Abstract:
Unani healing system employs a holistic approach in prevention and
treatment of diseases. This system of medicine emphasizes six
essentials pre-requisites (Asbab-e- Sitta-e- Zarooriya) that have been
laid down for the promotion of health and prevention of disease.
Among them food is one of the pre-requisites. Ancient Unani
physicians gave much importance to diet in both health and disease. In recent years, public
awareness of health benefits of functional food and nutraceuticals has been expanded in
prevention of risk of developing diseases and improvement in overall health. Therefore, there
is a need for solid information on functional food and nutraceuticals to better inform health
professionals and the public about these foods. This literary research is aimed to give
enlightenment on Unani concept of Ghiza (Diet) with special reference to its nutraceuticals
and functional perspective. Data was gathered from Unani classical texts, scientific journals
and internet. The gathered data was analyzed and the results showed that the terminology and
definitions for nutraceuticals/functional foods are inconsistent worldwide, and there are no
international standards for regulation of nutraceuticals/functional foods to serve as baselines.
However, the Unani medicine has given a clear idea on classification and role of food which
could be enlighten the modern terms nutraceuticals and functional foods for the better
utilization in both health and disease.
