Year: 2026 | Month: September | Volume: 13 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 448-455
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260942
Unveiling the Concept of Ḥaṣā al-Kulya (Renal Stones) through the Prism of Unani Medicine: A Narrative Review
Daud Subhan1, Irfan Ahmad2, Arshad Kafi3, Shahzama Siddiqui4, Mo Azahar5
1P.G. Scholar, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz, State Unani Medical college and Hospital Himmatganj, Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh 211001
2Professor & HOD, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz, State Unani Medical college and Hospital Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh 211001
3Assistant professor, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz, State Unani Medical college and Hospital Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh 211001
4P.G. Scholar, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz, State Unani Medical college and Hospital Himmatganj, Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh 211001
5P.G. Scholar, Department of Ilmul Atfal, State Unani Medical college and Hospital Himmatganj, Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh 211001
Corresponding Author: Daud Subhan
ABSTRACT
Ḥaṣā al-Kulya (renal stones/nephrolithiasis) is a common and recurrent urinary disorder with multifactorial causation. Unani medicine contains extensive classical literature on renal stones; however, the relevant information is dispersed across various classical texts and has not been comprehensively organized. The present review was undertaken to compile, organize, and synthesize the available Unani literature on Ḥaṣā al-Kulya, with particular emphasis on its etiopathogenesis, types, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, risk factors, and preventive measures. A narrative literature review was conducted using classical Unani sources and relevant contemporary medical literature. Classical descriptions of eminent Unani physicians, including Ibn Sīnā, Jālīnūs, Ibn-e-Abbās Majūsī, Zakariyā Rāzī, and Ibn-e-Zuhr, were reviewed and synthesized. The review revealed that renal stone formation, according to Unani concepts, is mainly associated with the accumulation and retention of Ghalīẓ Mādda (thick morbid matter), excessive Harārat-e-Gharīziyya (innate heat), Sū-e-Mizāj-e-Kulya, renal weakness, and impaired expulsive power. The process involves concentration, drying, hardening, and eventual solidification of morbid matter. Several Unani concepts show similarities with contemporary understanding of urinary concentration, supersaturation, crystal formation, dietary influences, hydration, and urinary stasis. Overall, the classical Unani literature provides a valuable conceptual framework for understanding the etiopathogenesis of Ḥaṣā al-Kulya and may serve as a foundation for further scientific research on its prevention and management.
Keywords: Ḥaṣā al-Kulya; Nephrolithiasis; Urolithiasis; Unani Medicine; Etiopathogenesis; Risk Factors; Diagnosis; Prevention.
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