Concept of Hemiplegia (Falij-e-Nisfi) in Unani System of Medicine: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Falij is derived from an Arabic word Falj which literally means splitting into halves. It is the paralysis of a longitudinal half of the body starting either below the neck, sparing head & face or covering the entire longitudinal half of the body from head to toe. It is analogous with Hemiplegia occurring due to stroke. There are almost 4.7 million stroke survivors in the United States, and approximately 780,000 new or recurrent strokes occur per year. Sudda and Imtila both are important risk factors for paralysis. When applied to motor function, paralysis means loss of voluntary movement due to interruption of one of the motor pathways at any point from the cerebrum to the muscle fibre. A lesser degree of paralysis is spoken of as paresis, but in everyday medical parlance, paralysis may stand for either partial or complete loss of function. Sudad and Imtila both are produced due to excessive or abnormal diet, physical inactivity, alcohol drinking and cold weather. Paralysis occurs mostly in extremely cold weather; sometimes it occurs due to rage of Imtila as it occurs in spring; and sometimes it occurs in people aged around fifty years, inhabiting in southern cities due to descent of Nawazil from their heads, as most of them are affected with Imtila ur Ra’as. In the Unani system of medicine, Falij is considered as Maddi Marz. Maddi Marz by definition of Unani Medicine is treated by unique methods of Tanqia and Ta’deel. The aim of this review is to make masses aware of the common ailment and to highlight the basic concepts of falij in Unani system of medicines.

Keywords: Falij, Tanqia, Imtila, Ta’ deel

Cite this Article

Humera Kausar, Shah Fasal, Rehana Alvi. Concept of Hemiplegia (Falij-e-Nisfi) in Unani System of Medicine: A Comprehensive Review. Research & Reviews A Journal of Pharmacology. 2019; 9(2): 37–41p.