The Role of Asbāb Sitta Darūriyya and Its Implications in the Prevention of Lifestyle Disorders: A Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22048666Keywords:
Asbāb Sitta Darūriyya, Lifestyle disorder, Unani medicineAbstract
The Unani medical system is among the oldest traditional medical systems and places more emphasis on disease prevention and health maintenance than on just treating patients. It proposes a novel strategy based on Asbāb Sitta Darūriyya (the six essential factors), which are crucial for controlling and preventing lifestyle-related illnesses. Diet, behavior, and environment closely link lifestyle diseases, which are becoming a major worldwide health concern. These conditions include depression, anxiety, obesity, cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. According to Unani principles, disease occurs due to the improper management of these six essential elements, exceeding the restorative capacity of Ṭabī‘at’s (innate healing power) to maintain equilibrium. Unani medicine adopts a comprehensive approach that integrates both physical and mental dimensions of health, emphasizing both prevention and therapy. By adopting and regulating Asbāb Sitta Darūriyya, individuals may maintain biological harmony, promote overall well-being, and prevent lifestyle-related illnesses. This narrative review is based on an analysis of classical Unani medical texts and contemporary scientific literature retrieved from electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This review aims to highlight the relevance of these six essential factors in modern life by emphasizing their role in health maintenance and disease prevention.
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