Concept of Migraine and its management in Unani system of medicine

The Unani System of Medicine also known as Greeko-Arab medicine, founded by Hippocrates is based on the concept of equilibrium and balance of natural body humours (blood, bile, black bile and phlegm). The imbalance in the quality and quantity of these humours leads to diseases whereas restoration of this balance maintains health of a person. According to Unani literature, headache is a type of pain which occurs in specified area of head and disturbs its functions. It can be due to external or internal factors. The internal factors may be maddi (involving matter) or sadah (which do not involve matter). Shaqeeqa is an Arabic word which is derived from the word ‘Shaq’ which means a part or a side, due to which it is named as Shaqeeqa. The cause of migraine is either riyah haar or imtila. In this system of medicine, the basic principle of treatment is Ilaj bil zid i.e treatment is in contrast to nature and Mizaj of the disease and is adopted in two ways i.e. observational and rational methods which are employed through diet, drugs, regimes, manipulation techniques and operations. This review aims at highlighting the concept of migraine with special reference of Shaqeeqa and its management in Unani system of medicine.