Concept of Zaght al-Dam-Qawi (Hypertension) and its Management Modalities in Unani System of Medicine

The scope of Unani medicine is increasing day by day as people are becoming more interested in herbal and organic world. However, Unani (herbal) knowledge needs to be coupled with scientific documented research done to verify its efficacy. The aim of this paper is to provide updated knowledge on hypertension and its management in the Unani system of medicine. Hypertension is a major health hazard globally especially in developed countries. In the Unani system of medicine, there are mudirrat (diuretics) to reduce body fluids and minerals, and musakkin (relaxants) and munawwim (sedatives) are also advised by Unani physicians to reduce anxiety. Unani physician, Razi recommends venesection for this particular ailment. Unani physicians have given the concept of hypertension as “Imtila-ba-Hasb-ul-Auiya” and have said that this occurs due to sue-e-mizaj damwi and comes under the heading of Imtila. Literally ‘Imtala’ means gathering and fullness of the body with madda (fluids). To be precise, it means there is a buildup of normal or abnormal fluids in the body. Unani physicians were all aware of the concept of Zaghta e damwi (blood pressure). Systole as ‘Zaghta-e-Inqabazi’ and diastole as ‘Zaghta-e-Inbesati’ is well depicted in the Unani literature. Most of the world’s population, mainly in developing countries, use herbal medicines for primary health care because of their ancient tradition, culture, and minor side effects. Various kinds of research have been conducted regarding the hypotensive and antihypertensive therapeutic values of local medicinal plants in the recent past, and they have provided evidence for the antihypertensive effects of some of these plants.