Modern life disrupts our natural rhythms—some chase deadlines into the wee hours, others linger in bed too long. Yet, Unani medicine warns that both extremes jeopardize health profoundly.
Sleep, in Unani terms, is sacred reconstruction time. The body’s inner vitality, ruh-e-hayati, hunkers down to fix wear and tear. It balances digestion, calms the psyche, and replenishes vigor.
Deprive yourself, and the toll mounts: physical debility, mood swings, impaired judgment.
Late nights fuel ‘hararat’ (heat) and dryness, assaulting the nervous system. Victims report throbbing headaches, eye strain, anxiety, parched throats, and exhaustion that defies rest. Over time, vital fluids deplete, hastening weakness and old age.
Excess sleep introduces chill and dampness, stifling bodily functions. Digestion lags, inertia sets in, leading to weight gain, bloating, respiratory mucus, and motivational slumps.
Personalization is key in Unani: adjust for age—more for kids, less for seniors—and disposition. Warm natures suit brief sleeps; cold ones risk torpor from overindulgence. Ideal sleep aligns with nocturnal hours, awakening revitalized at dawn.
This ancient system offers a blueprint for today’s insomniacs and sluggards alike. Realign your sleep, reclaim your health.