Abstract
Unani medicine represents a composite medical tradition rooted in ancient Greek humoral theory and subsequently elaborated during the medieval period by Persian, Arab and Indian scholars. Through centuries of clinical observation, pharmacology, and philosophical reasoning, this cross-cultural synthesis evolved into a structured and enduring system of medicine. The term “cancer” (crab in Latin) was introduced by the Romans, derived from Hippocrates’ karkinos. A comprehensive review of classical Unani texts was done to extract relevant insights on Sartan. In addition, contemporary literature was retrieved through systematic searches of electronic databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, to contextualize Unani perspectives within the framework of contemporary medicinal understanding. In Unani medicine, cancer (Sartan) is classified under the broader category of Waram (swelling). The primary etiological factor is the accumulation of Sawdā’ Ghayr Ṭabī‘ī (abnormal black bile), resulting from pathological combustion processes. The pathogenesis is attributed to the retention and concentration of this abnormal Sawdā (black bile), which gradually impairs the physiological functions of the affected organ and eventually leads to Waram (swelling). Therapeutic approaches in Unani medicine are highly individualized, based on the patient’s temperament (Mizāj), the dominant humour involved, the specific organ affected, and the severity of the disease. Management typically involves the use of single herbs and compound formulations aimed at restoring humoral balance, reducing the abnormal sawdā (black bile), and alleviating symptoms. This review aims to provide a comprehensive description of cancer (Sartan) within the framework of Unani medicine, including the perspectives of Persian scholars, focusing on its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, anticancerous drugs and therapeutic principles.