Evolution of water purification methods
Journal Title: International Journal of Unani and Integrative Medicine - Year 2018, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction and Background: Early humans believed that the purity of water was determined by taste and odour, if the water had a sweet and pleasant taste and good odour then it was considered as pure. As a result, the method of water purification in ancient era, as described in classical Unani literature, was to add herbs, flowers, honey or fruits to water to purify it as well as to make it pleasant in taste and odour. In the 3rd century BC the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates introduced “Hippocratic Sleeve” the first domestic filter. It was a simple cloth bag filter through which boiled water was filtered. The main purpose of this filter was to trap the particles and pollutants of water. Some Unani physicians also recommended use of silk cloth for water filtration. Other methods which are described by Unani physicians are Storage/ Sedimentation, Boiling, Vessels method, Distillation and Churning etc. Today, purification of water is more important due to the widespread of contamination and pollution. Numerous methods and techniques are invented but all these techniques are very expensive and out of reach of lower class and sometimes for middle class population also, while the old methods (which are mentioned in classical Unani literature) are more economical and easy to use for all at domestic level for potable drinking water. Methodology: The present literary research is conducted through “input-processing-output” approach. The literature collected from primary and secondary sources, various libraries and online search engines. The result generated accordingly, then compiled, analyzed and evaluated. Objective: To collect and compile the scattered literature related to water purification methods in Unani Medicine.
Authors and Affiliations
Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Alig
Keywords
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