The current podcast unravels Unani Medicine, an ancient and traditional system of medicine. Listen to Dr. Mohammed Zulkifle to understand what Unani is, its origins, its fascinating journey from Egypt to India several centuries ago and how it is now an established system of medicine under AYUSH.

Dr. Mohammed Zulkifle is Director-in-charge of National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bangalore.

[Nitesh Batra]: Hello and welcome to the new episode of the mindful initiative podcast.

Today we are very honored to have amongst us Dr. Mohammed, who is Director- In Charge of National Institute of Unani Medicine. Dr. Mohammed, welcome. Sir, can you please tell is something about yourself? Your background, your education and your journey thus far?

[Dr. Mohammed]: I am Dr. Mohammed Zulkifle- Director- In Charge of National Institute of Unani Medicine. I did my Under Grad from Aligarh and thereafter my PG in Basic Principles of Unani Medicine. I started teaching soon after and thereafter got into research. I first started teaching in Aligarh and then from Aligarh I went to Muzaffarnagar. Subsequently I came to Bangalore and joined this institute in 2005 and in 2012 I became a Prof in Basic Principle of Unani Medicine. I have been serving the institute since then. Our work primarily involves research and academics here.

[Nitesh Batra]: So, most of your studies happened in Aligarh and you have been here (NIUM) for the past 13 years. Can you please elaborate how NIUM is related to AYUSH and also explain a bit about AYUSH?

[Dr. Mohammed]: In the earlier days, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare existed. Subsequently, the Government realized that there is immense potential in our integrated system—be it Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy. When we were a part of the earlier set up (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare), the government wasn’t able to devote attention to us—these systems. That’s when the government decided to do away with the Ministry to propagate these systems. Thus, a new Ministry was formed and came into existence called AYUSH, that comprised Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH). For a while, this ministry remained under Health & Family Welfare. But last year, with the new government, this was formed into an independent Ministry with Shripad Yesso Naik as its Minister. Since then, this is an independent Ministry and these systems are getting propagated.

[Nitesh Batra]: I think it is very necessary in today’s times to have this focus and attention on these ancient sciences such as Ayurveda, Yoga & Unani. The formation of a Ministry for these sciences will help people in knowing about these sciences in greater depth and detail.

[Dr. Mohammed]: Look, people knew about these sciences—very few, limited section of people know about these sciences. Even today, very few people know about these sciences and even what work should be done around this isn’t really happening. But we hope that good work will start happening. E.g., Yoga Day has helped people in knowing about Yoga, and know we see Yoga Day being observed all over the world. So, in this manner, when a government takes up an initiative, it sure has an impact public awareness for sure increases. So, we can hope that in future, as the awareness of these systems–Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha increases, the public at large will start benefiting from these sciences.

[Nitesh Batra]: You are absolutely right. Awareness about Ayurveda is increasing around the world but there’s not much awareness about Unani. People are slowly learning about it. But it will be great if you can explain to our listeners about Unani, where it originated and how it came to India and what its future is.

[Dr. Mohammed]: Look, Unani is another system like Ayurveda, Siddha. And Unani is also a science related to health & diseases.

The 2 main aims of Unani are:

1. How to preserve health


2. How to restore poor health of a person

Unani has its own philosophy that provides treatment, diagnosis to patients. As far as its origin is concerned, it first originated in Egypt and thereafter went to Greece. Followed by Rome, Iran, Middle-East, Europe and then came India. Because you see, there are no boundaries for knowledge. Especially knowledge that benefits public at large—that for sure spreads. So, while it flourished outside India, it came to India through trade and business tours. In ancient /olden times also, there used to be trade visits & tours and physicians used to travel with businessmen and traders. Thus, when Unani came to India from these countries, it was highly welcomed and started to get propagated. That’s how it came to India. And subsequently, “Ruling kings or monarchs” encouraged, protected and propagated. Unani also gained widespread public acceptance in India. Today, in some parts of India, many people know about it a lot whereas there are parts of India where there’s very little awareness or knowledge about Unani. Punjab as a region has witnessed many “hakims” (doctor). Unani is better known as “Hikmat”. All Hakims have been associated with Unani medicine. There is no region in India that hasn’t had “hakims”.

[Nitesh Batra]: Yes, very true. Whenever we hear someone say, “Hakim will visit, hakim will cure”, it is only associated with Unani. So, Unani originated in Egypt and Greece around 400 BCE. And such a long journey over centuries of the medicine into India should certainly not be wasted. You mentioned 2 very important facts about Unani medicine and one of them was on preservation of health. It will be wonderful if you can elaborate on how the 7 elements/principles of Unani emphasize on preservation of health.

[Dr. Mohammed]: Look, Unani medicine recognizes the effect that seasons, regions, foods, nature and surroundings have on body.  So, the scholars or hakims of Unani studied all the external factors and how they effect a human body and how they can be stopped. So, when preventive measures were introduced in the system, the biggest discovery was how external factors effect our health.  When something effects a human body, it can either effect you either positively or negatively. So, it was recommended that factors that effect positively should be adopted and those that effect negatively, should be avoided –that’s how health can be maintained. 7 essential factors (6 essential factor) form the basis in the Unani system- known as “Asbab-e-Sitta Zaruriyya“ — effect of Atmospheric Air, Foods & Drinks, Rest and Physical activity, Psychological Activity &  Repose, Sleep & Wakefulness and Elimination and Retention. Effect of wind on human body, effect of sleeping and being awake, effect of movement/physical exercises, things that need to get eliminated from the body—whether they are getting eliminated or not- things that should get retained in the body or not –if there is moderation in all these 6 factors, then health is maintained in the body. Or if one of these—say, sleeping or staying awake increases, then the body deviates from a state of moderation. Those that need to get retained in the body but are getting eliminated, then the body shifts from moderation. That’s how, eating according to the environment one lives in, determines the “mijaaz” (temperament) of a person. If a person’s temperament is OK, he/she is in good health. In other words, if the temperament of a person gets disturbed, it disturbs the health of a person. So, the main aim of Tibb- E- Unani is to maintain the temperament of a person. As long as a person’s temperament is aligned, he is in good health or when the temperament shifts, it affects the health of the person.  The 6 factors mentioned are the cause of shifting the temperament. Take the effect of wind, for example. Directional winds such as southern, northern, eastern winds also effect the body /health of a person. E.g, if a person lives in a region where Western winds blow frequently, Unani prescribes preventive measures in terms of what to eat or not to eat, what measures to take to maintain good health. Thus, there are different measures prescribed for different winds. Similarly, if a person lives in a mountainous region or in a valley, Unani prescribes preventive measures for these regions—as there are effects of living in such regions–some could be positive, some negative. Thus, by adopting measures that promote positive effects, the negative effects can be eliminated.

[Nitesh Batra]: Currently, it is rainy season here in Bangalore and in India. Can you advise our listeners on what precautions one should take in this season so that their health is maintained through these 7 elements?

[Dr. Mohammed]: 6 elements. There are 6 essential factors. In the rainy season, the moisture content in the body increases/becomes dominant. The first effect of high moisture content in the body comes on chest and head. Thus, diseases related to chest and head increase in this season particularly when people come in contact with elements that have a cold effect on the body.  E.g, staying in Air Conditioned environments, consuming cold drinks. Though the effect is not the same on everyone. That’s because not everyone’s temperament is the same. Also, people’s habits and lifestyles are not the same. One person might drink tea while another might drink cold drink. So, the person who drinks tea will not get as affected as the person who