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Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effect of camel milk and Tarangabin (manna of Alhagi maurorum) combination therapy in addition to conventional treatments in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients of 15 to 70 years old, with CKD due to hypertension or diabetes, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15-60 ml/min per 1.73 m2, were enrolled in this trial. The patients were randomized to receive either 400 cc of camel milk with 10 cc of Tarangabin syrup orally in two divided daily doses for 3 months plus conventional therapy or conventional therapy alone. The conventional treatment included diabetes medications and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Results: The baseline characteristics of patients were similar in the two groups. Serum levels of creatinine (p=0.01), blood levels of urea nitrogen (p=0.0001), triglyceride (p=0.02), and potassium (p=0.05), and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.0001) decreased, while eGFR (p=0.001) improved in intervention group significantly. Conclusion: It seems that the therapeutic protocol used in this study can improve renal function in patients with CKD through regulating glucose and anti-inflammatory, laxative, and immunostimulatory properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease with evidence to show that its incidence and prevalence are increasing. Medicinal plants are commonly used to treat CRS. This systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of herbal preparations for treatment of the patients with CRS. Cochran, Embase, ISI, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched until August 1, 2016. Only randomized controlled trials were included. Four randomized controlled trials were included in this systematic review. Various medicinal plants were studied in each article. Inclusion and exclusion criteria, and outcome measures varied among different articles. The results of this trials showed that this special medicinal plants may be effective in the treatment of CRS. No serious reactions were reported during the administration of herbal remedies in the 4 studies. However, trials with a well-designed approach are needed to study the actual safety and efficacy of herbs in the treatment of CRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Depression is one of the five most common diseases in the world. One of the most common biological causes of depression is cold dystemperament of vital spirit (medical), which is based on the traditional Persian medicine (TPM). Medical spirit is steam that has been created from transparent and pure blood and moves various powers in the body. Therefore, we began to design and build a questionnaire based on the principles of TPM to quantify the qualitative data, improve the diagnosis of this disease, and examine its validity and reliability. Methods: The specific objectives of the questionnaire were determined and tree diagram was drawn. A few questions were designed for each of the terminal branches according to branch's score. The questionnaire was given to Persian Medicine experts, based on that the content validity ratio and content validity index were calculated. The reliability was analyzed by SPSS software. Results: According to the tree diagram a question bank including 70 questions was prepared. After face validity correction, 56 questions remained that were given 10 Persian Medicine experts. Based on expert's opinions, questions with CVR <62% and CVI <79% were excluded and 36 questions remained. During data analysis by SPSS software, questions were excluded that reduced internal consistency and Cronbach's alpha coefficient to less than 0.7 and finally 33 questions were approved. Conclusion: Questionnaire "assessment of vital spirit cold dystemperament" is valid and it can be considered as a reliable tool to assess the relevant psychiatric disorders such as depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional constipation (FC) is a common clinical condition without any specific physiological causes with economic cost and adverse effects on patients’ quality of life. The present study aimed to evaluate the causes of nonobstructive constipation in traditional Persian medicine and its prevalence in patients with functional constipation by content analysis of patients’ interviews and clinical exams. In this study, almost two thirds of the patients with functional constipation had mild to severe cold distemperament of the gastrointestinal system, and in almost half of them the signs and symptoms were compatible with dry distemperament of the gastrointestinal. This observational study reports high prevalence of gastrointestinal system distemperaments in patients with functional constipation. According to the results, we can consider the proposed management of distemperaments in traditional Persian medicine for functional constipation treatment and pathophysiology explanation. This project is a novel study that provides the opportunity for investigating the epidemiological aspects of these distemperaments and their relationship with functional constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a common respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperreactivity, and reversible airflow obstruction. Despite current treatments, the prevalence of asthma has increased markedly over decades. According to the theories proposed to explain the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases in integrative medicine, leaky gut syndrome is a phenomenon of increased intestinal permeability due to the disruption of tight junctions and is thought to be related to many chronic diseases, such as food intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, and other autoimmune disease. One of the classical approaches used by integrative physicians to treat leaky gut syndrome is to repair intestinal permeability to prevent allergic cascade. Due to several mechanisms that have been mentioned in the protective effects of plant gums and plantain family seeds on the intestinal epithelium, we can propose an effective management for leaky gut syndrome to treat asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

History of medicine is a treasure of interesting experiences of human-kind to treat diseases. Traditional medicine is a major part of this long history. World Health Organization (WHO) encourages all countries to extend their complementary and traditional medicines and support trained practitioners in this field. This strategy can lead to finding new treatments and opening new horizons to the herbal medicine researchers. Nowadays, a movement toward the integration of traditional and complementary medicine into mainstream medicine is evident. Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) remedies, similar to other branches of complementary and alternative medicine, have been documented to offer the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. According to the principles of ITM, the production of abnormal "Humours" in human body can trigger a process through which a disease occurs. Heartburn is known as "Horqat" in ITM. Phlegmatic Horqat occurs due to the presence of abnormal "Phlegm" in the stomach. Phlegm creates heartburn usually after a meal and at the beginning of gastric digestion. There are several single and compound herbal treatments for Horqat in ITM. In this article, a novel treatment of GERD in Greek and Iranian traditional medicines called Jovārish-e Jālīnūs (Galen's digestive) has been introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. In modern and alternative medicine, numerous medicinal properties of hyssop have been mentioned. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive review, information was obtained from the primary sources of traditional Iranian medicine and other complementary and alternative medical schools. Medical databases were searched for phytochemical, in vitro and in vivo properties of hyssop and its benefits that are mentioned in alternative medicine. Results: In the survey on in vitro and in vivo properties of Hyssopus officinalis, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial, antifungal and antiviral effects, spasmolytic action, asthmatic relief and inhibition of complex carbohydrates digestion were observed. On the other hand, complementary and alternative literature have suggested carminative, sedative, tonic, expectorant, antispasmodic and diuretic properties of Hyssop and its impact on chronic cough, bronchitis and asthma. Conclusion: According to the phytochemical and phytopharmacological properties of this plant, authors suggest its usage in the treatment of some respiratory, intestinal and other disorders that may have not an effective treatment in conventional medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: according to the classification of knowledge in the ancient wisdom, music is one of the branches of mathematics. Some sage physicians believed it as a necessary knowledge in medical education and training. Famous philosophers and physicians, such as Farabi and Ibn Sina, authored professional books and treatises about the theoretical and practical principles of music and its instruments, and some other like Qotb-al-din shirazi, was a proficient lute player. Teachings about medical applications of instrumental and vocal music appear in different types of manuscripts including medical literature, music treatises, mystical essays, and also in the ethnic traditions of Persian people. This study aimed to review the principles of music therapy in health and sickness states based on Persian medicine. Materials and Methods: In this review, different sources including literature of Persian medicine, manuscripts on music, mystical texts, and official reports on ethnic musical traditions were searched. The textual findings were analyzed, classified and interpreted in order to categorize the medical usages of music, and also to discover the main principles and rules of music therapy from the Persian medicine perspective. Results: According to the sources, music could play a pivotal role in maintaining physical health and treatment of some physical and mental ailments. Any medical approach to music should conform to certain rules, and several considerations should be concerned such as the compatibility of rhythms, melodies, and lyric content in accordance with the temperament and biopsychological characteristics of listeners, especially the states of the heart and brain. Conclusion: Despite the changes in the configuration of Persian music, and physical alterations of music instruments in the recent centuries, we could discover new guidelines to apply the current Persian music in health promotion and treatment of some diseases. Therefore, it is recommended that further comparative and interdisciplinary studies be conducted in this regard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Cconstipation is recognized as a widespread digestive disorder that influences the quality of life of affected people. The aim of this study was to review Persian and Chinese traditional medicine about constipation and finding the similarities in its etiology, symptoms and treatments and compare them to modern medicine and presenting a consolidated approach for performing joint research to clarify the mechanism which causes the disease and its effective treatments. Materials and methods: This article is a review study in which the information was collected through searching PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Civilica, and SID. Clinical articles and related text books without any time limits were studied using specific keywords. Data was then compared, analyzed and adapted and finally a conclusion was drawn. Results: In Persian and Chinese traditional medicine constipation causes difficult temperament and has various causes and treatments. Conclusion: The scientific capability of Chinese and Iranian medicine and their common cultural and scientific aspects could help in designing a new pattern for diagnosis and treatment of constipation. A consolidated approach and joint researches are suggested for clarifying some hidden aspects of this complication and its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]