طب سنتی ایرانی

 Halitosis, or bad breath, is a condition in which the smell of a person's breath becomes unpleasant. This condition is not only the third most common reason for dental visits, but it also carries significant social and psychological consequences. Despite considerable advancements in dentistry and medicine, halitosis remains both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Therefore, exploring complementary approaches is necessary. The aim of this study is to investigate the etiology and treatment measures for bad breath in Persian medical texts.

This study employs qualitative content analysis to examine bad breath in traditional Persian medicine texts. Eight books from the 3rd to 5th centuries A.H., such as the Canon of Medicine Alhavi, etc were sourced from the Noor Digital Library and other electronic resources.

According to the opinions of Persian medical sages, 17 different causes of bad breath were identified, primarily caused by conditions in the mouth, stomach, and lungs. These causes include ulcers, decay, and infection in the mouth, stomach disorders with the accumulation of infectious substances, and lung infections. For treatment, depending on the underlying cause in each case, health measures and lifestyle modifications, as well as single and compound drugs, have been suggested. These treatments include the consumption of celery, cloves, cardamom, and myrtle fresh foliage with seedless raisins, among others.

Persian sages identified oral and dental diseases, as well as gastrointestinal problems, as the main causes of halitosis and treated it based on the underlying cause of bad breath. Some of the causes and treatments from traditional Persian medicine for this condition have been supported and validated by modern scientific research after centuries. Further investigations and clinical trials could pave the way for utilizing this valuable ancestral heritage.

Cardiovascular diseases are among the chronic diseases with a high mortality rate. Considering the importance of person-centered medicine and Iranian medicine, the concept of temperament has a great impact on the occurrence of diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the temperament of patients with an acute heart attack.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 280 new patients, aged 20 to 60 years, diagnosed with their first acute heart attack, confirmed by a cardiologist based on clinical and laboratory findings, at the Mazandaran Heart Center from April to September 2024. The study population was selected using convenience sampling.

The mean age of the patients was 51.81±5.98 years, and 70% were male. The frequency of hot temperament, both singly and in combination, differed significantly between the sexes (P= 0.011), as did wet temperament compared to other temperaments (P<0.001).

The results of this study indicate that most patients with acute heart attacks have a hot and humid temperament. Therefore, according to the principles of Iranian medicine, maintaining health and effectively treating these patients requires avoiding factors that increase hot and humid temperament, such as overeating, obesity, physical inactivity, and inadequate sleep. In other words, individuals with a hot and humid temperament are more susceptible to this disease and should adopt preventive measures that help reduce this temperament, including proper nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.

High-intensity exercises are associated with muscle injuries and DOMS.This study aimed to determine the effect of taking 8 weeks of ginger supplementations on serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in response to exhaustive exercise in female taekwondo athletes.

In this semi-experimental study,24 female taekwondo athletes (mean age 19.75±2.03 years, height 160±6 cm, weight 53.99±7.49 kg) were selected voluntarily.Subjects were randomly assigned to the ginger supplement + exhaustive (GE+EE) and exhaustive exercise (EE) groups.24 doses of 2000 mg of ginger supplement (3 days/week for 8 weeks) were taken in the morning and evening (4 capsules of 500 mg: 2 in the morning and 2 in the evening).Then Bruce's test was performed as an exhaustive exercise.Blood samples were collected in two stages before and after the intervention, and serum levels of CK and LDH were measured using the ELISA method.The t-test and repeated-measures ANOVA were used to analyze intra-group changes and compare between groups from pre-test to post-test using SPSS version 25 software.

The results showed a significant increase in the level of serum CK(P=0.003) and LDH (P=0.001) in the EE group. In contrast, there was a significant decrease in the level of serum CK (P = 0.05) and LDH (P<0.001) in the group of GE+EE.In addition, there was a significant difference between the group of GE+EE and the EE. (P<0.001).

Taking 8 weeks of ginger supplementation compared to not taking ginger supplementation can effectively reduce muscle injury following exhaustive exercise in female taekwondo athletes.

“Mithridatium” is one of the most renowned antidotes in history, traditionally attributed to the king of Asia Minor. This study aimed to identify and report the historical and medical background of this remedy. Using a qualitative, documentary research method, this study reviewed information from medical and historical texts to define the true identity of Mithridatium The findings revealed that, despite its historical background, lexical and semantic transformations, and the Hellenic origins of its creator, Mithridatium was invented by Mithridates VI (134 to 63 B.C.), the king of the ancient Anatolian Kingdom of Pontus who was of mixed Persian and Greek ancestry in the Black Sea region. Regardless of its genealogy, the Greek form of Mithridates’ antidote, known as Mithridatium, permeated Persian medicine (PM) and became firmly established. What is clear is that Mithridatium had an Iranian origin, with semantic transformation in PM.

Clinical education is one of the most important parts of training courses in the field of medicine and studies show many challenges in this field. This study was conducted to find the experiences of Persian medicine students in the field of ambulatory education in Iran University of Medical Sciences.

This qualitative study was conducted in 1400 using a content analysis approach. The Ph.D. students of Persian medicine were selected using a purposeful sampling with maximum diversity, and their experiences from ambulatory training were collected using a semi-structured interview method. Finally, the text of the conducted interviews was read several times and subjected to content analysis.

After interview with 15 students and saturating the data, three main categories including "educational program", "teaching methods" and "educational facilities" were identified. The main issues were related to educational planning and the characteristics and ability of teachers in teaching.

The experiences of the students showed that the educational program and objectives of the ambulatory education need to be improved, so that in order to manage common diseases, in addition to enriching the theoretical period, more patients should be introduced and discussed in the practical period in the presence of teachers. Also, more variety of patients, unification of diagnosis and treatment methods of teachers and optimization of the clinic environment are necessary.

Background and

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine diseases that affects the basic metabolism and has a great impact on the quality of life of patients. Despite the treatment, some of the patients are still symptomatic. Persian medicine pays attention to mizaj as one of the important principles of effective treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of mizaj types in hypothyroid patients.

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on under treatment hypothyroid patients, aged 20 to 60 years, who referred to Sari Touba Clinic from January to June 2023. The mizaj of the patients was determined using a standard questionnaire.

Out of 300 eligible female hypothyroid patients, a total of 194 participated in the study. In terms of simple temperament, more than half of the patients were cold and 72.2% of the patients were wet. In terms of mixed temperament, 41% of patients were cold and wet. Also, there was a statistically significant relationship between BMI and dry or wet temperament.

This study showed that the predominant temperament of hypothyroid disease is cold and wet; therefore, in order to achieve complementary treatment for the disease and choose best medicinal interventions based on the principles of Persian medicine, hypothyroid patients should avoid all measures that increase coldness and wetness. In other words, measures that increase coldness and wetness should be avoided in hypothyroid patients as much as possible.

In Persian medicine, it is believed that the creation of life and its continuation depends on Innate Moisture, and natural human death occurs when this moisture ends. Despite the use of this term in medical texts, there is no acceptable understanding of this concept. The purpose of this research was to provide a systematic summary of data about Innate Moisture from the perspective of traditional physicians in different centuries, to explain that and enable more use of this concept in clinical setting.

The keywords in this study were as follows: Innate Moisture, Original Moisture, Moisture, al-Rotuba al-Ghrizia, al-Rotuba al-Asliyyah, Innate Humidity, and Natural Moisture in both Persian and English. We used Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis which consists of a series of overlapping steps whose main goal is to clarify the concept.

In medical books, Moisture is considered from two perspectives: Moisture as an accident (quality) and Moisture as a substance (moist substance). Innate Moisture is present as a moist substance in the human body. The nature of Innate Moisture is less discussed in sources, but physicians are in agreement about its role as a main basis for the continuation of human life.

Innate Moisture can be divided into two types; original (originated from zygote) and non-original (originated from nutrition). Non-original Innate Moistures are considered as alternative for original Innate Moisture so that the original Innate Moisture is reduced less and remains as long as the natural life of the person continues.

A lot of the adult Muslim population will fast during Ramadan while many of those suffering from diabetes mellitus (DM). Risks of fasting for people with DM include hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and dehydration. Physicians should assess the likelihood of these risks in each patient and recommend him/her accordingly. With the right management and correct intervention, many people with diabetes can fast safely during Ramadan, but some of them need to be closely monitored and educated for the appropriate action. By quantifying multiple risk factors, a risk score is calculated that plays an important role in the decision/permission to fast for each patient. The new risk stratifying system defines three risk groups.  People, who fast against the advice of their physician/health care provider, should carefully follow the instructions of the expert to prevent serious complications. In this article, first, we discuss the risks of fasting in patients with diabetes mellitus, based on recent international guidelines and scientific pieces of evidence. Then we present dietary and lifestyle instructions for patients with diabetes mellitus during Ramadan, based on traditional Iranian medicine and also according to the latest pieces of evidence.

One of the important systems of traditional medicine that has grown in the cradle of human civilizations and has always exported doctors, science and medicine to the farthest corners of the world, is the comprehensive system of Iranian Traditional Medicine, which is somehow different from common medicine. This article deals with the differences between Iranian Traditional Medicine and pupular medicine with a logical and philosophical approach.

In this review article, which was done with the analytical-descriptive method, using internet and library resources, the basics of common medicine and Iranian traditional medicine are compared.

The main differences between Iranian traditional medicine and popular medicine is the existence of nature or the administrator power of the body, which manages the activity of all organs and ultimately the whole human body without the intervention of any kind of consciousness, while the popular school of medicine does not believe in such a thing. The second thing that differentiates these two schools from each other is the general attitude of Iranian traditional medicine towards human beings, while the common medicine has a completely mechanical approach to human beings and their health. And in this school, they try to go as deep as possible into the cell or even the molecules and find the defective point. The third point is that in Iranian traditional medicine, individual differences between people, i.e. temperament, are of fundamental importance.

In order to compare these two schools of medicine, first of all, reforms should be made in the basic and fundamental concepts of these two medicines, at the same time, in order to provide a suitable protocol for the treatment of patients, the combined method of two traditional and popular medicines should be used, which requires a complete understanding of these two medicines.

Wound is a complication that is highly prevalent. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a lipogel formulation containing Rhamnus cathartica L., a native Iranian plant, on wound healing in Wistar rats.

In this experimental study, to find the best lipogel formula, several formulations with different ratios of paraffin, polyethylene and extract were examined. Twenty rats were divided into four groups (n=5), including normal saline, lipogel base, extract lipogel, and active water. Full-thickness wound of 2*2 cm was induced in the ​​ dorsal area. Wound size evaluation and histopathological study were done at days 3, 5, 7, and 12.

The formulation containing 95% paraffin and 5% polyethylene was selected due to better skin coverage, good consistency, and better uniformity. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content of R. cathartica were 4.5 mg/g and 23.415mg/g, respectively. In vivo results indicated significant differences in wound size between the treatment group and other groups (P≤0.05). Histopathology studies showed that the R. cathartica extract had a better effect on collagen deposition, necrosis, fibroblast maturation, and epidermis formation compared with other groups (P≤0.05).

This study showed that lipogel containing the R. cathartica extract was effective in full-thickness wound healing.

Dates are one of the oldest medicinal foods that contain natural sugars (sucrose, glucose, and fructose), vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and high antioxidants. There is a wide range of secondary metabolites in dates including anthocyanins, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acid, procyanidin, and sterols. These bioactive compounds have antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and liver protection properties. This study aims to investigate the medicinal and nutritional values of dates in modern medicine and Iranian traditional medicine.

In this review study, data were collected from traditional Iranian-Islamic medicine books (Quran, Makhzan-Al-Adviyeh) and all articles published from 2010 to 2021 in the field of clinical trials on humans and common diseases (Gynecological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal inflammation, and brain disorders) and indexed in online databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Ovid, MagIran) using specialized keywords.

Due to the antioxidant properties (flavonoid and polyphenolic), dates have been recommended for cardiovascular health, fertility, reduction of inflammation, digestive health, and brain health in modern medicine, and for treating weakness, memory instability, fever, pain, nervous disorders, male and female infertility, pertussis, and bladder pain as a sedative, expectorant, laxative, and diuretic product in traditional medicine (Iranian, Greek, Roman, Chinese and Indian). In Quran (Surah Maryam), it has been mentioned that dates fruit strengthens the contractile and cervical muscles in the last months of pregnancy. It also lowers the blood pressure in pregnant women for a short time, which reduces the amount of bleeding during childbirth.

The results of studies indicate the medicinal and nutritional values of dates in improving the metabolic activities, especially the functions of heart, fertility, digestion, and brain.

Statistics show that approximately 15 million referrals to emergency departments in one year were due to limb trauma. Considering the need to know the anatomy and its physiology is essential for understanding the diseases and choosing the correct treatment, this study was a comparative study of traditional medicine's view of lower limb bones and muscles with modern medical ideas.

This research was a library study examining anatomical descriptions in accessible books of traditional medicine such as Tashrih - Mansuri, Hidayat al-Mutaallimin by Abubakr Rabi ibn Ahmad al-Akhawayni al-Bukhari, zakhire-e kharazmshahi, Anatomy Abolhassan Khan, and Ibn Sina's Canon.

Then they were compared with the anatomy of modern science. The results of comparative studies show that the basis of anatomical theories is in line with modern theories of modern medicine. The subtle and anatomical features of the body are expressed and it is interesting that this was at a time when imaging devices were lacking.

 The purpose of this study is to review the medical applications of basil based on traditional medicine sources and its proven effects in medical studies.

 First, reference books and pharmacopoeias of traditional Persian medicine were studied and the mentioned applications and properties for basil were extracted. Then the proven effects of basil were then searched in medical databases including PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. Finally, Persian medicine teachings were discussed according to the available medical evidence.

Ethical Considerations:

 In this research, the ethical principles of library studies, including authenticity of texts, trustworthiness and honesty, have been observed.

 So far, several therapeutic effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, immunomodulatory and hypolipidemic effects have been proven in studies for basil. This plant also enhances memory and cognitive function and reduces anxiety. It has also been effective in some inflammatory skin diseases and acne. In a comparative evaluation, some of the applications mentioned in Persian medicine literature for this plant, have evidence in medical studies.

 Basil as a native and available plant with medical effects in Persian medicine and proven evidence in modern studies can be considered a complementary therapy in the field of research and treatment.

Background and Purpose:

The most common form of leishmaniosis, Cutaneous Leishmaniosis (CL) is one of the ten most important parasitic diseases globally, with Iran being one of the seven endemic areas in the world. This study aimed to investigate effective treatments for Balkhieh in selected Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) texts and to propose appropriate treatment suggestions for research.

A library-based study was performed for prioritization of appropriate herbal treatments for cutaneous leishmaniosis in TPM. Queried terms in traditional medicine books available in the comprehensive library of traditional and Islamic medicine (Noor software) included “Rish-e-balkhi, Josh-e- Baghdadi, Habbe-e Baghdadi, mosquito bite, Sanakhar, Saldane (leishmaniosis) and Leishmaniosis”. Moreover, some prominent manuscripts including the Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb were also searched.

The current study revealed that “Marham-e Esfidaj” had the highest frequency and score consisting of Mordasang, Tinny Whitewash, Oil of Rosa damascena, Cinnamomum camphor and vinegar.

Based on the data presented herein, none of the reviewed traditional medicine sources recommended single-herb therapy for Balkhieh, and all treatments had at least two components. Maybe, three component combinations that scored the highest based on the prioritization method could be a good suggestion for laboratory and clinical research projects in the field of finding appropriate herbal treatments for Balkhieh or cutaneous leishmaniosis.

Background and Purpose:

A paradigmatic reading of medical history results in comprehending the evolution of main concepts based on different paradigms after provoked crises and scientific revolutions in the history of medicine. Basic concepts may fundamentally change in scientific revolutions, i.e., the routine image of phenomena changes in a Gestalt manner. According to modern medicine in the recent century, basic concepts, including causation and explanation, body and physicality, and disease and health have fundamentally changed in the history of medicine. The current study aimed to present and discuss a philosophical image of conceptual incommensurability in the causality concept for emphasizing examples of defining health and disease in different medical paradigms and some models in the scientific revolution of medicine. 

A philosophical analysis was applied to examine the philosophical foundations of medical paradigms. Searching in medical history helps perceive examples of understanding causation and its function. Moreover, both paradigms are discussed in more detail based on a comparative approach with examples.

According to the incommensurability concepts in the science paradigms, simultaneous understanding of the causality concept is considered impossible in traditional-Iranian and modern medicine, i.e., evidence-based medicine.

This study emphasizes the independence of theoretical aspects and practical dimensions of medical paradigms and also deems dialogue and even methodical comparison between paradigms possible, and even necessary; however, this comparison is not a simultaneous communication between both paradigms and demands avoiding methodological confusion.