Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Arshiya SULTANA, Khaleeq ur RAHMAN
Hijamat (Cupping therapy) and Gynaecological Diseases- a Review
In recent years, more sophisticated suction methods
have been developed. Some cups have spherical rubber
tops that can be squeezed to create suction. Other cups
come with a special suction pump that pumps out the air to
create an even more powerful vacuum. 8, 11 The improved
plastic cup for cupping therapy is easier to handle and safer
to use. The cups are available in different sets of large, medium
and small sizes. The choice of size depends on the site
and location of the affected area as well as the condition of
the patient. Smaller cups should be used for older, weaker
patients and children; larger ones for patients of robust
constitution. The sized of cups usually available in the market
are cup no.1: 5.8cm; cup no.2: 5cm; cup no.3: 4.2cm;
cup no.4: 3.5cm; cup no.5: 2.6cm; and cup no.6: 2.2cm in
diameter excluding rim. (Fig 1)
Hijamat bil Shurt (Wet Cupping):
Shurt word literally means ‘scarification’ or ‘giving incision’.
17 It is also called as pachna lagana. Both wet cupping
and venesection were originally used as a prophylactic
measures. This type of cupping produces weakness and debility
of the treated area. 18
Hijamat bil Shurt is better than any other method of
elimination because, it acts only in the organ to which it is
applied. Unlike any other mode of elimination, it does not
produce any loss of vital fluids, does not affect vital organs
and thus produces no serious disturbances. In wet cupping
scarifications are made deep enough to draw blood from
10, 18
the deeper parts.
Hijamat bil Shurt is of two types, Zaroori (essential) and
Akhtiyari (intentionally). The essential type of wet cupping
is done whenever, it is necessary, whereas in Hijamat Akhtiyari
following conditions should be kept in mind. 16
Fig. 1: Set of 12 cups of different size
Conditions and Time of Wet Cupping:
• Unani Physicians mentioned that Hijamat bil Shurt is
not conceded at the beginning of the lunar month because
the humours are then congested and difficult to
move. It is the best to carry out at about the middle of
the month when, because of full moon, there is marked
agitation and activity of humours. The sixteenth and
7, 15, 16
seventeenth days of the lunar month are best.
• The best time of cupping is the afternoon i.e., the three
7, 16,18
hours after sunrise is the best time to apply the cups.
• Foods should be served after one hour of the treatment.
7, 16, 18
• It should be done in summers, because in summer matters
are in liquid state, and due to heat they are drawn
towards external surface of the body hence, evacuation
10, 16
of matter becomes easy.
• It should be done on those persons having thin blood;
if blood is thick deep scarification is needed, which will
7, 16
result in much pain and weakness.
• If a person is not able to tolerate wet cupping then
leeching is to be applied. 15
• It should be done after resting for at least an hour or so
after the bath if blood is thick. 16
Contraindications:
• It should not be done on persons under 2 years or over
15, 16
60 years of age.
• Cupping is less effective in heavy, and thick skinned
person. 18
• Wet cupping should never be done after taking a bath
except those having thick blood. Because just after bath
the skin becomes thick so for the removal of the blood
we have to scarify deeply and this will cause much pain
15, 16
and weakness.
• It should not be done just after sexual intercourse. 16
• It should not be done after heavy work or exercises,
because of this metabolism of matter increases, hence
chances of weakness of vital energy also increases. 16
• Cupping should not be applied on bony prominences,
sites prone to cramps, 7, 18 inflamed skin, varicose veins
or much hair growth and lymph nodes.
• It should be not applied in cases of high fever and convulsions.
• It is also contraindicated in easy bleeding disorders and
during pregnancy on lower back, and abdominal area.
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ISHIM 2011-2012