A review of Akhlat theory in Unani medicine in light of hematology and modern fluid physiology

Abstract

The theory of Akhlat (humours) forms the basis of pathophysiology and treatment in Unani medicine. The four humours—Dam (blood), Balgham (phlegm), Safra (yellow bile), and Sauda (black bile)—are believed to maintain health through their quantitative and qualitative balance. This review explores the Akhlat theory in correlation with modern hematology and fluid physiology. Blood, a dominant humour in Unani thought, is examined in light of its modern components: red and white cells, plasma, electrolytes, immune factors, and acid-base balance. The role of humoral imbalance is discussed vis-à-vis disorders of pH, immunity, inflammation, and dehydration. The paper presents a framework for integrating Unani diagnostic insight with contemporary clinical hematology, fostering a bridge between traditional and modern approaches to systemic health.