Concept of Akhlat Arba (four humors) with relation to health and disease

Abstract

The concept of Akhlat Arba (four humors) had originated in Egyptian system of Medicine or Mesopotamia, although it was not systemized till ancient Greek System came around 400 BC. Especially Hippocrates (BC 460-370) is credited for its application in medicine and he also elaborated comprehensively. He finally proposed Arkan based theory of the Four Akhlat (Humors) these are Dam (blood), Balgham (phlegm), Safra and Sauda. Since then this theory is the key of Unani system of medicine. Basically, the human body is filled up with four basic essences i.e. Akhlat. These are the dietary sources for the organs to perform their functions properly. Almost all diseases and anomalies resulted because of quantitative or qualitative disharmony of these Akhlat. An adequate balance blending of these Akhlat (humors) yields good health.