An appraisal of Unani fundamentals in the management of Humma (fever)

Abstract

The fever has been described in Unani System of Medicine in a very elaborative manner. Besides controlling raised body temperature, the management also comprises other measures to achieve holistic treatment. The basic modes of treatment viz. Ilaj bil Ghiza (dietotherapy), Ilaj bil Tadbeer (regimenal therapy) and Ilaj bil Dawa (pharmacotherapy) are taken into account as per the basic principles of treatment in Unani medicine. Use of cold water and other drinks (mashroob) reduces body temperature, while use of easily digestible and jayyadul kemoos diet like maul asl, ma’ul shaeer, kashak-us-shaeer, aash-e-jau etc. are given in small amounts, just to provide strength to tabiát and to avoid further increase in morbid matter. Various types of drug used to manage different kinds of fever are Dafe Humma, Muarriqat, Musaffiyat wa Muaddilat, Mubarridat wa Musakkinat, Mudirrat, Muqawwi Kabid and Mufarrehat. Keywords: Humma, Fever, Unani, Management, Basic Principles