Unani Concept of Fasd (Venesection): A Review

Abstract

Unani medicine is an assortment of opinions, views, and concepts of the Greek and Arab scholars and is often termed as Greco-Arabmedicine. It is a traditional method of treatment, established on the concepts of renowned physician-philosopher Buqrat (Hippocrates) followed by Avicenna, Rhazes, Averroes and so on. Four modalities of treatment are described, of which Ilāj bit Tadbīr (regimental therapy) is one among them. Ilāj bit Tadbīr comprises different types of regimes for the accomplishment of health and disease-free life. Taleeq, Dalk, Fasd, Hijamah, Hamman etc. are various common regimes practised all over the world predominantly in the Middle East. Ilāj bit Tadbīrencompasses regimes that try to correct this disruption and help the body to restore itself. According to the Unani philosophy, every individual has a distinctive humoral constitution; health is attained when there is balance in the humors, and any imbalance leads to a disease condition. Faşd (venesection) is a part of Ilāj bit Tadbīr which involves blood-letting by placing an incision in specified veins. It is mentioned as a minor procedure meant for excretion of morbid matter which has both preventive and therapeutic benefits. Faşd has manifold benefits including istifrāgh (excretion) of wastes, removal of imtila (plethora), and reduction in viscosity of blood. Hence, if carried out according to guidelines, it serves as an effective treatment modality in many local and systemic disorders. The present paper aims at reviewing the literature to intricately discuss Fasd with special mention to Unani medicine.