Unani is based on the principle of the four ‘humours’ – blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Unani also postulates that the body contains a self-preservative power, which strives to restore any disturbance within the limits prescribed by the constitution or state of the individual. The physician merely aims to help and develop rather than supersede or impede the action of this power.
Unani practitioner can treat any health complaints, but unani is particularly effective in treating chronic diseases, and anything that affects the liver and kidneys.
A Unani physician does not prescribe the strongest drug at the beginning of the treatment. He selects the drug according to the degree of variation from the normal healthy condition, and observes the effect produced by the treatment. At the same time, he/she instructs the patient to observe some restrictions in diet and lifestyle.