Background: Warm-e-Meda, a well-recognized disease in the Unani system of medicine, corresponds closely to gastritis in modern medicine. It is primarily attributed to an imbalance in humoral temperaments, especially the predominance of Safrā (yellow bile) and excessive Harārat (heat) in the stomach. The Unani scholars, including Ibn Sina, Razi, and Jurjani, provided detailed descriptions of its causes, types, and treatment centuries before the modern understanding of gastric inflammation emerged. Objective: This paper aims to critically review the concept of Warm-e-Meda through the lens of classical Unani texts and juxtapose it with modern medical understanding of gastritis. It emphasizes the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic approaches, and treatment strategies in both systems. Methods: A qualitative review was conducted using primary Unani sources such as Al-Qanoon fit Tib, Zakhira Khwarizm Shahi, Kitab al-Hawi, and contemporary Unani pharmacopeias. Modern references include textbooks like Robbins Basic Pathology, Yamada’s Gastroenterology, and peer-reviewed clinical guidelines. A comparative evaluation was performed to highlight similarities and differences in diagnosis and treatment. Results: Unani medicine classifies Warm-e-Meda into several subtypes based on the dominant morbid humor (Safrā, Sauda, Balgham) and emphasizes personalized treatment involving Ilāj bil Ghizā (diet therapy), Ilāj bid Dawa (herbal drugs), and Ilāj bit Tadbeer (regimenal therapies). In contrast, modern medicine focuses on pharmacologic management using proton pump inhibitors, H. pylori eradication regimens, and mucosal protectants. Both systems acknowledge dietary and psychological triggers. However, the Unani approach incorporates temperament-based diagnosis and holistic healing, often avoiding the adverse effects associated with modern pharmacotherapy. Conclusion: Warm-e-Meda reflects a deep-rooted understanding of gastric pathology within the Unani framework.
Yusuf et al. (Wed,) studied this question.
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