Vol. 9, Issue - 2, Part C (2025)

Ehtesham Ul Haq and Rishi Kumar

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33545/2616454X.2025.v9.i2c.359

Abstract:
Unani medicine describes Hazm (digestion) as a coordinated process involving four stages—gastric, hepatic, vascular, and organ-level digestion—each contributing to the transformation of ingested food into nourishment for the body. Modern gastrointestinal physiology defines digestion as a mechanical and chemical breakdown involving the mouth, stomach, intestines, enzymes ^[14], microbiota ^[9], hormones, and neural regulation. This review explores the parallels between these systems, emphasizing how classical Unani concepts mirror modern understanding in function, sequence, and systemic integration. A comparative analysis reveals conceptual harmony in the roles of digestive heat (Hararat-e-Ghariziyah ^[3]), Quwā-e-Hazimah (digestive faculties), and nutrient absorption through organs and vessels.