As we observe World Heart Day, the spotlight turns once again on prevention of cardiovascular disease that remains a leading cause of death in India. However, much of its burden is preventable. While modern cardiology has advanced in diagnostics and interventions, traditional systems like Unani continue to emphasise a principle as relevant today as it was centuries ago — health begins with balance.
The Unani View of Heart Health
In Unani medicine, the heart is seen as the seat of vitality, influenced by six essential factors: air quality, diet, sleep, physical activity, emotional well-being, and daily routine detox of waste products. Disturbance in these elements, whether by overeating, irregular sleep, sedentary lifestyle, stress, or seasonal extremes, can tip the balance of temperament (mizaj) and strain the heart. This philosophy aligns with the modern view that lifestyle is the cornerstone of heart health. The heart, naturally hot in temperament, is especially sensitive to imbalance, and preventive care focuses on protecting it from extremes of heat and cold, excess exertion, or emotional upheaval.
Food as First Medicine
Unani system places special emphasis on nutrition. Certain foods cool and calm excess heat of the heart —pomegranate (anaar), watermelon (tarbooj), Indian gooseberry (amla), pineapple (ananas), cucumber (kheera), water lily (neelkamal), and screw pine water (keora jal), rose water (gulab jal) and sandalwood (chandan). These are not only refreshing but also rich in antioxidants, aligning with modern understanding of cardioprotective nutrition. On the other hand, warming foods like ginger (adrak), clove (laung), cinnamon (dalchini), black pepper (kali mirch), and kesar (saffron) are recommended when the body veers towards excessive cold.
Modern studies support many of these choices: Terminalia Arjuna (Arjun ki chaal) is recognized for improving cardiac function, while nuts such as almonds (badam) and walnuts (akhrot) have been shown to reduce cholesterol and improve vascular health. Seasonal fruits like pineapple (ananas), apricot (khubani), and leafy greens such as spinach (palak) are also part of Unani diet-o-therapy. Together, these foods provide fibre, antioxidants, and micronutrients that reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
Lifestyle Balance & Season Awareness
Beyond diet, lifestyle balance is central. Sleep is viewed as nourishment for the heart and brain; irregular sleep weakens vital energy and strains the cardiovascular system. Physical activity is prescribed in moderation: brisk walks in the early morning or evening, stretching, and light exercises that circulate blood without generating excessive internal heat. Both sedentary living and over-exertion are discouraged.
Seasonal living is another cornerstone. In summer, Unani advises lighter diets with more fruits, cooling drinks, and avoidance of harsh midday sun. In winter, when digestion is stronger, warming foods like soups, whole grains, and dry fruits — raisins (kishmish), figs (anjeer), and walnuts (akhrot) — are preferred. During monsoon, dampness is believed to disturb balance; digestive spices such as cumin (jeera) and carom seeds (ajwain) are used to support gut and cardiac function. These seasonal adaptations mirror modern advice on hydration, circadian rhythm, and protecting the body from environmental stressors.
Emotional Well-Being
Unani system also underlines that emotions directly affect heart health. Anger (ghazab) raises heat and disturbs pulse, while grief (huzn) and anxiety can sap vitality from the body. Chronic stress today is known to increase cortisol levels and blood pressure, leading to heart disease. To counter this, Unani system also prescribes calming practices such as meditation, spiritual reflection, deep breathing, gentle walks in fresh air, or use of fragrant herbs like sandalwood (chandan) and musk (kasturi). Modern cardiology, too, emphasizes stress management as a preventive measure.
Complementing Modern Care
The Unani system complements clinical cardiology by providing a structured, holistic, and personalized approach that nurtures balance. Two people with the same blood pressure may have different temperaments (mizaj), so their lifestyle and dietary prescriptions would differ. Unani system can integrate food wisdom, lifestyle moderation, and emotional care with modern diagnostics – cholesterol checks, ECGs, blood pressure monitoring – to provide necessary clinical care along with long-term resilience against heart diseases.
As India continues to grapple with rising cases of heart disease, what we need more of is the wisdom in living. Weaving ancient wisdom and insights into our daily routines echoes the timeless message: a heart that lives in balance is a heart that endures