Abzan, a Simple and Effective Method for Prevention and Treatment of Diseases from the Perspective of Iranian Traditional Medicine

Hydrotherapy has a history of several thousand years. Abzan (Sitz Bath), is a simple device for preventing and treatment of diseases and using hot water has a long history in the treatment of diseases. Due to the lack of specific literature on Abzan therapy, in this study, the explanation of this method was investigated in the context of Iranian traditional medicine and new scientific research. A literature search was performed for Abzan and similar words and synonyms in the comprehensive traditional medicine library of the Noor research center, as well as in the PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, and other Persian journals. Ultimately, information classification and final edition, were carried out. Abzan is specifically referred to a human-sized container filled with hot water. But, in the Iranian medicine, it is referred to placing the body or parts of the body inside the container exposed to air or fluids with different temperatures for therapeutic purposes. The main role of wet Abzan is moisture update, which is most widely used in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with domination of the dry temperament. Hot Abzan (wet or dry), due to its effective role in stimulation of instinct heat and strengthening the body, can be considered alone, as one of the appropriate remedies. The degree of warmth and the duration of stay in Abzan are among the main points affecting treatment outcome. Moisture update, relief and strengthening are three of the main functions of Abzan. Additionally, it used as a means of combining herbal medicines to treat diseases.