Module 10 Treatment in Tibb
Learning Outcomes:
- Treatment in Tibb is aimed at addressing not only the symptoms but also the causes of illness conditions.
- Treatment in Tibb is opposite to the qualities associated with illness condition/s with respect to both pharmacotherapy of the medication as well as lifestyle factors.
- The Tibb approach in the management of pre-diagnosed illness conditions, with lifestyle factors, can be integrated even for patients on Western or other medication.
Prof. Bhikha explains tried and tested Tibb treatments in this video. Tibb treatment options work to restore homeostasis combining application of Lifestyle Factors, eliminative therapies, and pharmacotherapy.
Introduction
As the philosophical principles of Tibb make it possible to identify the cause of most illness conditions – Treatment in Tibb has a targeted approach aimed at restoring homeostasis between the humours and qualities, working with physis, in relation to the temperament of an individual. In addition, treatment always includes lifestyle factors thus ensuring that not only are the symptoms treated but that the underlying causes of the illness are also addressed. In Western medicine, because of the limited understanding of the cause of illnesses, treatment is aimed at treating symptoms.
Types of Tibb TreatmentTibb has many tried and tested treatment options, that have been developed over centuries. These include:
- Application of Tibb Lifestyle Factors – Considered most important in both management and treatment, especially in chronic conditions.
- Eliminative therapies – Healing modes such as cupping, diuresis, massage, purgation and enemas, nasal inhalation, and heat therapy – aimed at eliminating excess or abnormal humours in keeping with the Hippocratic concept of pepsis.
- Pharmacotherapy – The appropriate use of mostly herbal formulations together with minerals and a few animal derived products – which have been time tested over many centuries. Herbal formulations from whole plants or plant extracts are used which makes it safer compared to higher doses of isolated active ingredients from plants, such as curcumin from turmeric and other plant actives. However, Tibb pharmacotherapy from natural ingredients have far less side-effects compared to chemical based Western medication.
Treatment in Tibb, based on its principles, has a targeted approach with therapeutic options aimed at restoring balance or homeostasis between the humours and qualities in relation to the temperament of an individual, working together with physis. This approach not only addresses the signs and symptoms of illness conditions, but also addresses the underlying cause of disease.
Treatment using opposing qualities
A unique approach of Treatment in Tibb is in keeping with the original understanding of ‘allopathic medicine’ where the word allo: is a Greek term for opposite. Treatment is based on the concept of opposites, both with respect to lifestyle factors as well as pharmacotherapy.
Medication formulated to treat a cold or flu, will not only include the pharmacological action that will be opposite to the symptoms of the cold or flu but also have qualities that are opposite to the signs and symptoms of the flu. The pharmacological action of Zingiber officinale (ginger) is often included in common cold formulations, as it counteracts the symptoms of runny nose, fever, and chills. However, it also has heating qualities which oppose the Cold & Moist symptoms. Similarly, Lifestyle Factors are aimed at increasing the Heat & Dryness to overcome the Cold & Moistness associated with the cold and flu, with hot chicken soup.
Elaborating on the importance of Lifestyle Factors and as poor management of Lifestyle Factors are ultimately the cause/s of most illness conditions, including Lifestyle Factors especially diet, in the treatment protocol is absolutely essential and should always be the first line of treatment.
Treatment protocols based on Lifestyle Factors on fifty (50) common illnesses are included in the “Healing with Tibb” book.