Movement Disorder in Unani System of Medicine

Mir Mahdi Ali, Zaibunissa Begum

Abstract: Before the 19th century, a condition that displayed involuntary trembling motions, diminished muscle strength in idle body parts, a tendency to lean forward, and an unusual transition from walking to almost a hurried pace was recognized in ancient times. In 1817, James Parkinson delineated this ailment comprehensively for the first time. Unani system of medicine with diverse medicinal repertoire is particularly notable for its effectiveness in addressing numerous nervous disorders. In the Unani system of medicine, the term "Rasha" denotes "tremors" and the root cause of "rasha" lies in the diminished "quwath-e-hamila," or the adaptive capacity of brain. This decrease in adaptive ability which can be attributed to factors like psychological factors (referred to as "Alaam-e-Nafs"), or physical factors (termed as "Alaam-e-Badan"), which encompass altered or abnormal temperament, often prevalent among the elderly or individuals consuming excessively cold water. Forgetfulness or dementia, referred to as "Nisyaan," is attributed to the presence of a specific type of "Balgham," or phlegm, characterized by increased wetness or watery consistency. Unani system of medicine, centuries before James Parkinson's clinical description in 1817, identified neurodegeneration as "rasha" and cognitive decline, referred to as "Nisyan" in conditions like Parkinson's disease. It's remarkable how ancient Unani scholars detailed neurodegenerative and movement disorders within the broader headings of "Rasha" and "Nisyan." The alignment between these classical Unani descriptions and Parkinson's clinical observations underscores the depth and prescience of ancient Unani scholars in understanding and categorizing these neurological conditions well before their formal clinical recognition.

Keywords: Movement Disorders, Parkinson Disease, Rasha, Nisyan, Unani Medicine

How to Cite?: Mir Mahdi Ali, Zaibunissa Begum, "Movement Disorder in Unani System of Medicine", Volume 13 Issue 1, January 2024, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 991-994, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR24115115814, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR24115115814