AIAPGET Unani flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Arkan-e-Arba

The four primary elements of Unani cosmology - earth (cold and dry), water (cold and moist), air (hot and moist) and fire (hot and dry) - whose combinations underlie all physical bodies.

Mizaj-e-Mutadil

The balanced temperament in which the four humours exist in correct proportion and quality; ideally the state of health, though true absolute balance is theoretical and each person has an individual balanced range.

Damawi temperament

The sanguine temperament marked by dominance of Dam (blood) with hot and moist qualities; such individuals are described as plump, ruddy, cheerful and sociable, with a tendency to diseases of plethora.

Safrawi temperament

The bilious temperament dominated by Safra (yellow bile) with hot and dry qualities; typically lean, sharp-featured and quick-tempered, prone to fevers, inflammations and skin dryness.

Balghami temperament

The phlegmatic temperament dominated by Balgham with cold and moist qualities; individuals are described as fair, soft-bodied, slow and calm, predisposed to colds, catarrh and oedema.

Saudawi temperament

The melancholic temperament dominated by Sauda (black bile) with cold and dry qualities; typically thin, dark-complexioned and thoughtful, predisposed to depression, insomnia and chronic dry conditions.

Umoor-e-Tabaiya

The seven natural requisites of the human body: Arkan, Mizaj, Akhlat, A'za, Arwah, Quwa and Af'al - the framework used to explain structure, composition and function in Unani physiology.

Asbab-e-Sitta Zarooriya

The six necessary causes of health and disease: air, food and drink, movement and rest, sleep and wakefulness, evacuation and retention, and psychic reactions. Regulating them is the basis of Unani preventive care.

Quwa-e-Tabaiya

The natural faculties seated in the liver, responsible for nutrition, growth and reproduction; they include the faculties of attraction (Jaziba), retention (Masika), digestion (Hazima) and expulsion (Dafi'a).

Ruh-e-Haywani

The vital pneuma originating in the heart and distributed through the arteries; it carries the faculty of life and heat to all organs and is central to the concept of vital power in Unani physiology.

Nabz (pulse examination)

Systematic palpation of the radial artery to judge temperament and humoural imbalance; ten classical pulse qualities include size, strength, rate, rhythm, fullness, and characteristics such as hard, soft, and irregular.

Baul (urine examination)

Inspection of urine for colour, consistency, odour, sediment and froth to infer humoural dominance and organ function; classical texts describe specific urine changes for each humour and for liver and kidney states.

Tabiyat

The body's innate recuperative power or 'medicatrix naturae' in Unani thought; the physician's role is to support and assist it rather than to override it, a principle governing all treatment decisions.

Ilaj bit-Tadbeer

Treatment by regimen - the first line of Unani management using correction of the six necessary causes, diet, climate, sleep and exercise - before any drug or surgical intervention is considered.

Ilaj bil-Yad

Surgical or manual treatment in Unani medicine, the third tier after regimen and pharmacotherapy; it covers procedures such as incision, excision and manipulation performed by the physician.

Fasd (venesection)

Evacuation of morbid humour by opening a superficial vein; used in conditions of humoural plethora, with specific veins selected according to the affected organ and the humour to be evacuated.

Hijama (cupping)

Therapeutic application of suction cups to draw morbid matter to the skin surface; dry (Hijama bila Shart) and wet (Hijama bi Shart) forms differ by whether scarification is performed.

Irsal-e-Alaq

Treatment by medicinal leeches applied to a site to withdraw blood locally; indicated where localised evacuation is needed and general venesection is not suitable.

Amal-e-Kai (cautery)

Application of a heated metal instrument to a defined point to alter local temperament and evacuate morbid matter; used in chronic joint and neurological complaints in classical Unani practice.

Istifragh

The principle of evacuation of morbid humours from the body by routes such as purgation, emesis, diuresis, sweating and venesection; it is one of the six necessary causes.

Ihtibas

Retention - the counterpart of evacuation among the six necessary causes; excessive retention of wastes such as stool, urine or menstrual blood is held to generate disease by accumulation of morbid matter.

Darja-e-Awwal

The first degree of drug intensity, in which the drug's action is mild and produces no evident effect on the body; such drugs are used for gentle correction and are common in food-like remedies.

Darja-e-Rabi'a

The fourth and most intense degree of drug action, in which the drug is toxic and may cause death if used carelessly; such drugs require precise dosing and are often used after detoxification.

Mufrad wa Murakkab

The Unani division of drugs into single (Mufrad) and compound (Murakkab) forms; single drugs are used alone or as base ingredients, while compounds combine several drugs for synergistic effect.

Majoon

A semisolid compound confection in which powdered drugs are incorporated into honey, sugar or a decoction base; used for tonic, restorative and neuropsychiatric indications in Unani therapy.

Jawarish

A spiced electuary used mainly as a stomachic and digestive; it contains aromatic and carminative drugs in a sugar or honey base and is prescribed for weakness of the stomach and liver.

Khamira

A soft confection made by mixing a drug decoction with sugar or honey, often with musk or ambergris; used as a cardiac and brain tonic in small doses.

Sharbat

A sweetened liquid preparation in which sugar or honey is dissolved in water, decoction or infusion of drugs; used for cooling, demulcent and expectorant purposes.

Qurs

A compressed solid tablet form in Unani pharmacy, made from powdered drugs with a suitable binder; convenient for accurate dosing of compound formulations.

Safoof

A finely powdered compound formulation intended for internal use, usually taken with water, honey or milk; used where a dry, quick-acting preparation is required.

Zimad wa Tila

External Unani preparations applied to the skin: Zimad is a paste or poultice, while Tila is a liniment or ointment-like application; both are used for localised topical treatment.

Ilaj bil-Ghiza

Dietotherapy in Unani medicine, in which foods are classified as light (Lateef), heavy (Katheef) or balanced (Mutadil) and chosen according to the patient's temperament and disease state.