Tadābīr-i-Mashā’ikh (geriatric care‎) in Greco-Arabian (traditional) medicine: ‎‎Concept, guidelines, potential geroprotective activity, and present-day relevance

Nikhat, Sadia; Fazil, Mohammad

doi:10.22038/ajp.2025.89277.4130

Tadābīr-i-Mashā’ikh (geriatric care‎) in Greco-Arabian (traditional) medicine: ‎‎Concept, guidelines, potential geroprotective activity, and present-day relevance

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

Sadia Nikhat ¹
Mohammad Fazil ²

¹ Dept. of Ilaj bit Tadbeer, School of Unani Medical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard

² Hakim Ajmal Khan Institute for Literary and Historical Research in Unani Medicine, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India

10.22038/ajp.2025.89277.4130

Abstract

Objective: This narrative review is done with the aim to explore the guidelines and the scientific rationale of Islamic traditional medicine for elderly care. By synthesizing information from Unani classical literature and published research work, we intend to present the potential role of Islamic traditional medicine in mitigating age-related physiological decline.
Materials and Methods: The classical literature of Islamic traditional medicine was reviewed for information on geriatric care, and the medicines prescribed for common geriatric problems. Also, leading scientific websites were searched for researches conducted on Islamic traditional medicine drugs, which provided evidence of their efficacy in age-related disorders.
Results: The main principle of geriatric care in Islamic traditional medicine is to prevent the loss of innate fluids and innate heat, and prevent the accumulation of abnormal heat and fluids. Besides, the mufatteḥ-i-sudad (de-obstruent) measures are given utmost importance, and they aim to remove accumulated matter, and restore the physiological processes. This is important as many disorders of old-age arise from stasis of morbid matter, or sluggish physiological processes, as observed in recent researches. Further, many medicinal foods such as fennel, honey, fig, honey, etc. are prescribed to prevent and mitigate aging problems.
Conclusion: Islamic traditional medicine offers practical, applicable, and cost-effective guidelines for elderly healthcare. With the global elderly population projected to rise significantly in the coming decades, integrating Unani principles into geriatric care could offer sustainable and culturally resonant solutions.

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