Unani Medicine: What It Is and What the Evidence Shows
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What is unani medicine and who practices it?
Unani medicine is a traditional system of healing from the Greco-Arabic tradition, practiced mainly in South Asia, that uses herbal remedies, diet changes and lifestyle habits to help the body stay balanced. Tell your primary care doctor (your regular doctor) about any unani remedies you use. It is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis, so always see a doctor first for new or worrying symptoms.
What it is
Unani medicine is also called Greco-Arab medicine. It started in ancient Greece. Hippocrates, a Greek physician, shaped its early ideas. Scholars in the Islamic world built on them. Ibn Sina, also known as Avicenna, wrote the famous medical book al-Qanun. Arab physicians brought the system to India around 1350 AD. Unani rests on four humors: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. Health means these humors are in balance. Disease starts when that balance is disturbed. Practitioners also judge temperament, which is your mix of hot, cold, wet, and dry qualities.
What people use it for
Practitioners aim to restore the balance of humors. Care may use herbs, diet, and lifestyle habits. Some also use hands-on methods. These include massage and cupping. Cupping means placing cups on the skin. Hands-on methods like massage are part of what Unani calls regimental therapy.
How to prepare
See a doctor first for any new or worrying symptom. Write down the herbs and supplements you use. Tell every provider about them. Herbs can interact with prescription medicines or cause side effects. Ask what is in each remedy before you take it.
What happens during it
A visit starts with an exam. The practitioner checks your pulse with great care. Urine and stool may be examined too. Unani treatment has four branches. Regimental therapy uses methods like exercise, massage, and baths. Dietotherapy gives you a personal diet plan. Pharmacotherapy uses drugs made mostly from plants. Some also come from animals or minerals. The fourth branch is surgery.
Recovery
Unani care is a plan built around diet, lifestyle, and herbs. The aim is to keep the humors in balance over time. Keep your regular doctor informed about what you take. Call 911 or your local emergency number right away for trouble breathing, swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue, fainting, or swallowing a poisonous substance.
What the research shows and safety concerns
Unani rests on the humoral theory, the idea that four humors keep the body in balance. This theory has not been tested in modern clinical trials. Unani medicine has not been tested well in controlled clinical trials either. Experts say another problem is that long traditional use does not prove a remedy is safe. It is also hard to ensure consistency in products. Herbal products can cause side effects. In some countries, herbs are found mixed with pharmaceutical drugs that are not listed. Purity and strength can vary from product to product. Natural does not always mean safe. Do not stop or delay proven treatment. The World Health Organization has issued benchmarks for safe Unani practice, and experts ask for better quality control.
Who performs it
Unani practitioners are sometimes called Hakims, a word for physician. In India, they train at colleges that grant degrees in Unani medicine. The World Health Organization describes categories of Unani health service providers and rules for safe practice.
Common questions
Is unani medicine safe to use?
Unani medicine uses herbs and lifestyle changes, but herbs can still interact with prescription medicines or cause side effects. Always tell your primary care doctor about any herbal remedies you are using so they can check for interactions and safety.
How quickly can I be seen for a unani medicine consultation?
How fast you can be seen depends on the office you choose. Call the office before you book to ask about openings.
Can a medical doctor prescribe unani remedies?
Unani practitioners, sometimes called Hakims, are the ones trained in this system. Tell your primary care doctor about any unani remedies you use.
Sources
- World Health Organization - WHO benchmarks for the practice of Unani medicine
- PubMed Central - Indian Systems of Medicine: A Brief Profile
- PubMed Central - Importance of pharmacovigilance in Unani system of medicine
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
