Vol. 9, Issue - 1, Part A (2025)

Uzma Almas, Mohd Azhar Abid, Km Fizza Fatma, Shaikh Nilofar, Ataullah Fahad and Yusuf Jamal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/2616454X.2025.v9.i1a.319

Abstract:
Unani medicine, also known as Greco-Arab medicine, is an ancient healing system that traces its origins to Greece. Predominantly practiced in the Indian subcontinent, it is rooted in timeless principles of drug therapy and management. This system is founded on Hippocrates' theory of the four humours: blood, phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile and the four qualities that define the body's states: hot, cold, moist, and dry. Unani medicine identifies calcium deficiency (nuqsaan-e- kalsuddam), often aligned with the modern concept of hypocalcemia, as a condition arising from insufficient dietary intake and disruptions in humoral balance. This deficiency manifests through symptoms such as musculoskeletal weakness, frequent fractures, joint pain, fatigue, and muscle cramps. From the Unani perspective, it is considered a disruption of the body’s cold and dry temperament, impairing both bone density and muscle function. The condition is attributed to two primary factors, inadequate consumption of calcium-rich foods and poor nutrient absorption, often linked to digestive issues or an imbalanced Mizaj (temperament). An imbalance in Mizaj compromises the body’s ability to absorb and distribute calcium effectively, further exacerbating the deficiency. Treatment in Unani medicine focuses on restoring humoral balance through lifestyle and dietary adjustments, alongside targeted nutritional interventions. This comprehensive approach not only addresses calcium deficiency but also enhances the body’s capacity to utilize it efficiently, promoting overall health and well-being. In Unani medicine, Kushta Marjan (calcined coral), Kushta Sadaf (calcined pearl), and Kushta Baiza-e-Murgh (calcined eggshell) are primary treatments for increasing calcium levels in the blood. These formulations are rich in natural calcium and are commonly used to strengthen bones, improve vitality, and address hypocalcemia. These remedies form the foundation of the treatment, while additional medications and dietary guidelines are thoroughly explored in the treatment section of the review paper, offering a well- rounded approach to addressing calcium deficiency in the Unani system of medicine.