Herbal Medicine: Exploring Its Scope Across Belief Systems of the Indian Medicine

The acceptance and use of any system of medicine is influenced by belief of their practitioners, founders, teachers, and most importantly the general public. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of herbal medicines are utilized worldwide for better heath. The strong belief systems that underpin herbal medicine are crucial to comprehending the concepts of health, disease, disease physiology, disease pathology, and treatment modalities. One of the oldest medical systems is Unani, which primarily uses plants as a form of treatment. The fundamental knowledge of Unani medicine was collected by famous scholars of ancient time like Buqrat (Hippocrates 460 BC, Greece), Jalinoos (Galen 129 CE, Anatolia), Zakariya Razi (Rhazes 854, Persia), Ibn Sina (Avicenna 980, Persia), and later on Hakim Ajmal Khan (1868, India) emerging to be a significant contribution to its spread in India. The foundation of the Unani system is based on the core theory of the seven basic physiological principles, temperament, self-regulating power called “Tabiat,” and six essential factors. Unani scholars employ these theories as therapeutic and diagnostic tools in their clinical practices. Patients and general population’s belief on herbal medicine particularly Unani medicine varies. Some common believes are the following: It is restrained to Muslims only, is harmless, can be taken without advice of a physician directly over the counter, is only effective in chronic diseases, and can be taken in addition along with conventional medicine. The physician should be a religious or spiritual preacher, according to the general public’s perception of Unani practitioners. These viewpoints are similar to those of other branches of traditional medicine, which all employ holistic approaches to treat illnesses rooted in a close connection to the associated religion. As a result, different groups of people favor these branches of medicine for their medical needs.