Government Attention Is Needed to Address Declining Traditional Hikmat Treatment Habits

 

Traditional Hikmat also known as Unani medicine in many regions, has been an integral part of South Asian healthcare for centuries. Rooted in natural healing, herbal remedies, and holistic wellness principles, Hikmat once played a vital role in treating common illnesses and maintaining overall health. However, in recent years, the practice has been steadily declining, raising concerns among practitioners and cultural preservation advocates. Many experts now believe that government intervention is essential to protect and revitalise this traditional system of medicine.

Hikmat is based on balancing the body’s four humours—blood phlegm, yellow bile, and black bile. Practitioners, known as hakims, rely on herbal medicines, dietary guidance, and lifestyle modifications to restore health. For generations, communities trusted these treatments for chronic conditions, digestive disorders, joint pain, and general wellbeing. In rural areas especially, Hikmat was often more accessible and affordable than modern medical facilities.

However, the rise of allopathic medicine urbanisation, and changing lifestyles have significantly reduced the popularity of traditional treatments. Younger generations are less inclined to pursue careers as hakims, preferring modern medical education and more financially stable professions. As a result, many experienced practitioners are ageing without passing on their knowledge to successors.

Another major challenge is the lack of formal regulation and standardisation. While some countries have councils or boards that oversee traditional medicine, enforcement and support remain limited. Without proper quality control, research backing, and certification systems, public confidence in Hikmat continues to decline. Additionally, the absence of large-scale scientific studies validating certain treatments makes it difficult for Hikmat to compete with evidence-based modern medicine.

Government support could play a transformative role in reversing this decline. Establishing dedicated research institutions to scientifically evaluate traditional remedies would strengthen credibility. Integrating Hikmat education into recognised academic frameworks could encourage young students to pursue formal training. Financial incentives, grants, and training programmes would also help sustain practitioners and preserve valuable herbal knowledge.

Public awareness campaigns could further highlight the benefits of traditional medicine when used responsibly. Rather than positioning Hikmat in opposition to modern healthcare, policymakers could promote an integrative approach, combining safe traditional therapies with contemporary medical practices. This model has shown success in some countries where alternative medicine systems are officially recognised and regulated.

Moreover supporting local herbal farming and pharmaceutical production could boost both healthcare and economic development. Many Hikmat remedies rely on indigenous plants, and structured cultivation programmes could create employment while ensuring quality supply chains.

The decline of traditional Hikmat is not merely a medical issue—it is also a cultural one. Losing this heritage would mean losing generations of accumulated wisdom about natural healing. With thoughtful policy, research investment, and educational reform, governments can preserve and modernise Hikmat for future generations.

In conclusion the fading practice of traditional Hikmat treatment deserves serious government attention. By strengthening regulation, encouraging research, and promoting integration with modern medicine, authorities can ensure that this ancient healing system continues to serve communities in a safe and meaningful way.