Abstract

CONCEPT AND MANAGEMENT OF INSOMNIA (SAHAR) IN UNANI MEDICINE

Abdul Nasir* and Gazala Fatma

ABSTRACT

Insomnia is Latin word insomnis which is composed of “in” means “not” and “somnus” means “sleep” which means no sleep. Insomnia (sahar) is a common problem throughout the world, and is characterized by difficulty in initiating or maintaining sleep or non-restorative sleep, associated with significant morbidity. Sahar is an Arabic word means sleeplessness or awakening. The concept of Sahar (insomnia) is primarily noticeable as a result of the imbalance in the temperament of brain (due to hot and dry temperament) and secondarily due to some other medical disorders. The description of insomnia in classical literature of Unani medicine is available as name of sahar. In Unani system of medicine, mizaj (temperament) of an individual act as an imperative risk factor for various disorders including insomnia. Most of the unani physicians have emphasized the Su-e-Mizaj Yabis Sada (abnormal simple hot dry temperament) Su-e -Mizaj Haar Yabis Sada (abnormal simple hot dry temperament), Safra wa Sauda Ghair Tabaee (Abnormal yellow and black bile), Balgham Shor (Abnormal phlegm bile) as causative factors for sahar (insomnia). Lightness in head and sensation, dryness of eyes, tongue and nostril, feeling of hotness, burning sensation in head, thirst are the common symptoms of sahar (insomnia) have been described in unani medicine. Unani scholars has also emphasized the usool-e-ilaj (principle of treatment) in sahar (insomnia) are tanqiya-e-safra wa sauda-e-ghair tabaee (evacuation of abnormal yellow black bile), tanqiya-e-balgham-e-shor (evacuation of morbid phlegm), tarteeb Badan (Genesis of ratoobat or fluids in the body), Islahe Hazm (correct the digestion) and Correction of dryness of brain through: Ilaj Bil Dawa (pharmacotherapy), Ilaj Bil Ghiza (diet therapy), Ilaj Bil Tadabeer (regimental therapy). In this review paper we aims to define sahar (insomnia) in all aspects through unani medicine.

Keywords: Insomnia, Sahar, Dryness of brain.