CONCEPT OF NUTOOL (IRRIGATION) IN UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Fouzia Bashir*

ABSTRACT

In Unani system of medicine there are four modes of treatment; ‘Ilaj bi’l Ghidha’ (dietotherapy), ‘Ilaj bi’l Dawa’ (pharmacotherapy), ‘Ilaj bi’l Tadbir (Regimenal therapy) and ‘Ilaj bi’l Yad (surgery). ‘Ilaj bi’l Tadbir (Regimenal therapy) includes a number of regimenal interventions such as Hijama (cupping), Ta‘līq al-‘Alaq (leeching), Fasd (venesection), Dalak (massage), Nutool (irrigation), Qay’ (Emesis), Idrar-i-Bāwl (Diuresis), Ta‘rīq (Diaphoresis), Munḍij and Mu'shil therapy (Concoction and purgation), Bukhoor (medicated steam), Kaiyy (cauterization), and Huqna (enema) etc. Among these regimens, Nutool (irrigation) is a popular mode of treatment in Unani medicine which refers to the pouring or dripping of drugs on body parts. Usually decoctions of drugs and medicated oils etc are used for this purpose. It plays an important role in diseases where it is required to alter the temperament of an organ, to disperse toxic humors or to strengthen an organ. Nutool is specifically effective as an adjuvant treatment in the management of pains and stiffness of various types like cystitis, mastitis, arthralgia etc and CNS disorders like headache, insomnia, migraine, amnesia, melancholia, vertigo, epilepsy etc. This paper aims to highlight the procedure, types and clinical uses of Nutool therapy in light of classical Unani literature.

Keywords: Nutool, Ilaj bit tadbeer, temperament.