Unani medicine is a system of alternative medicine among the seven Ayush systems that is believed to have originated in ancient Greece around thousands of years ago, but is now practiced primarily in India. This system of medicine includes addressing the prevention and treatment of disease by using herbal remedies, dietary changes and alternative therapies.  The Unani system of medicine was documented in Al- Qanoon, a medical classic, by Sheikh Bu-AliSina (Avicena) (980-1037) AD) and in Al-Havi by Razi (850-923 AD).

It is the fourth most popular traditional and complementary system of medicine practiced in India after the Allopathy, Ayurveda and Homoeopathy systems. It works on the principle that a body has its own self-healing power which needs to be boosted. 

A career in Unani medicine

An Unani practitioner can work as a doctor in a private or government Unani hospital. The professionals in this field can also get work opportunities with companies that deal with the Unani preparations.

Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery (BUMS) is an undergraduate degree programme in the field of Unani medicine and surgery. This degree covers the medical knowledge of the Unani system. On obtaining  this degree, one can start working as a doctor in the Unani medical field. 

One can also specialise further by doing a Postgraduation and Ph.D in Unani medicine.

Educational Institutions:

The standards of medical education in Unani are regulated through The Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) which is a statutory body constituted under the Indian Medicine Central Council Act, 1970.

At present, there are 41 recognized colleges of Unani medicine – including the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bangalore – in the country, which provide education and training facilities in the system. These colleges have a total admission capacity of 1750 students per year for undergraduate courses. 

The Ministry of Ayush, runs a premier institute, the National Institute of Unani Medicine (NIUM), Bangalore. This institute established in the year 1984, imparts quality education, training and research in the Unani system of medicine.  Here are its details: 

NIUM imparts postgraduate and PhD. courses in various disciplines for the past 15 years. It aims to promote excellence in education, research and patient care in Unani medicine.

Apart from the courses, it also organizes events like CME, workshops, seminars and guest lectures by the eminent scholars on a regular basis.

The hospital of the institute provides clinical services to patients through general and specialty OPDs for a variety of disease conditions like skin diseases, GIT and hepato-biliary disorders, neurological disorders, psychiatric and geriatric care.

Salient Features :

• NABH accredited Hospital

• Postgraduate courses in ten disciplines as on date.

• Ph.D. programme in two disciplines as on date.

• Accreditation to NABL Clinical for laboratories is under process.

• Status of deemed university under de-novo category is under process.

• Likely to start remaining four departments in near future & also Ph.D Programmes in other departments.

• Library with more than 13700 books.

• Modern Diagnostic Laboratories.

• Intermediary Pharmacovigilance center for Unani drugs

• Publishing two peer reviewed Journals  

• Publishing good quality Unani books

• Starting its second unit at Ghaziabad.