medicine, which was taught in European countries till the 17th century.
During the Spanish Period
The Arabs have introduced Unani medicine in the Spain in the patronage
of Spanish Ruler, many scholars contributed a lot to Unani Medicine
for instance 1. Abul Qasim Zohravi ( Abulcasus 946 -1036AD) was
the famous surgeon was attached to Royal Hospital of Cordoba. He
wrote a famous book on surgery "Al Tasreef"
2. Ibn-e-Haisham (965-1039AD)was a renowned scientist and Unani physician
from Syria laid down the foundation of optics in his famous book"Kitabul
Manazir"
3. Ibn-e-Zohar ( Avenzor1091-1162AD) was a renowned physician and
Scholar. He was known for his famous book "Kitabul Tasreef".
4. Ibn Rushd (1126-1198AD) was famous for his book on Basic Principals
of Unani Medicine known as Kitabul Kulliyat
5. Ibne Baitar (1197-1248AD) was Pharmacognosist and Botanist. His
famous book on extensive survey and experiments on Single Drugs
of Plant origin Kitabul jameul Mufradat. Was widely acclaimed.
6. Ibn-e-Nafees
(1210-1288 AD) was the first scientist who described the blood pulmonary
circulation and prescribed anatomy as a separate chapters.
Present Indian Context
Unani medicine in India
was introduced in 1351 AD by Arabs. The first known Hakim was Zia
Mohd Masood Rasheed zangi. Unani Medicine soon got acceptance by
the masses due to its efficacy and nontoxicity of the drugs. Following
eminent scholars of that period are:
1. Akbar. Mohd. Akbar Arzani (1721 AD death.). He was known for
his book Qarabadin Qadri and Tibbe Akbar,based on his own lifelong
clinical experience.
2. Hakim M. Shareef Khan (1725-1807) A famous Hakim of Delhi in Mughal
Period. He was famous for his book Ilaj ul Amraz.
3. Hakim Ajmal Khan (1864-1927) Hkm Ajmal Khan. was renowned Hakim,scientist,politician
and freedom fighter and a great patriot. He has established Unani
and Ayurvedic College at Karol Bagh Delhi. He is remembered as Masihul
Mulk Hkm Ajmal Khan.He was the first person who opened the door
of research in Indian Systems of medicine and under his supervision
Asarol (Rauwolfia serpentina) was analysed and isolated various
alkaloids i.e. Ajmaloon, Reserpine etc and most effective drug for
Hypertension was introduced in world.
4. Hakim kabeeruddin (April 1894-9th January 1976) was very dedicated
scholar of Unani Medicine . He was translated 88 Unani books of
Arabic and Persian languages into Urdu. Which was the greatest achievement.
Due to this achievements today, the Unani colleges in India are
in existence. The first institution of Unani medicine was established
in 1872 as Oriental College at Lahore. Thereafter many institution
came into existence.
Post independence India period
After independence
Govt. of India at first constituted Unani pharmacopoeia Committee
in 1964.,consisting of Unani experts and scientist with a view to
maintain uniformity in the standards of drugs and to prescribe standards
for compound formulations. And also to prescribe tests for identity,
purity, efficacy and quality of the drugs. Pharmacopoeia Laboratory
of Indian Medicine at Ghaziabad was established under Govt. of India
to workout standards and drug testing for Indian System of Medicine
at national level.
Govt. of India has also established Central Council of Indian Medicine
,an statutory body,for laying down standards and maintaining uniform
standard of education in the Indian System of Medicine including
Unani and to regulate the practices in Indian System of Medicine.
In order to develop high standards of education and research in
Unani Medicine at national level a National Institute of Unani Medicine
has been established at Bangalore in 1983 in collaboration with
the Govt. of Karnataka which provided 55 acres of land for the Institute.
In addition to these developments Central Council for Research in
Indian Medicine was established in 1969.During 1978 these these
Council were bifurcated into separate Central Councils as such Central
Council for Research in Unani Medicine was established in 1979,
with a view to initiate ,guide, aid, develop, coordinate scientific
research in different aspects of fundamental and applied Unani
System of Medicine.
In the combined Council Hk. A. Razzaque was the Head of the Unani
Council. He was the expert and educationist who has established
different wings of the present council all over India. As such there
are 11 Regional Research Institutes, 7 Clinical Research Units,
one Literary Research Units, 2 Survey and Cultivation of Medicinal
Plants Unit, 7 Drug Standardisation Research Unit.
For Detailed Dossier on
Unani Medicine, please write to us at
mktg@mediescapes.com
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