HAMMĀM (TURKISH BATH) IN UNANI MEDICINE: CONCEPT, MECHANISM AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS - A REVIEW

Hammām, commonly referred to as the Turkish bath, is an important regimenal therapy described under Ilāj-bil-Tadbīr in the Unani system of medicine. It primarily involves the therapeutic use of moist and dry heat to modulate Asbāb-i-Sitta Ẓarūriyah for the prevention and management of diseases. Classical Unani texts describe Hammām as an effective modality for facilitating evacuation of morbid matter, improving circulation, opening of skin pores, and maintaining humoral balance. Hammām Bukhārī is regarded as one of the earliest forms of this therapy practiced since antiquity. The present review aims to explore the conceptual framework of Hammām in Unani medicine, its therapeutic applications, and possible mechanisms of action in the light of classical literature and contemporary scientific evidence. Available studies suggest that Hammām exerts its beneficial effects through vasodilatation, detoxification, muscle relaxation, and enhancement of psychological well-being, making it useful in musculoskeletal, neurological, and metabolic disorders. Despite its wide traditional and modern acceptance, appropriate patient selection and adherence to safety measures remain crucial. Further clinical research is required to substantiate traditional claims and to develop standardized treatment protocols.