CANCER THERAPIES IN UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE: A RAY OF HOPE TO MILLIONS OF SUFFERERS
Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir*, Sumera Mahfooz, G. Sofi and Mazhar Hussain
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Cancer is a current global health problem. The world’s oldest documented case of cancer hails from ancient Egypt in 1500 BC; Hippocrates was the first to used the Greek words, 'Carcinos' and carcinoma to describe tumors, from which the name “Karkinos” is assigned to cancers. Since, etiopathogenesis of cancer is a varied phenomenon; its treatment has remained far from adequate. The present study attempted to put forward the measures regarding cancer treatment which has been mentioned in Unani literature. Methodology: From the literature survey, the key elements that were documented in Unani System of Medicine were evaluated for validating the use of Unani drugs in the treatment of cancer along with
the specific dietary regimens. Result: According to Unani literature cancer is an end stage of degeneration of metabolic efficiency of body which results in extinguishing of the innate heat. It occurs primarily by incorrect diet and imbalances of four humours particularly the black bile. Ibn Sina (Avicenna), Al Razi (Rhazes), Galen and Al-Zahrawi described most of the cancers in their books and suggested several principles of treatment and prevention for cancers. The renowned Unani (Greco Arab) scholars believed that the cancer occurs as a result of burned black bile in the affected tissues. Therefore, they recommended evacuation of black bile from the organ by melanogogue or cathartic drugs along with some dietary regimes. Conclusion: The focus of this paper is to explain the anticancer therapies used by Unani (Greco Arab) system of medicine. Furthermore, herbal remedies and dietary modifications are to be high lightened. Many advances in cancer treatment came from the Unani System of Medicine. To prevent side effects and complications, Unani medicine can be used as an adjuvant along with conventional chemotherapy so that it will become the real hope to millions of cancer sufferers.
Keywords: Cancer, black bile, Herbal Medicine, Sartan, Unani medicine.
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