Cauterization: An Age-Old Therapeutic Modality in Unani (Greek-O-Arab) System of Medicine

Abstract

Cauterization (Amal-I-Kaiyy) is one of the traditional medical practices and has been widely used in unani system of medicine in past. It is one of the important regimes in ilaj bit tadbeer (regimental therapy) modality of unani system of medicine with wide range of applications in number of ailments including leprosy, Sar (epilepsy), numbness, Bawāsīr al-Anf (nasal polyp), vertigo etc. Although, there is detailed description of this therapeutic practice in unani system medicine it is almost completely forgotten nowadays due to pain and suffering associated with it. Traditional cauterization is nowadays replaced by modern cautery which is widely used in surgical and other medical practices. Here in this review concept and various therapeutic applications of cauterization (Amal-I-Kaiyy) in the light of unani system of medicine is described in detail. Keywords: Amal-I-Kaiyy, cauterization, Sar, Bawāsīr al-Anf