The Role of Tibb in Integrative Medicine for Diseases of Lifestyle

Abstract

Abstract:Integrative Medicine combines the concepts, values and practices of complementary and alternative medicine with conventional medicine in the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of disease. Integrative Medicine is concerned with preventing disease, health maintenance and healing, rather than merely eliminating symptoms. The person's innate healing abilities are actively supported, and the importance of mind and spiritual nature are recognised. Integrative Medicine values the relationship between the healer and the patient to promote self-help and provides the appropriate education and motivation required for patient empowerment. The complementary arm of Integrative Medicine adopts specific therapeutic techniques such as massage, herbal medicine and aromatherapy, or medical paradigms such as Tibb, Ayurveda, Naturopathy, or Homeopathy. Tibb, also known as Unani-Tibb (Graeco-Arabic) medicine, is the historical forerunner of conventional medicine, so it is an attractive partner. Integrative Medicine has a major role in both treatment of acute ailments, mainly through the conventional arm of treatment, and long-term management of chronic disorders, mainly via the complementary arm. Integrative Medicine addresses the increasingly common disorders of lifestyle such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes 2, and depression.

Temperament – an important principle for health preservation in Tibb an-Nabawi and Unani-Tibb

“…Health is achieved by maintaining the normal temperament within cells, tissues, organs and the entire body hence maintaining the ideal temperament ensures homeostasis in the internal environment of the cells and the body. The four temperamental types all have unique characteristics relating to the physiological profile, psychological and emotional states which can be scientifically observed 2,4 . Re-interpreting the philosophical insights relating to temperament in terms of quantifiable scientific laws has led to research within many disciplines like genetics, physiology, biochemistry, enzymology, endocrinology and thermodynamics amongst others 25 .…”

“…Identification of the differences between the four temperaments includes physical observational features, skin texture and temperature, speech, appetite, sleep patterns, methods of learning, mental activity, personality traits, emotional and behavioral tendencies as well as possible disease predispositions with common associated signs and symptoms. An over accumulation of the dominant quality associated with a temperament will produce negative effects, therefore an important guideline for the maintenance and preservation of health is to follow a lifestyle program suited to the temperament 2,4,15,21 . 1) Sanguinous temperament (element-air / qualityhot and moist / humor-blood) Features: Oval face with reddish complexion, deepset almond-shaped eyes with prominent capillaries, small chin and small lips, moderate frame with more muscular tissue than fat, solid shape, shapely legs and arms, joints are well formed and prominent, a macho stride (gait), hairs of the head are thick and oily, early hair recession in some men, skin is warm somewhat moist and soft to the touch with veins that are apparent.…”

“…Elimination-bowel habits are regular, stool is soft, urine often golden yellow and they perspire easily. Menstruation tends to be painful 2,4,15,19,20,21,23,28 . The following lifestyle factors are best suited for the Sanguine temperament for health preservation:…”

“…Unani-Tibb also known as Unani medicine/Greco-Arab medicine or Tibb is a modality of CAM, widely practiced on the Indian sub-continent. Unani-Tibb is based on the teachings of three iconic pioneers of medicine namely; Hippocrates, Galen and Ibn Sina (aka Avicenna) 2 . The traditional Islamic medical knowledge that focused on the Quran teachings and the Sunnah (Prophetic traditions) is called Tibb an-Nabawi written by famous authors like Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jauziyah, Jalalu'd Din as-Suyuti and Imaam Dhahabi, their writings formed the basis to the Islamic medicine of today 3,4 .…”

“…Temperament describes an individual's unique constitutional make-up including personality traits, physical appearances, emotional attributes, spiritual attributes and disease predispositions. The concept of temperament is an integral component for health preservation in both Unani-Tibb and Tibb an-Nabawi 2,4 . There is a global revival of Tibb anNabawi in terms of research and practice however very little or no emphasis is placed on the basic principles with under pin this system of medicine.…”