Difference between ayurveda and unani medicine

Introduction:

Ayurveda and Unani are forms of alternative medicine several thousand years old. Ayurvedic and Unani medicines have proved to be of great benefit in musculoskeletal disorders, skin diseases, respiratory disorders and many other such complaints where allopathic medicines have failed to give results. These systems of medicine are now being used by health practitioners all over the world.

Difference in concepts:

Ayurveda is a Hindu traditional medicine native to India founded more than 3000 years back. In the beginning, it was passed on to different generations through sages after which proper documentation in books was done. Ayurveda follows the approach of 5 elements that this universe is composed of namely air (vayu), water (jal), fire (agni), earth (prithvi), and ether (akash). These 5 elements are represented in the human body as doshas which are called vata, pitta and kapha. The Ayurvedic system of medicine believes that each individual possesses a unique combination of these doshas which defines the temperament and mental makeup. An imbalance in these 5 elements in turn causes an imbalance in these doshas which gives rise to diseases. An Ayurvedic doctor (vaidya) uses 8 different ways of diagnosis. These are nadi (pulse), mala (stool), mootra (urine), jivnha (tongue), shabd (speech), druk (vision), sparsh (touch), aakruti (appearance).

Unani, also an ancient system of medicine, founded on the teachings of Hippocrates with contributions from Greek philosophers Galen and Razes, extensively practiced in the Middle East and South Asian countries. It was developed into an elaborate system of medicine in the middle age era by the Arabs and the Persians. Unani emphasizes on the role of key elements air, earth, fire and water in constituting health in the human body. The presence of 4 humors in the body in a state of equilibrium preserves health. The 4 humors are blood (dam), phlegm (balgham), yellow bile (safra), and black bile (sauda).  The diagnosis is done chiefly by checking the pulse (nabz) or with the help of appearance and other details of the history like sleep, diet, mental makeup etc.

Difference in mode of treatment:

The Ayurvedic medicines aim at strengthening the capacity of the body to fight diseases. The medicines used for this purpose are made from herbs, minerals, and metals. The treatment also includes massages, special diets and cleansing techniques. Ayurveda also uses the panchkarma therapy as a part of its treatment which involves purification through 5 processes of vomiting, purgation, enema, elimination through nose, and blood detoxification.

Unani medicines are made from natural substances like plant products. This system of medicine uses regimental therapy which includes processes that are believed to eliminate toxic agents and cause cleansing of the system through sweating, turkish bath, massage, purging, vomiting, exercise, leeching etc. Unani medicine also gives great importance to special diets by regulating the quality and quantity of food.

Summary:

Ayurveda and Unani medicines are age old systems of medicines used by a lot of people all over the world. These systems are based on the concept that the body constitutes of the 5 basic elements air, water, fire, earth and ether and an imbalance in these causes diseases. In the Ayurvedic system of medicine,  diagnosis is based on examination of 8 different aspects of the body. The Unani system of medicine chiefly uses the pulse and appearance for diagnosis. Both of these systems of medicine also believe in cleansing and purification through various processes and use of medicines made from natural substances.

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