Unani-Tibb: An Introduction to Traditional Islamic Medicine
‘Tibb’ comes from the root meaning in medicine from Arabic, and dates from the early Islamic period (750-1000 CE). ‘Unani’ means Greek, and Unani Tibb refers to the tradition in South Asia.
The tradition is based on earlier Greek medicine and was developed within the Islamic Empire by Muslim, Christian and Jewish scholars. They were supported by Muslim rulers keen to develop medical and scientific knowledge.
This led to a large-scale translation movement converting texts into Arabic. It also generated enormous amounts of new medical knowledge, collected in encyclopedias by scholars such as Ibn Sina. These were translated from Arabic into Latin and became the basis of European medical teaching for many centuries.
Tibb is based on the Greek concept of humors in which the mixture of humors contributes to an individual’s temperament.
The Hakim, or doctor, keeps the individual’s temperament internally balanced and in harmony with the environment. Practitioners use the gentlest treatments possible to restore balance. They often advise changes in lifestyle, diet, and exercise.
The progressive Muslim occupation of India from the 11th century brought new medical knowledge. Muslims’ growing influence in South Asia over the centuries saw Tibb expand too. Tibb eventually became Unani Tibb, or Greek medicine, throughout the region. It developed as a tradition and shared materia medica ideas with Ayurveda.
Dr. Shahid Bukhari is a graduate of Tibb Traditional Medicine and Herbalism, who initially started his practice in London but then moved to Manchester opening his successful business in the North West of England. Dr. Bukhari is a Master Iridologist and studied at the Holistic Health College with Peter and Angela Bradbury.
In this seminar, Dr. Shahid will explain:
• What is Unani Medicine?
• The approach Unani-Tibb Medicine takes to help heal patients
compared to that of modern medicine
• The concept of hot, cold, dry, wet and how that can affect our
long-term health
• Unani treatment through diet, exercise, and hijama (cupping)
• An introduction to healthier living and small changes we can
make to have a greater impact on our well-being through nutrition External Event Url
4 W 43rd St, Ste 416, New York, NY, United States
