Unani Concepts of Brain Pathology: Humoral Mechanisms in Māddī Neurological Disorders

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 02 | Page : 21 29
By

Shagufta Parveen,

Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad,

Usmani Sana Kamal,

Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of IBT, Hayat unani medical college and research center Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Moalijat, Mohammadia Tibbiya College and Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Moalijat, ZH Unani Medical College & Hospital, Siwan, Bihar, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Moalijat, Mohammadia Tibbiya College and Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background: The Unani System of Medicine (USM) considers the brain (Dimāgh) as the principal organ of Quwā Nafsāniyya (psychic faculties), responsible for sensation, cognition, memory, movement, and emotional regulation. According to Unani principles, health is maintained through equilibrium of Mizāj (temperament) and Akhlāṭ (humours), whereas disease develops when this balance is disturbed. Among neurological disorders, Sū’-i-Mizāj Māddī Dimāgh refers to pathological conditions of the brain associated with the accumulation of morbid matter (Māddā) or vapours (Bukhārāt). Classical Unani physicians extensively described the etiopathogenesis of these disorders in relation to humoral imbalance, obstruction of neural pathways, and disturbance in the circulation of Rūḥ Nafsānī. Objective: To critically review and elaborate the pathogenesis, anatomical basis, humoral mechanisms, and clinical manifestations of Māddī disorders of the brain in Unani medicine. Materials and Methods: This narrative review was conducted using classical Unani literature including Al-Qanun fi’l-Tibb, Kamil al-Sana‘a, Zakhira Khwarizam Shahi, Kitab al-Hawi, Firdaus al-Hikmat, and Moalajat Buqratiyah. Relevant modern scientific literature concerning neurological disorders, neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular disease, and psychosomatic disorders was also consulted. The collected material was critically analyzed, translated where necessary, and thematically organized. Results: The review demonstrates that Māddī disorders of the brain arise due to qualitative and quantitative derangement of humours, leading to accumulation of cold, hot, viscous, or vaporous morbid matter within the ventricles, meninges, nerves, and cerebral tissues. These morbid substances impair the flow of Rūḥ Nafsānī and disturb psychic functions. Classical descriptions of Ṣar‘a (epilepsy), Sakta (apoplexy), Falij (paralysis), Mālankhūliyā (melancholia), Duwār (vertigo), and Shaqīqa (migraine) show notable conceptual similarities with modern neurological and psychiatric conditions. Conclusion: The Unani concept of Sū’-i-Mizāj Māddī provides a holistic explanation for neurological and psychiatric disorders based on temperament, humoral imbalance, and obstruction of vital functions. Understanding these concepts remains important for diagnosis, preventive strategies, and rational therapeutics in USM and may contribute toward integrative neurological research

Keywords: Unani medicine, māddī disorders, brain diseases, mizāj, akhlāṭ, humoral pathology, neurology, quwā nafsāniyya

[This article belongs to Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy ]

How to cite this article: Shagufta Parveen, Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad, Usmani Sana Kamal, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. Unani Concepts of Brain Pathology: Humoral Mechanisms in Māddī Neurological Disorders. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2026; 15(02):21-29.
How to cite this URL: Shagufta Parveen, Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad, Usmani Sana Kamal, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. Unani Concepts of Brain Pathology: Humoral Mechanisms in Māddī Neurological Disorders. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2026; 15(02):21-29. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joayush/article=2026/view=248276

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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 02
Received 12/05/2026
Accepted 15/06/2026
Published 16/06/2026
Publication Time 35 Days

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