Migraine (Shaqīqa): A Review of Understanding and Managing the Disease in Unāni Medicine.

Background • In the Unani system of medicine, migraine is described as Shaqīqa, a term derived from the Arabic word "shiq" meaning "a side" or "a section", referring to the characteristic unilateral nature of the headache. Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder affecting approximately 14% of the global population. Objective • This review aims to provide a comprehensive account of Shaqīqa (migraine) within the framework of Unani medicine, focusing on its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic principles, and therapeutic strategies. Methods • A thorough review of classical Unani texts was undertaken to extract relevant insights on migraine. Additionally, contemporary literature was retrieved through systematic searches in electronic databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to contextualize Unani perspectives with current biomedical understanding. Findings • In Unani medicine, migraine is classified under Sudā' Māddī (headache due to morbid humoral matter). It is typically unilateral, recurrent, and chronic, and is not attributed to Sū’-i-Mizāj Sāda (simple morbid temperament). Primary causes include Rīh (internal wind), Bukhārāt (vapors), and Akhlāt-i-Ghalīzah (viscous humors). Pathogenesis involves the ascent of Bukhārāt-i- Raddiya (morbid vapors) from the gastrointestinal tract or other organs to the brain, leading to headache. Treatment approaches in Unani medicine are highly individualized, based on the patient’s temperament (Mizāj), the dominant humor, organ involvement, and severity. A range of single and compound herbal formulations is employed to restore humoral balance and alleviate symptoms. Conclusion • The Unani medicine offers a detailed and holistic understanding of migraine, encompassing its etiology, clinical features, and treatment modalities. This review underscores the need for further interdisciplinary research to validate and potentially integrate Unani therapeutic approaches into contemporary migraine management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]