Tārīkh-i pizishkī i.e., Medical History

Any nation that wants to move from the present to the future, since its movement is from the known to the unknown, needs to first examine the relationship between the past and the present. It is clear that the acquisition of new information without its historical roots in the past would be weak and unfounded; In other words, it is necessary to conduct any research, study and study the background of that research.

One of the sciences that Iranians have been pioneers in establishing in the world and have played a prominent role in its development throughout history is medical knowledge. The history of medicine in Iran dates back to pre-Islamic times and Jundishapur University is a clear example of this great scientific movement; For many years, this university has been a perfect model for many hospitals and medical schools in the world. Jundishapur University has played an important role in the development of medical knowledge as well as in the history of medicine in Iran and the Islamic world and even in European lands.

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Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disorder characterized by increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia). The classic symptoms of diabetes mellitus include polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss. The texts of Iranian traditional medicine refers to the ziabites disease that its symptoms like to the classic symptoms of diabetes. According to this texts, A study about this disease, in classical medicine and Iranian traditional medicine was performed.

In this research that is a literature review, ten major and valid books of Iranian traditional medicine was investigated. At first, profile of ziabites disease including definitions, causes, types, signs and symptoms, ways of prevention and treatment were extracted from these books. Then in order to obtain scientific material related to classical medicine, major books of internal medicine Was investigated and information about scientific articles obtained by studying some of the Iranian traditional medicine journals and searching through Pubmed, Iranmedex, SID, Google scholar.

According to the survey in Iranian traditional medicine books, the main symptoms of ziabites disease are thirsty and drinking lots of fluids, excessive excretion of urine (Boul), slimming and weight loss (hozal and nahafat). Also, two main causes for this disease is mentioned that includes extreme hot dystemprament of kidneys (the most common) and cold dystemprament of kidneys or all of the body (the rarest) and In Iranian traditional medicine for prevention and control of disease is highly emphasized to applying of six essential principles of life. Also, various  strategies in the treatment (according to the hot and cold dystempramental causes) is recommended that this prevention and control recommendations according to review of scientific articles and texts related to classical medicine are largely confirmed.

Generally, the findings indicate that not only signs and symptoms of diabites and ziabites disease are similar, but also many of the preventional and therapeutical strategies in classical medicine and Iranian traditional medicine, to control of disease are similar.

In addition, according to temperament theory in Iranian traditional medicine, in order to control of disease, different treatments in various temperaments are recommended and same to classical medicine (regardless of temperament theory), the treatments are not performed similar for all individuals.

Appetite disorder and energy imbalance cause weight change and several complications such as obesity or malnutrition. Despite extensive researches on appetite and modifier factors, treatments of appetite disorders are still associated with many problems. This study aims at determining and investigating the relationship between four humors (Akhlat Arbaee) and appetite, causes and drugs affecting appetite referring to the books written by Avicenna, Razes and other Iranian Traditional Medicine Authoritative. This study showed that each natural humors has a specific effect on appetite and any change in the quantity and quality of humors can changes appetite. In addition, every variation in the temperament of organs, such as brain, heart and particularly stomach and liver has a great impact on the change of appetite and by repairing it we can control appetite disorders. There are also many other underlying diseases which can cause changes in appetite. Examining different drugs revealed that many simple substances which exist in drugs (advie mofrade) have a kind of effect on the appetite and can be used in order to control the appetite.

According to Iranian traditional medicine viewpoints regarding the issue of appetite and the drugs prescribed to control it, by researching and studying in this field of study, approaches might be revealed to treat appetite disorders.

Unintended pregnancy is a global problem. Approximately 210 million worldwide pregnancies occur each year that 38% are estimated to be unintended and 22% end to abortion. Unintended pregnancy is associated with substantial expense to health and social services, and emotional distress to women, their families and society as a whole. Also unintended pregnancy has negative health risk factors for mothers and children.

Today there are many different contraceptive methods, but 217 million women have unmet needs for contraceptives yet. Many couples want to prevent or postpone the birth of next child but they do not access to contraceptives, or don’t use contraceptives because of cultural and social obstacles or because of their side effects. Therefore searching and finding new methods for birth control is a permanent necessity. It is expected oncoming methods will be more compatible with culture, test, physical and medical characteristics and life style of couples.

This study is a descriptive review on contraceptives in some of Persian traditional medicine books. Contraception issue in Persian traditional medicine can be divided into 9 parts:

1. Male contraceptives (local methods) 2. Female contraceptives (local and systemic methods)   3. Emergency contraceptives 4. Drugs for sterilization 5. Contraceptives with effect in definite period. 6. Inhaling steam for vagina 7. Contraceptives special for menstruation time 8. Emotional and physical and positional aspects in sex 9. Food dietary before sex for reducing fertility This study indicates that there are many different drugs and substances with many usage methods to prevent pregnancy in Persian traditional medicine, most of them are cheap and easy to access. On the other hand, current contraceptives can’t satisfy all applicant families and many researches are necessary for making newer, easier, and more acceptable and with the less side effect contraceptives.

New clues for producing new contraceptives or promotion of current contraceptives can be achieved through reviewing, researching and clinical trials on traditional contraceptives. In this way human generation will be healthier, happier and more efficient by developing programmed pregnancies.

Constipation is one of the most common side effects of new life style. The use of traditional experience increases the chance to discover new effective medicinal materia and reduce the cost of new drug discovery. Many drugs have now herbal origin. There is no effective and low complication drug for constipation. But, there are so many medicinal materia in Persian Traditional Medicine references that can be used for treatment of constipation that we want to introduce them. This study is a library based and literature review research that  investigates 6 traditional medicine pharmacology reference book (Al-Abnieh, Avicena Canon of medicine, Jamee Ibn-e-Beytar, Tazkere David Antaky, Tohfeh Hakim Momen, Makhzan-al- Advieh) about effectiveness of natural medicinal materia in the treatment of constipation. This work was performed in 9 steps including finding keywords, searching the resources, preparation of a unique list, eliminating synonyms, categorizing, reviewing, aggregation, exclusion of materia medica in combined products, scoring, and sorting them according to obtained scores. 134 proposed natural materials for treatment of constipation were found. Four important materia medica with laxative effect, were on the top of the list with the score of 11 (Prunus domestica, ficus cariaca, Cassia fistula, Cucurbita maxima (.120 medicinal materia are from herbal origin and the rest of them are from organic or mineral sources. This list of medicinal materia can be used as a base for clinical experiments to find new effective drugs for constipation treatment.

Catarrh is a disease that discussed in details in traditional medicine.

 Catarrh falls down to the other parts of the body could lead to congest in the brain, so catarrh can cause lots of problems in people. In some resources of Persian Traditional Medicine, catarrh is mentioned as the main cause of other diseases. In order get familiar with this subject, we tried to study well-known manuscripts of Persian Traditional Medicine and to gather the ideas of former great scholars and physicians. It seems that some issues including rhinitis, sinusitis, post nasal discharge (PND) and their complications are closely related to catarrh. It is hoped that physicians who study Persian Traditional Medicine and other specialists collaborate together to research about this issue and to reveal different dimensions of it, so that they can suggest effective and better treatment for catarrh.

Islamic medicine includes several instructions, which would be helpful in advancement of Muslims if being followed. Some of these instructions are related to different health issues. Miswak or Arak tree (Salvadora persica) belongs to the Salvadoraceae family, and is a plant mentioned in Islamic texts with regard to oral and dental health. The instructions of Islamic medicine about the tree are a major reason for widespread use of the plant in Islamic countries. In this review paper, we addressed the evidence related to the miswak tree using Quran, hadith sources, traditional medicine books, and some modern references. In a part of the paper, we pointed to some Quran interpretations and hadiths with regard to Islamic medicine instructions. The Arabic term in the Quran points to the Arak tree, which has several interpretations. In some hadiths, cure from some diseases and increased wealth have been mentioned as the advantages of the miswak tree. In another part of the paper, the importance of miswak tree in traditional medicine and pharmacy, and the experience of ancient scientists about the tree are mentioned. Finally, some new findings about the medicinal properties of the miswak plant and their main components are provided. It is found that the plant is effective in tooth decay prevention. In studies carried out on people using miswak tree, it has been shown that the need for treatment of plaque and periodontal inflammation is lower in those who use the plant. Following these valuable instructions about the plant would lead to higher personal and public health level. Considering the effects of the Arak tree, including its antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, digestive, and constipating effects, and also with regard to its socioeconomic advantages, it is suggested that using modern technology, the regular use of this plant be encouraged.

Opium is one of the medica material that have an ancient history as a drug. This plant was studied by Persian traditional medicine and along with expression of its medical effects, its complications and non-medicinal usage that leads to addiction was also mentioned. Probably, since 10th century AH opium addiction has become one of the social problems and since the same time Persian traditional scientists have introduced different methods of its treatment. In this study, we first investigate the history of opium and its addiction in Persian traditional medicine books, such as Alhavi and Qanoon and books of scientists before and after them and then we investigate the methods of addiction treatment based on the opinions of Persian traditional scientists. Results of investigations indicate the accuracy of Persian traditional medicine findings about medical effects, side-effects and withdrawal symptoms of opium addiction treatment and their wise approach toward treatment of opium addiction that can greatly help solving this social problem.

Amenorrhea means period termination in three successive cycles or period termination over six months in those who have irregular periods, and oligomenorrhea occurs when delay in period goes over 36 days. "Ehteebas tams or Habs heyz" in Iranian traditional medicine is the equivalent of amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea. The purpose of this paper is to review the anatomic causes of amenorrhea, especially from the perspective of traditional medicine, Avicenna, and comparison with modern medicine. This is a literature review study that investigates views of Avicenna and other reference in Iranian traditional medicine. On the other hand, the contents of modern medicine were collected and compared. Anatomical causes of amenorrhea in aspect of Avicenna and others include: Ratqh, healing the wounds of the uterus, uterine warts, uterine hemorrhoids, uterus protrusion, Mayalan, short size of vagina. These factors were compared with anatomical causes of amenorrhea in modern medicine including: septom of the vagina, Imperforated Haymen, vaginal or cervical or uterine or ovarian hypoplasia or agenesis, Asherman syndrome, cervical stenosis. Many of anatomical causes of amenorrhea in Iranian Traditional medicine is approved in modern medicine but there are also some of the traditional medicine that are not found in modern medicine and today there is need for more research in this area.

Background/Aim: Etiology, pathogenesis, prognosis, clinical approach and treatment of hemorrhoidal disease, which are presented in this article in viewpoint of medieval Persian medicine, are largely different from modern medicine. Although surgery was indicated for some cases, Pharmacologic therapy for hemorrhoidal disease is more extent and varied. This study expands our cognition about some aspects of hemorrhoids and helps us to find new pharmacologic and natural management for hemorrhoidal disease.

Materials and methods: the main valid references of Iranian traditional medicine from 6th to 16th century AD were reviewed. Important points of Iranian physician’s opinion about most aspects of hemorrhoidal disease were noted and then classified. Traditional terminology was interpreted according to traditional medicine dictionaries and text description, staff consultation and analogical study in modern medicine. Results: according to ITM, hemorrhoidal disease mostly has a biochemical nature in pathogenesis. Ten strategic managements were suggested that most of them are medical. Many of these therapies can be evaluated in researches and help us to find new medical therapies for hemorrhoidal disease.

The human body is made of four humors and moderation in the quality and quantity of them can lead to health. If value of one or all humors is high can cause humors dominance and specific diseases related to humor and if some humor less than the amount required may cause diseases and even death. Deficiency of a humor can cause false signs and symptoms of increase the opposite humor so Deficiency of a humor is one of the most important differential diagnosis of humor dominance and if this disorder is not detected and to be treated as a conquering humor not only Improvement does not follow, but may also have undesirable side effects. This subject In Iranian traditional medicine has not been discussed in separate chapters and practitioners have referred to as distributed. This article reviewed the most important books on traditional medicine and expressed practitioner‘s belief about this subject.