Difference Between Ayurveda and Unani

When we fall sick, the last resort for us by taking medicines, many people opt for natural and herbal medicines to cure every form of the disease, as holistic medicines like Ayurvedic and Unani have no side effects. The more we go modern, the more we try to follow old-age concepts of living and medicine as the modern world brings problems due to sedentary lifestyles and global warming.  

Ayurveda and Unani medicines are conquering the world with their holistic approach to yoga, meditation, panchakarma, cupping, etc. Where Westerners find it a new way of living, we Indians know how these Naturopathies have been part of our lifestyle for ages. Ayurveda and Unani medicine is proven to greatly benefit skin diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory disorders, and many other issues where allopathic medicines have failed to provide satisfactory results.  

Though Ayurveda and Unani lie in the same pattern of natural medicine, there are different from each other in many ways. This article discusses how Ayurveda is different from Unani and what is the principle of each.   

Origin of Ayurveda  

The origin of Ayurveda dates back to the Vedic era. Ayurveda is a Hindu traditional medicine native to India that has been practised for at least 5,000 years. Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit word Ayur (life) and Veda (knowledge). Historians claim Ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda. However, Rig Veda, the earliest Veda, also mentions diseases and medicinal plants. Ayurveda has evolved over the years and is now blended with other traditional practices, including yoga.  

About 90 per cent of Indians use some form of Ayurvedic medicine in a lifetime. According to the Center for Spirituality and Healing of the University of Minnesota, this tradition has gained much popularity in the Western world over the years.  

Principle of Ayurveda  

Ayurveda means ‘science of life.’ In the beginning, it was passed to different generations through sages, after which proper documentation in the book was done. Instead of medicine, Ayurveda uses a sacred approach to recover from diseases. It uses natural practice based on the study of three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas determine an individual's personality by combining 5 elements in the human body. i.e., air, water, fire, earth, and ether. Ayurvedic doctors believe that an imbalance in these elements can result in doshas, which brings diseases.   

Different techniques, rules, diets, and herbs balance the three doshas to help us stay fit.   

Origin of Unani  

Unani medicine originated in Greece first and later spread to Middle-East and South Asian countries. It refers to a tradition of Graeco-Arab medicine based on the teachings of Greek physician and scholar Hippocrates and Roman physician Galen. Further, it was developed into a more elaborate medical system in the middle age by Arabian and Persian physicians Rhazes (al-Razi) and Avicenna (Ibn-e-Sina).   

Unani is a structure of medicine that promotes health and the prevention of diseases. Evolved in Greece almost 2500 years back, Unani medicine is herbal-animo-mineral. (Approximately 92% herbal, 3-5% animal, and 4-6 % mineral). It is not only the original science of medicine but also a rich storehouse of philosophies and principles that can be of immense value to medicine.  

Principle of Unani Medicine  

Unani medicine focuses on the role of key elements like fire, air, water, and earth. However, Unani physicians believe that maintaining equilibrium among the four humors, Amvi(sanguine), Balgami(phlegmatic), Safravi(yellow bile or bilious), Saudi(Black bile or melancholic) in the body helps to maintain a healthy human body. Unani System of Medicine believes every individual has their unique temperament according to their lifestyle, immoral constitution, and environmental factors. The interaction between four elements in the body produces various conditions which determine that individual's temperament (Mizaj). Any deviation from normal temperament leads to disease. The management of the disease depends upon the correction of altered temperament by using various regimens. In Unani online consultation, the patient is asked about his/her symptoms and then treated accordingly. 

How are Unani and Ayurveda different?  

1. Origin  

Ayurveda is a traditional Hindu medicine system, whereas Unani is an ancient medicine system based on the teachings of Hippocrates and Greek philosophers.    

2. Belief System   

According to Ayurveda, it is necessary to keep the balance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha in the body to be healthy. But in Unani, a balance between mizaj, blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile is necessary.   

3. Methods for Good Health  

Ayurveda strengthens the body's capacity and improves immunity through herbs and minerals in medicines. Unani uses medicines, drinks, dietary changes, and other methods to promote good health.   

4. Disease Diagnosis  

Ayurveda diagnoses the disease through pulse, tongue, stool, sight, speech, form, and touch. In Unani, the disease is diagnosed by checking the patient's pulse.    

5. Treatments  

In addition to medicine, Ayurveda also uses meditation, massages, panchakarma, a special diet, and cleaning techniques. At the same time, Unani medicine uses medicines normally made from plant products and complemented by methods like Turkish baths, sweating, massages, exercise, purification, etc.   

Conclusion  

Regardless of differences, both Ayurvedic and Unani medicines are safe and natural to cure diseases. In today's world, where allopathy focuses not on the root cause of the disease but only on cures symptoms, Ayurveda and Unani holistically treat the disease. Unani and Ayurvedic medicine systems are easily available, connect you with nature, and are safer than other medical systems. These medical systems are easily available, connect you with nature, and are safer than others.  

For online unani consultation, you can connect with some of the best experts at HealthyBazar. The Unani consults on the Healthy Bazar website to treat your disease and you with some effective time and tested methods.