Journal of - International Society for the History of Islamic Medicine

Hijamat (Cupping therapy) and Gynaecological Diseases- a Review
Arshiya SULTANA, Khaleeq ur RAHMAN
Essential Points to be remembered
in Hijamat bil Shurt (Wet Cupping):
1. Extent of scarification: According to the consistency of
the matter, the number and depth of scarification differs;
for example when the quantity is more and consistency
thick then the number and depth of scarification
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(incision) will be more and vice versa.
2. Organs should be massaged with great force before
scarification and dry cupping should be applied several
times; subsequently the matter, which we want to eliminate,
gets attracted towards that side.
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3. Excess intake of food is avoided after scarification, because
the immune system of body will be active in alleviating
pain caused by the wound, and will be unable
to concentrate more on the digestion of the food taken
in excess; because of this, most of the food content will
get transformed into wastes of the body, so food should
[10, 16]
be given after one hour of cupping.
4. Bilious person should be treated with seeds or juice of
pomegranate, which is sweetened with sugar or lettuce
served with vinegar. 7
5. The use of wet cupping serves as a substitute for venesection,
in which larger quantities of blood are let out. 18
Indication of Hijamat in
Gynaecological Diseases:
Though, the classical texts are enriched with the practice
of Hijamat in various gynaecological diseases, but it is
not in regular use. Moreover, till date none of the clinical
trials have been documented to prove the efficacy of hijamat
in gynaecological diseases.
In this review, uses of Hijamat in various gynaecological
diseases have been mentioned so, that knowledge can
be updated.
Busoor Farj (Vulval Eruption): Ismail Jurjani was of opinion
that dry cupping should be applied on the lower back
in Busoor Farj. 19
Nutue Rehm (Uterine Prolapse): Ismail Jurjani mentioned
that dry cupping applied on low back and buttock is beneficial
in female genital prolapse. He also advocated dry cupping
below the umbilicus or breast as it helps to ascend the
prolapse organ. Inhalation of aroma along with cupping is
also beneficial in this condition. 19
Ibn Sina also had the same belief that dry cupping is
to be applied below the umbilicus and on the back along
with inhalation of aromatic drugs at the same time, as it
Fig. 2: Application of cups below the umbilicus in dysmenorrhea
helps the uterus to ascent to its right position within three
days. 7
Razi was of view that dry cupping should be applied for
longer period in uterine prolapse since, it is a chronic disorder;
consequently the organ can ascend up. 20
Akbar Arzani mentioned in Nutue Rehm, that dry cupping
is more beneficial if applied below the umbilicus and
breast. 21
Melane Rehm (Displacement of Uterus): Razi says that to
bring posteriorly displaced uterus anteriorly, dry cupping
should be applied anteriorly. 20
Usre Tams (Dysmenorrhoea): According to Razi in Usre
Tams, fire cupping is to be applied on suprapubic or infra
umbilical area along with Mubarrid Riyah Zimad. 19 (Fig 2)
Ibn Sina was also of the same opinion. 7
It is hypothesized that exercise improves dysmenorrhoea
by shunting of blood flow away from the viscera,
which results in less congestion in the pelvic area, suppresses
the prostaglandins and promotes release of beta
endorphins providing endogenous analgesia. 18 According
to Unani physicians the effect of relieving the menstrual
pain by applying the cups below the umbilicus, works on
the principle of Imalae Mawad, which also means shunting
of morbid humours/blood away from the uterus. 18
Secondly, it is also mentioned that Aβ sensory fibres
from the peripheral tactile receptors can depress the transmission
of pain signals. This effect presumably results from
local lateral inhibition in the spinal cord that why such
simple maneuvering as rubbing the skin near painful areas
ISHIM 2011-2012
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