Fasad Therapy
Fasad, commonly known as Venesection, is one of the most important and time-tested Ilaj-bit-Tadbeer (Regimental therapies) of the Unani System of Medicine. It is a classical method of treatment practised for thousands of years, even before 1550 BC, and has been elaborately discussed by renowned Unani physicians such as Ibn Sina, Zakariya Razi, Zahrawi, Ibn-ul-Qaf, and Ibn-e-Hubal Baghdadi.
The word Fasad is derived from the Arabic term meaning “to open”. In this procedure, blood is intentionally withdrawn from specific veins to eliminate excess blood (Kasrat-e-Dam) and dominant humours mixed with blood, thereby restoring the balance of humours in the body.
Concept of Fasad in Unani Medicine
According to Ibn-e-Hubal Baghdadi, venesection is a process of complete evacuation, through which blood along with dominant humours is drained from the veins. Qarshi defined it as the removal of blood by making an incision with a sharp instrument, while Ibn-ul-Qaf Maseehi emphasized the use of specific instruments for venesection of particular veins.
In Unani philosophy, venesection is considered a general eliminative therapy, as it removes humours in the same proportion as they exist in the blood. It is advised when:
There is an excess quantity of blood (Kamiyat-e-Dam)
The patient is at risk of developing a disease
The disease has already manifested due to humoural imbalance
Historical Significance
Unani scholars extensively discussed fasad in their classical texts. Different physicians have mentioned varying numbers of veins suitable for venesection:
- Ibn-ul-Qaf Maseehi – 34 veins
- Ibn-e-Hubal Baghdadi – 41 veins
- Zakariya Razi – 29 veins
- Zahrawi – 32 veins
- 16 veins of the head
- 10 veins of the hands
- 6 veins of the legs
- Ali Geelani – 36 veins and arteries
- Some scholars mentioned up to 66 veins for venesection
Each vein has specific therapeutic benefits depending on the disease and condition of the patient.
Indications of Fasad (Venesection)
Fasad is indicated mainly in conditions related to dominance of blood (Khilt-e-Dam) and inflammatory disorders. It helps in relieving congestion, reducing inflammation, and preventing complications.
Suitable Persons for Venesection
Unani physicians have categorized suitable individuals for venesection into two main groups:
1. Persons Prone to Diseases Due to Excess Blood
- Women with suppressed menstruation
- Individuals prone to sciatica, gout, and arthritis
- Sudden cessation of bleeding from haemorrhoids
- Patients suffering from haemoptysis due to rupture of lung veins
Conditions such as:
- Sara (Epilepsy)
- Sakta (Coma)
- Malikhuliya (Melancholia)
- Khunaq (Diphtheria)
- Inflammation of internal organs
- Conjunctivitis due to excess blood
