Webinar on ‘Ilaj Bil-Ghiza and Unani Medicine in Today’s Perspective’
Aligarh : Faculty members outlined the importance of Unani medicine’s Ilaj Bil Ghiza (Dietary Therapy) in the national webinar on ‘Ilaj Bil-Ghiza and Unani Medicine in Today’s Perspective’ of the Department of Ilaj-bit-Tadbeer, Ajmal Khan Tibbiya College (AKTC), Faculty of Unani Medicine.
The programme was held to commemorate the Unani Day 2022 and for paying tributes to the pioneer of Unani medicine, Hakim Ajmal Khan on his birth anniversary.
“Major health care problems are increasing due to acute and chronic conditions related to poor nutrition and overconsumption—a large proportion of coronary diseases and cancers can be attributed to unhealthy eating habits and obesity”, remarked Prof F S Sherani (Dean, Faculty of Unani Medicine).
He said: “There is a long history of Dietotherapy dating back to the ancient era”.
“It is essential for health care professionals to understand the basics of Ilaj Bil Ghiza for a better medical practice. Individualized diet therapy can provide the patient important insight into food-related illnesses and education regarding how various nutrients act on illness, diseases and obesity. Ilaj Bil Ghiza can be tailored to meet the treatment needs of patients on diagnosis of specific illnesses and help reduce complications and side effects”, stressed Prof Sherani.
He emphasised: Unani medicine system has tremendous potential to foster the need in health care.
Prof Shagufta Aleem (Principal, AKTC) said that every year, the Unani Day is observed on the birth anniversary of Hakim Ajmal Khan to make people understand his enormous contributions in the sustained development of the Unani medicine system.
“There is an immense scope for Unani medicine and health care workers from across different fields of medicine need to understand the importance of diet as a source of energy, essential for strengthening the immune system. Use of Unani medicine can help us achieve the sustainable development goal of healthy life and well being of all”, she added.
Prof Mohd Anwar (Chairman, Department of Ilaj-bit-Tadbeer and Chairman of the webinar) emphasised the need for expediting the pace for further improvements in research quality, particularly in the clinical and pharmacological areas for a worldwide acceptance of Unani medicine remedies.
This programme is in line with the quote of Hippocrates, ‘Leave your drugs in the chemist’s pot, if you can heal the patient with food’, he said.
Prof Anwar also gave an account on the history of AKTC in the welcome address.
He also spoke on ‘Holisitc approach of Prevention and Management of Metabolic Syndrome’ and discussed metabolic syndrome and other lifestyle diseases and scientific ways to manage maladies with the Ilaj Bil ghiza of Unani medicine.
“There is a need for a research based empirical publication on Ilaj Bil Ghiza by Unani scholars”, said Prof Asia Sultana.
She added: “Unani medicine has given clear guidance on description, classification and role of diet which can easily be implemented in the modern day concept of Dietary therapy”.
Speaking on ‘Ilaj bil Ghiza: Its Relevance in Today’s Health Scenario’, Prof Tanzeel Ahmad (Department of Moalijat) said that the Unani dietary therapy deals with certain ailments by treating them with specific diets or by regulating the quantity and quality of food.
He pointed out: Unani system of medicine believes that a physician is not the healer but an assistant to nature Tabiyat (physique) of the body, which is the true healer hence the diet should be in accordance with it. Diets have been mentioned in Unani medicine for various stages of life to maintain the digestive system”.
In the lecture on ‘Concept of Functional Food and Mental Health in Unani Medicine’, Prof Aleemuddin Quamri (Head, Department of Moalejat, National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bengaluru) emphasised that in all life style factors, it is the easiest to control the food habits.
The physical and mental health of a human being is largely dependent upon good nutrition, he said.
Dr Mohammad Saad Ahmad Khan extended the vote of thanks and Dr Abdul Aziz Khan moderated the event.