الهام عمارتکار

 Chlorine gas inhalation is a toxic respiratory irritant associated with high lung complications. Despite its wide industrial and domestic applications such as bleaching detergents, there is no specific treatment for chlorine gas poisoning yet and common standard treatments are mostly supportive. In this regard, this study aimed to find a new treatment for this pathogenesis from the perspective of Persian medicine (PM).

 In this review study, at first, we searched the etiologies and clinical symptoms associated with chlorine gas poisoning in modern medicine and then compared them with similar etiologies and symptoms in valuable Persian medical manuscripts. Then we reviewed the proposed treatments for similar illnesses from the point of view of PM.

 The pathology of lung damage caused by inhalation of chlorine gas is reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS), which leads to dyspnea, hypoxemia, respiratory tract obstruction, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and finally acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In a comparative study, it seems that this pathology has the closest similarity with the Persian term“Varme-e-harr riye”. The treatment strategy for this syndrome in PM is bloodletting at the first and then the application of cold-temperament foods and medications to improve the lungs.

 According to the compatibility of acute pulmonary edema caused by chlorine inhalation and “varam-e-harr riye” in PM, it seems that wet cupping can be considered as a suggested primary and emergency treatment for this pathology in future clinical studies.
Keywords: Reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS), Persian Medicine, Chlorine gas, Acute pulmonary edema

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:

Health and disease are among the most important basic concepts of medicine. However, defining their nature and limits, has faced serious challenges in medical philosophy. The purpose of this article is to explain Avicenna's point of view about health and disease and analyze the current definitions of these concepts based on Avicenna's view.

This study was performed by a deductive approach in grounded theory method. Initially, the concepts of health and disease were studied in conventional medicine and books written by Avicenna. These concepts were then used as initial propositions in a deductive argument to create operational propositions.

Avicenna considers health as an accident and one of the qualities of the soul. He defines it as a habit or disposition that is the cause of normal functions in its subject. He also describes disease as a non-healthy condition and considers the assumption of a third state between the two to be unnecessary. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health to be complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease. Such a definition requires the assumption of a third state between health and disease. According to Avicenna, this means to consider both concepts as existential issues; and eventually excludes a large number of dysfunctions -which are not categorized as known diseases or disease symptoms- from the physician's attention. Avicenna accounts disease as a matter of non-existence and considers any level of dysfunction in any function as a level of disease. 

Based on the Avicennian theoretical framework, limiting the health concept boundaries to an optimal state in various dimensions is the strength point of the WHO definition of health; while its weakness is the lack of elegance to cover all subnormal conditions in all functions, under a broader concept of disease.

Background and Purpose:

Pregnancy has always been considered as a sensitive stage of life with various physiological changes. A separate chapter has been dedicated to pregnancy care in traditional Persian medicine books in order to maintain health and reduce complications. In this regard, exercise is of special importance as one of the principles of maintaining health. In this study, we intend to investigate the effect of exercise during pregnancy in the context of traditional Persian medicine.

In this review study, data was collected and categorized based on purposeful sampling of valid Traditional Medicine books such as Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, Zakhireye Khwarazmshahi, Khulasat al-Hikmah, Mufarriḥ al-Qulūb, Kāmil al-Sinā`a al-Tibbīya, Al-Hawi fi al-Tibb, Tibb-i Akbari. These were compared with findings of modern research from Google Scholar, PubMed, Magiran, IranMedex, Science Direct, Scopus, SID databases between 2005-2021.

In pregnancy measures, maintaining the health of mother and fetus and eliminating body wastes is of crucial importance. Physical activity and exercise are considered as one of the methods of eliminating these wastes, for which different classifications and several benefits have been mentioned. Benefits and appropriate/inappropriate types of exercise during pregnancy have been discussed in this study regarding elimination of pregnancy complications.

Physical activity and appropriate moderate exercise in pregnancy, lead to improved maternal and fetal health and prevent many pregnancy complications. Moreover, taking precautions in exercising during pregnancy and personalizing physical activity based on pre-pregnancy habits is advised.

Background and Purpose:

Sexual function is one of the important components of quality of life, and its disorder can cause damage to interpersonal communication, emotional health and self-esteem. Significant prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its complications make it necessary to take advantage of the views of other medical schools. Persian medicine, as a holistic medicine, has its own views on the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction. The present study addresses the causes of decreased women's libido and their treatment in Persian medicine.

Methods and Materials:

In this narrative review, valid texts of Persian medicine, focusing on the Canon of Medicine, about decreased libido were reviewed and compared the views of conventional medicine in this field.

Persian medicine considers the health of the main organs (heart, brain, liver, and gonads) as a primary and important reason a healthy sexual function. Their reinforcement is also a priority in the treatment.
The etiology of female sexual dysfunction is complicated and multifactorial; it is the result of the interaction of the physiological (biological), psychological and sociological factors. As a primary cause, psychological factors are more important than the other factors. Persian medicine attributes psychological problems to the weakness of the mental and cardiac stamina. It seems that this point may confirm the view of Persian medicine in prioritizing the main organs in diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunction.

This study aims to open new windows in dealing with sexual dysfunction by presenting the diagnostic and therapeutic views of Persian medicine in this disorder and pave the way for clinical research in this area in order to provide practical solutions.

Liver dystemperament is one of the main concepts of Iranian Traditional Medicine. However, the significance of its diagnostic criteria is not clear. The purpose of this study is to determine the major and minor diagnostic criteria of liver dystemperament in Iranian Traditional Medicine. This study is a qualitative study based on a hybrid model or a combination of theoretical and empirical studies. At the theoretical stage, 11 books of the main texts of Iranian Traditional Medicine were reviewed and scientific databases were searched by the keywords "liver" and "temperament" (mizaj) in Persian and English. Then, in order to examine the diagnostic method and the importance of each of the criteria, a semi-structured face-to-face interview was conducted with 16 traditional medicine specialists. The data were analyzed through conventional content analysis. Then, the significance and diagnostic priority of each of the symptoms were assessed through a discussion group featuring 10-12 professors. In this study, six major criteria and six minor criteria were identified for hot and cold dystemperament and eight major and ten minor criteria were identified for wet and dry liver dystemperament. This study is the first study to assess the importance of symptoms from the viewpoint of traditional medicine specialists and can be considered as an important step forward in integrating the methods of traditional Iranian medicine in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Further studies, as well as validation of the proposed diagnostic indicators and tools for liver dystemperament, are recommended.

Headache has a high prevalence. Iranian Traditional medicine is a valuable treasure of the knowledge and experience of our country's scientists and it contains valuable solutions in the field of lifestyle modification for the treatment of diseases called science of Tadabir. The aim of the study was to identify gastric headache managements, what one of the of headache types mentioned in the books of
hokama. This study has been conducted as library method. Recommended strategies of the Iranian traditional Medicine and the scientific evidences of Conventional medicine in the field of headache management were collected and topics were classified in the six necessary principles (setteye zarurieh) are described and presented. Some of the Gastric corporate headache measures, in Iranian Traditional medicine approved by conventional medicine practice. Iranian Traditional medicine has valuable doctrines and strategies for healthy lifestyle and nutrition, in the case of all diseases, especially gastric corporate headache. Use of these measures can be useful in preventing, treating or reducing the number of headache attacks, reducing the duration of headaches, reducing the severity of headaches, and improving the quality of life of patients with headache and paying attention to these strategies will reduce direct and indirect costs of primary headaches.

Breast milk is the first natural food for infants up to 6 months. Insufficient Milk Supply (IMS) is the most common of its discontinuation, which despite efforts, is still at the top of the problems of exclusive breastfeeding. Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) proposed specific approaches for successful lactation, prevention and treatment of breastfeeding problems. This study focused on the causes and approaches to IMS based on ITM and compare it with Classical Medicine.

In this review article the causes and treatments of IMS were searched from ITM references and were analyzed and compared along with studies from ITM and Classical Medicine which collected from medical databases.

Lactation is a neuro-hormonal process that is affected by several psychological and physical factors. The close relationship between the breast, uterus and brain has been proven in both medical doctrines. Causes of IMS can be classified into two main categories: causes of milk-producing source (good blood) and milk-producing organ (breast). Therefor treatment is mainly based on the good blood production through proper nutrition and the other healthy lifestyle principles (Hifz-o-Sihhe), eliminating distemperament and using galactogogues foods and herbal medicines. From the Classical Medicine perspective, the most important cause of IMS is the lack of adequate milk removal often due to improper lactation techniques so the correction of breastfeeding skills and improvement of mother-infant relationship is notable in management of IMS.

By using the ITM perspective along with teaching of breastfeeding skills based on Classical Medicine, more effective management of IMS will be approached.

In Iranian Persian Medicine, allergic rhinitis disease was discussed under catarrh and rhinorrhea (Nazleh Va Zokam) diseases, Abubekr,Mohammad Zacharia, known as Razi, one of the practitioners of Persian Medicine for first time paid to seasonal allergic rhinitis disease in Arabic language article that called Resaleye Al shammiyeh (Article of Smelling) and mentioned presentational and treating methods in it. Persian Medicine has shown distinct managements in this field. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevention of allergic rhinitis based on the Razi and Ibn Sinas’ views. Allergic rhinitis is a common disease of upper respiratory system and imposes a considerable cost to the communities due to its frequency. This disease is a global health problem.
In this paper, comments of Ibn Sina in book of Canon and Razi in Resaleyeh -Al Shamieh to identify methods of prevention of allergic rhinitis have been investigated.
One of the main methods to prevent allergic rhinitis, particularly on Ibn Sina and Razis’ views in Persian Medicine was life style modification. Life style in Persian Medicine contains six essential principles of life and Persian Medicine physicians paid special attention to them.
Prevention in Traditional Persian Medicine as a primary principle is prior to treatment. Lifestyle modification and control and elimination of risk factors can prevent the onset of allergic disease as much as possible and it may be effective in improving patients.

Depression is a common disease that causes disability in affected people. Also it seems that conventional treatments have various side effects and patients face off recurrent relapse. As a fact prevention programs with focus on life style can reduce the prevalence of depression. Sadness that is one of the important Spiritual symptoms and descripted in Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) as inner gradual movement of soul is one of the main diagnostic criteria of depression. In this literature review, the methods of prevention of depression based on health maintaining doctrine of ITM have been evaluated. Valid Traditional Iranian Medicine books and various data bases have been searched. Temperate and fresh weather is one of the basis which helps brain and heart to act their function better. Fast foods and inappropriate diet have a direct relationship with depression incidence. Exhilarant herbs can treat depression. Moderate exercise, waste expulsion, good and suitable sleep and good sexual function are the most important criteria for prevention from depression. The emphasis of ITM on the role of prevention should be considered seriously.

The sexual health is a major factor in the stability of marriage. High prevalence of sexual dysfunction and an undeniable effect on individual diseases, family conflicts and social problems, which led to the increase of divorce in the society therefore prevention of these disorders, is necessary. Iranian traditional medicine as a holistic medicine has specific recommendation in this area. The purpose of this study is to evaluate sexual health opinion from the perspective of traditional medicine in Iran.
In this narrative-descriptive study, authentic texts of traditional medicine, such as "Kamelossanaeh", Canon of Ibn-Sina, Hefzol-sehhe Naseri ... were searched in sex problems with the key words "Bah", "intercourse" and "Mobahi" and then sexual health measures as classified has been provided.
The studies of traditional medicine in the field of sexual health show the important relationship between normal sexual activity and mental and physical health, and correct sexual activity lead to an increase in the physical force and resolved mental illness. Sexual recommendations are including sexual intercourse only with a real desire and in proper time and avoid intercourse in improper time. Other recommendation in this area is the appropriate amount of cohabitation due to the strength of the body, age, season, sex and also use of effective composition for the sexual enhancement.
Discussion & Iranian traditional medicine sexual health education can be an effective step to improve public health and family strength and reduce the incidence of divorce as a social problem.

Iranian Traditional medication is a science which is a combinationof art and sagacity with ancient roots. One of the criteria of Iranian medication is use of poetry for instant learning and easy transfer of medical information to the general public. Thereafter, we can see prominent physicians in Iranian medical history including Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Herawi, who have codified medical books in form of poem. Most of his medical works are written in from of a poem. One of his most prominent works is Jamie-alfawayid. In this study, we have qualitative review of the studies society, Persian medical poems of Muhammad ibn Yusuf al-Herawi and a sample study of Jamie-alfawayid poem. We have done a content analysis of the poem after observations and derivation of its features. The medical poem of Jamie-alfawayid is one of the most numerous manuscripts since the tenth lunar century. . It has been well-known for its significance, briefness and simplicity. One of its prominent features is its concise transfer of medical message and introduction of a hundred and seventy seven diseases along with their cures including: diseases of the head, Psychiatric diseases, diseases of eyes, ear nose and throat, tongue and gum and teeth, lungs, heart, Stomach, liver, intestines, bladder, diabetes, men and women diseases, joint diseases and general body pains such as fevers, swellings and tumors, skin and hair diseases, diseases caused by animal's bites. According to the researches done on other Persian medical poems after the tenth century, this poem has introduced a disease called Ziabitis. Explanation of Persian medical poems is a way to introduce and to document them, which needs to be done for these scientific resources. Moreover, we can work on the texts of the Persian medical poems in order to understand the true meaning of concepts and medical contexts which is the prerequisite of every kind of correction, research or writing.