Revisiting Classical Unani Concepts of Nasal Obstruction and Their Relevance in Contemporary Medicine
Keywords:
Anfī Tasdīd; nasal congestion; nasal obstruction; Unani medicine; Balgham; humoral imbalance; respiratory disorders.Abstract
Background: Nasal congestion or nasal obstruction is one of the most frequently encountered complaints in otorhinolaryngology practice worldwide. It commonly results from inflammation, mucosal edema, excessive secretions, or structural blockage of the nasal passages and is associated with conditions such as rhinitis, sinusitis, allergic disorders, and upper respiratory tract infections. Persistent nasal obstruction significantly impairs quality of life by affecting breathing, sleep, olfactory function, and overall well-being. Despite the availability of modern pharmacological and surgical interventions, recurrent and chronic forms remain challenging to manage. The Unani (Greco-Arabic) system of medicine offers a distinct perspective on nasal disorders based on the theory of humoral imbalance. In classical Unani literature, nasal obstruction is described as Anfī Tasdīd, in which the accumulation of morbid humours, particularly Balgham, leads to blockage of the nasal passages and disturbance of normal respiratory function.
Objective: This review aims to examine the concept of nasal congestion in modern medicine and correlate it with clinically comparable conditions described in classical Unani literature under Anfī Tasdīd, as discussed by scholars such as Jālīnūs (Galen), Muḥammad ibn Zakariyyā al-Rāzī, Ibn Sīnā, ʿAlī ibn al-ʿAbbās al-Majūsī, Ibn Zuhr, and Ibn Hubal al- Baghdādī. Methods: A comprehensive review of classical Unani texts and contemporary scientific literature was conducted. Classical sources including Al-Qānūn fī al-Ṭibb and Al- Ḥāwī were examined alongside modern biomedical databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.
Results: Classical scholars describe Anfī Tasdīd as resulting from thick morbid humours obstructing the nasal passages, leading to symptoms such as nasal blockage, discharge, headache, heaviness of the head, and impaired smell. Management focuses on restoring humoral balance through ‘Ilāj bi’l-Ghidhā, ‘Ilāj bi’l-Tadbīr, and ‘Ilāj bi’l-Dawā, including inhalation therapy, nasal instillation, and herbal formulations.
Conclusion: The Unani concept of Anfī Tasdīd shows notable parallels with modern descriptions of nasal congestion. These holistic therapeutic approaches may provide insights for the integrative management of chronic nasal disorders, although further scientific validation is required.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fatima Anjum, Nazim Husain, Bushra Sabir, L Sreenivasa Naik, Mohammad Zaki Ahmad, Abdul Aleem (Author)
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