Hijamat/ Mahaajim (Cupping)

Cupping therapy (Hijamat/ Mahaajim) is an ancient technique/ procedure of Unani medicine. It is used as a method of regimental therapies (Ilaj- bil-tadbeer), in which a local suction is created on the skin. This mobilizes blood flow in order to promote healing or to cure diseases.
 
It is a special technique used for local evacuation or diversion of morbid humors.  A horn is attached to the surface of the skin of the diseased part through which negative pressure is created by vacuum. The vacuum is created by the introduction of heat or suction.
 
Now a days the horn is being replaced with glass cup and hence the procedure came to be known as cupping. In cupping basically the skin is gently drawn upwards by creating a vacuum in a cup over the target area of the skin.
 
Types of cupping: It is of two types:

  1. Hijamat bil shurt i.e. cupping with bloodletting
  2. Hijamat bila shurt i.e. cupping without bloodletting


The second technique can be done in two ways

  1. Hijamat bil Naar: In this process vacuum is created by using fire
  2. Hijamat bila Naar: In this process vacuum is created without using fire


The main objectives are either istifraagh (evacuation of morbid matters from the body) or imala (diversion of matter from one part of the body to another).
Application of cupping therapy (Hijamat/ Mahaajim)

  • To clean the skin from waste matters (Mawaad-e- faasida)
  • To stop excessive menses and epistaxis
  • To correct liver disorders
  • To treat problems such as spleen disorders, malaria piles, inflammation of testes and uterus, scabies and boils
     
References:

  • PUBLISHED DATE : Sep 19, 2015
  • PUBLISHED BY : NHP CC DC
  • CREATED / VALIDATED BY : NHP Admin
  • LAST UPDATED ON : Sep 19, 2015

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