Understanding Unani Philosophy

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 Unani Philosophy, also known as Yunani, represents a sophisticated healing tradition that has evolved over millennia, tracing its origins from ancient Greece through Arabic and Persian Scholars, like Ibn Sina, to the present day. Rather than simply treating symptoms, Unani offers a profound understanding of human existence within the larger cosmos – a philosophy of living in harmony with natural forces.  

 At the core of Unani wisdom lies the understanding that all life arises from four fundamental elements: 

• Fire (Hot & Dry) - Associated with transformation energy 
• Water (Cold & Wet) - Connected to cohesion and preservation 
• Air (Hot & Wet) - Related to movement and communication 
• Earth (Cold & Dry) - Linked to structure and stability 

 These elements are one of the foundational building blocks of our reality; each present in different proportion in everything. They are the bridge from potential to the materialized - the manifested.  

When we talk about elements, we do not mean literal buckets of dirt or water - rather, the essence of said elements. 

Before something comes into being, there has to be an idea of it, a potential of its qualities. It is like gas in the air waiting for a spark to ignite a flame. This ignitor is the Ruh, a vital force that runs through each cell of our body. Without it there is no life.  

 The four elements manifest in the human body as four vital humors:  

1. Blood (Dam) - Hot & Moist 

• Governs vitality, emotion, and sanguine temperament 
• Reflects the air element 

2. Phlegm (Blagham) - Cold & Moist 

• Controls stability and phyaical matter 
• Expresses water element 

3. Yellow Bile (Saffra) - Hot & Dry 

• Manages transformation 
• Embodies fire qualities 

4. Black Bile (Sauda) - Cold & Dry 

• Regulates grounding and introspection 
• Mirrors earth element  

These humors are considered secondary derivatives of the elements, resulting from the primary and secondary digestion of food and drink. Each humor carries the temperamental effect  (quality )of the elements that dominate its composition.  

 Every individual possesses a unique constitutional temperament – a specific combination of elemental qualities that determines their natural state of health. Understanding your mizaj is key to personalized wellness:  

• Sanguine (Damawi): Dominated by blood humor; warm, enthusiastic, sociable 
• Choleric (Safrawi): Driven by yellow bile; ambitious, determined, intense 
• Phlegmatic (Blaghami): Governed by phlegm; calm, patient, contemplative 
• Melancholic (Saudawi): Influenced by black bile; thoughtful, introspective, analytical 

 Unai philosophy recognizes three essential forces that animate life: 

 The subtle essence that connects body to soul - a refined vapor that flows through the body’s vessels, carrying consciousness and vitality to every cell.   

 The function capacities of the body including: 

• Physical powers that govern movement and structure 
• Psychic powers that regulate thought and emotions 
• Natural Powers that control life function   

The body's innate wisdom – a regulatory force that constantly seeks balance and healing, guiding all physiological processes towards harmony.