Wellness Blog

Almost every Pakistani family has a story about a Hakeem. A grandfather who swore by the Hakeem sahib in the old city, a nani who kept khamira and itrifal in the kitchen cupboard, a desi nuskha for nazla-zukam that somehow always worked. All of this comes from one of the oldest organised systems of medicine in the world: Tibb-e-Unani, also called Unani medicine, Unani Tib or simply hikmat.

But what exactly is it? Where did it come from? Is "Unani" the same as "herbal" or "natural"? And does it still have a place next to modern medicine? This guide answers all of it in simple words.

1. What Does "Unani" Mean?

"Unani" comes from Yunan, the Arabic and Persian name for Greece (from Ionia). Tibb is the Arabic word for medicine. So Tibb-e-Unani literally means "Greek medicine". The name honours its Greek roots, even though most of its growth happened in Baghdad, Persia, Central Asia and India.

2. History: How Old Is Tibb-e-Unani?

Tibb-e-Unani is roughly 2,500 years old. Its story moves across three continents:

So when someone in Pakistan visits a Hakeem today, they are drawing on knowledge that passed through Greek, Arab, Persian, Central Asian and South Asian hands.

3. The Core Principles of Unani Medicine

Arkan (the four elements)

Classical Unani describes everything as made of four elements: fire, air, water and earth, each with its own qualities of hot, cold, wet and dry.

Mizaj (temperament)

Every person, food and herb has a temperament: hot or cold, wet or dry. Some people are naturally "garam mizaj", others "thanda mizaj". A Hakeem looks at your temperament before advising food or medicine. This is where the everyday Pakistani idea of "yeh cheez garam hai" comes from.

Akhlat (the four humours)

Health is described as a balance of these humours. Illness is seen as an imbalance in their quantity or quality.

Tabiyat (the body's healing power)

Unani believes the body has its own power to heal, called tabiyat or quwwat-e-mudabbira-e-badan. The physician's job is to support it, not replace it.

Asbab-e-Sitta Zarooriya (the six essentials of health)

1. Air (hawa)
2. Food and drink (makool-o-mashroob)
3. Movement and rest (harkat-o-sukoon-e-badani)
4. Mental activity and rest (harkat-o-sukoon-e-nafsani)
5. Sleep and wakefulness (naum-o-yaqza)
6. Retention and elimination (ihtibas-o-istifragh)

It is striking how closely this list matches modern public-health advice: clean air, a good diet, exercise, mental health, sleep and healthy digestion.

4. How Tibb-e-Unani Treats Illness

Unani follows a clear order, starting with the gentlest method:

Ibn Sina advised that if a condition can be corrected with regimen and diet, medicine should not be used. Read more about one regimen therapy in our article on hijama therapy.

5. Unani Herbal Medicines

Unani pharmacy uses two broad kinds of medicine:

• Mufradat: single herbs, such as kalonji, saunf, adrak or isabgol
• Murakkabat: compound formulas that combine many ingredients so they balance each other

Common Unani dosage forms

Herbs every Pakistani kitchen already knows

• Kalonji (black seed): highly valued in Unani and Prophetic medicine. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Use this black seed regularly, for it has a cure for every disease except death." (Sahih Bukhari 5688)
• Shehad (honey): praised in the Quran (Surah An-Nahl 16:69) and used as the base of many majoons
• Saunf, ajwain, zeera: classic digestive herbs
• Adrak and haldi: warming herbs used for digestion, joints and colds
• Isabgol: a gentle fibre widely used for constipation
• Asgandh and Musli: traditional strength tonics; see Benefits of ashwagandha

6. Unani vs Herbal vs Natural: What Is the Difference?

These words are often used as if they mean the same thing, but they do not.

So every Unani medicine is "natural" in origin, most are "herbal", but not every herbal or natural product follows Unani principles. For a broader introduction to plant-based medicine, see What is herbal medicine?

7. What Modern Science Says

The World Health Organization notes that 170 of its Member States report the use of traditional medicine, and it has set up a Global Traditional Medicine Centre to bring more scientific research to these systems.

Modern research on individual Unani herbs is growing. Some, such as ashwagandha and ginger, have encouraging human trials, while others are supported mainly by laboratory studies or traditional use. We explain this honestly, herb by herb, in two articles:

• Sperm Plus Tablets: old Unani texts vs modern research
• Fertivance: the science behind its key herbs

The fair conclusion is this: Unani's lifestyle principles match modern advice very well, and many of its herbs are worth studying. But the theory of humours is a traditional framework, not modern biology, and herbal medicines should be used alongside, not instead of, proper diagnosis.

8. Using Unani and Herbal Medicine Safely

• Natural does not always mean safe. Herbs are active substances and can have side effects or interact with medicines for blood pressure, diabetes, blood thinning or thyroid.
• See a registered practitioner. In Pakistan, qualified tabeebs are registered with the National Council for Tibb.
• Avoid unknown products. Be careful with roadside tonics, "instant" cures and products without an ingredient list or address. Read how to spot fake herbal products.
• Do not stop prescribed medicines on your own in favour of herbs.
• Tell both doctors. Let your doctor know about herbal products, and your Hakeem about your medicines.
• Emergencies need a hospital. Chest pain, high fever, severe bleeding or breathing difficulty need urgent medical care.

Unani Care at Well Life

At Well Life we try to honour both sides: the 1,000-year-old wisdom of Unani and the honesty of modern science. Our products list their ingredients clearly and are presented as nutritional support, not miracle cures.

Browse the full range at Well Life Store. Free delivery and cash on delivery across Pakistan.

Aksar Pooche Jane Wale Sawal (FAQ)