What Is Herbal Medicine? A Guide to Unani and Herbal Healing
In short: Herbal medicine is the use of plants, roots, seeds and natural substances to support health. In Pakistan, the best-known system is Tibb-e-Unani, a tradition that began with Greek physicians, was developed by great Muslim scholars like Ibn Sina, and is still practised by hakeems today. Used wisely and safely, herbal products can complement modern healthcare.
A Short History of Unani Medicine
| Era | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Ancient Greece | Hippocrates and later Galen develop the theory of four humours |
| 9th to 11th century | Muslim physicians translate and expand Greek medicine. Al-Razi (Rhazes) writes major clinical works |
| 11th century | Ibn Sina (Avicenna) writes Al-Qanun fi'l-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine), used as a medical textbook in Europe and Asia for centuries |
| Mughal era to today | Unani flourishes in the subcontinent; hakeems and dawakhanas continue the tradition in Pakistan and India |
The word "Unani" comes from "Yunan", the Arabic and Persian name for Greece, honouring the tradition's origins.
Core Principles of Tibb-e-Unani
- Mizaj (temperament): every person has a unique balance of hot, cold, moist and dry qualities
- Akhlat (humours): blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile must stay in balance
- Tabiyat (the body's healing power): the physician's role is to support the body's own ability to restore balance
- Asbab-e-Sitta Zaruriya (six essentials): air, food and drink, movement and rest, sleep and wakefulness, emotions, and elimination
Ibn Sina's legacy: Ibn Sina emphasised that treatment should begin with ilaj bil tadbeer (lifestyle regulation) and ilaj bil ghiza (diet), turning to herbal medicines (ilaj bil dawa) when needed. This order, lifestyle first, is remarkably close to modern preventive medicine.
How Herbal Products Are Used Today
- Majoon: herbs in a honey or sugar base (e.g. Majoon E Shabab)
- Safoof: fine herbal powder (e.g. Fertivance)
- Tablets and capsules: convenient modern forms (e.g. Sperm Plus Tablets, ZOBRA)
- Oils and teas: for massage or daily wellness
Using Herbal Products Safely
- "Natural" does not always mean safe for everyone. Herbs can interact with medicines
- Tell your doctor about any herbal product you take, especially with diabetes, BP, heart disease or pregnancy
- Buy from brands that list ingredients, batch details and registration
- Avoid products promising "guaranteed" or "100%" cures
- Follow the recommended dose
Read: How to spot fake herbal products.
Where 1000 years of Unani wisdom meets modern science
Explore Well Life Store's herbal range, or meet our Hakeem at Well Life Herbal Clinic, Faisalabad.
Explore Well Life Store's herbal range, or meet our Hakeem at Well Life Herbal Clinic, Faisalabad.
Aksar Pooche Jane Wale Sawal (FAQ)
Tibb-e-Unani kya hai?
Unani tib ek qadeem tibbi nizaam hai jo Yunan se shuru hua aur Ibn Sina jaise Muslim hakeemon ne isay taraqqi di. Ye mizaj, ghiza aur jari bootiyon par mabni hai.
Kya herbal dawaiyan bilkul mehfooz hain?
Zyada tar sahi miqdar mein mehfooz hain, lekin kuch jari bootiyan dawaiyon ke saath asar kar sakti hain. Doctor ko zaroor batayein.
Asli herbal product kaise pehchanein?
Ajza ki list, registration, batch number aur company ka pata dekhein. "100% guaranteed" jaise daawon se hoshiyar rahein.
Note: Herbal supplements are not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified doctor for any health condition.
Sources: Ibn Sina, Al-Qanun fi'l-Tibb · WHO: Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine