The School of Traditional Iranian The Definiton, Origin and Advantages

Moshen NASERI*, Mohammad Reza Shams ARDAKANI**

* MD, Ph.D, Assoc. Prof. Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, ** Pharm D. Ph.D, Assoc. Prof. Department of Pharmacogenosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran e-mail: [email protected]

Summary Traditional Iranian Medicine (TIM) consists of the sum total of all the knowledge and practices used in diagnosis, prevention and elimination in Persia from ancient times to now, from generation to generation relying exclusively on practical experience and obser- vation handed down from generation to generation. TIM roots go back to over 2000 years ago and it is not too bold to go even fur- ther and claim that the Persians taught the Greeks the elements of that system of medicine, which has been known ever since as Greek medicine. has special advantages with respect to all the imported medical systems; since it is considered as part of the people's culture; and has a significant role in solving some of the cultural issues of health. Simply, traditional medicine can be a good assistant and help to the scientific and universal medicine. Introduction, development, and promotion of traditional medicine are a respect and honor to the culture and heritage of the people all around the world. Key Words; Traditional Iranian Medicine, Iran, Persia.

The School of TIM Howard-Jones has written in the World Health TIM (1) is a school that views the world as a good Organization (WHO) magazine of 1972 "the most and seeking discipline created by the wise and omnis- important editor of medical books in Islam was Abu cient Almighty (2); and has named the physician a Ali Al Hosein Ibn Sina . His medical book is named due to his dominance and proficiency in dif- Ghanoon; and up to now never a book has been so ferent sciences, and adequate comprehension of the famous; and it has been taught for a period of 500 world. The school of TIM, which its roots go back to years in the European and Asian medical schools" over 2000 years ago; as quoted by , the (4). Gustav Lobonne (1841-1931 AD) has written in English medical historian "was more advanced than his book about Islam and Arab Civilization "up to 15th century, the European scientists did not consider that of Assyria. It is not too bold to go even further any quotation that was not quoted from the Arab and claim that the Persians taught the Greeks the ele- authors as documented. All the European colleges ments of that system of medicine, which has been and universities were in working order on these trans- known ever since as Greek medicine" (3). According lations and the circle of our knowledge were just the to Ibn Khaldoon, Among Persians, rational sciences Muslim sciences for five to six hundred years; and in had a high status. Such sciences had a vast scope some fields of science like medicine, we can say that since Persians' governments were majestic and long- it has remained up to the current period; since the lasting. Words have it that after Darius' murder by writings of has remained in France up to Alexander and the occupation of Kelikiyeh, and the end of the last century and some comments have access to the countless Persian books and sciences, been written about it (5). In their book History of such sciences were passed to the Greeks (4). Medicine, Meyer Steinegg and Karl Sudhoff have The stars of Islamic and Iranian medicine as Ibn written "the effects of the Razi medicine in the Sina, Razi, Ali Ibn Abbas Raban Tabari, Majoosi European medicine was prevailing for consecutive Ahwazi, Ibn Abi al Sadegh Neishabouri, Seyed centuries. His great book Alhavi fetteb has been Ismail Jorjani held the leadership of medical schools translated into Latin and for a long period it was the in west and east at least for 5 centuries. Dr. Norman reference for the scholars of medical sciences" (6).

JISHIM 2004, 3 17 Moshen NASERI THE SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL IRANIAN MEDICINE Mohammad Reza Shams ARDAKANI THE DEFINITON, ORIGIN AND ADVANTAGES TIM not only transmitted the medical sciences of development of traditional medicine in 1978. In this the ancient civilizations in a modern and compiled declaration the brief definition of traditional medi- manner to the next generations; rather, the scientists cine is as follows: "The sum total of all the knowl- of this school were the founders and pioneers of the edge and practices, whether explicable or not, used in observation method and scientific experiment. diagnosis, prevention and elimination of physical, Avicenna explained the importance of clinical trials mental or social imbalance and relying exclusively in addition to animal studies as proof of efficacy of on practical experience and observation handed down drug. Ex professor Nayyar Wasti, who was one of the from generation to generation, whether verbally or in leaders of Pakistan traditional medicine has written writing" (10). In 2002 AD, WHO has described tradi- about the importance of the role of Iran in the devel- tional medicine with more details as: "Traditional opment of traditional medicine in the world: medicine is a comprehensive term used to refer both "Therefore, traditional medicine is Middle East med- to TM systems such as traditional Chinese medicine, icine, specially Persian medicine; since a number of Indian and Arabic , and to the expert and famous professors in the field were various forms of indigenous medicine. Traditional from Iran; and the medicine has been developed and medicine therapies include medication therapies- if promoted more in Iran and has been expanded all they involve use of herbal , animal parts over the world by these authors. In the semi-conti- and/or minerals- and non-medication therapies - if nent of Pakistan and India, the books of Razi, Ibn they are carried out primarily without the use of med- Sina, and Molla Nafiss are still being studied in the ication, as in the case of acupuncture, manual thera- medical courses; and day and night the names of pies and spiritual therapies-. In countries where the these proficient and competent Iranian physicians are dominant system is based on allopathic repeated; and thousands of thousands of patients are medicine, or where Traditional medicine has not been treated and cured by this method. Therefore, the gov- incorporated into the national health care system, ernment of Pakistan has approved some laws to pro- Traditional medicine is often termed complementary, mote and develop this technique" (7). Furthermore, alternative or non-conventional medicine" (9). Hakim Syed Zillur Raman has written about the role Considering the above definitions, we can divide of Iranian physicians and scientists in the develoment TIM in to two sections: of medical sciences in Indai: "A number of great Iranian physicians such as Abu Fateh Gillani, A- Written Traditional Medicine: Fathollah Shirazi, Jallaldin Ardestani, Einolmalek This section includes the books and papers of Shirazi, Ali Gillani, Bagher Tabrizi, Mohammad Iranian scientists. That sums up to thousands of vol- Hashem Shirazi, Seyed Mohammad Asfar, Hossein umes. This huge collection contains different books Esfehani who had resided in Indai, brought about the about anatomy, principle of medicine, description of progress of Islamic medicine in India" (8). disease, materia medica, pharmacopoeia, diagnosis, and treatment. Some of them are: "Ghanoon fe Teb "by Definition of Traditional Medicine Ibn Sina, "Sharhe Asbab va Allamat" by Nafiss Ibn Since 30 years ago, in order to implement the slo- Avaz Kermani, "Alhavi" by Mohammad Ebn Zakaria gan "Health for Everybody up to 2000 ", WHO has Razi, "Al Eghraz Al Tabibeh" by Seyed Ismael Jorjani considered the development of traditional medicine. in Persian, "Ketab al Maleki" by Ali Ahvazi, "Al The decision is based on 2 foundations; first, lack of Abnieh An Haghayegh Al Advieh" by Heravi in access of a great number of people to primary Persian, "Kholasseh Al Tajareb" by Baha al Doleh health/medical services, which in some countries Razi Tarashti, and "Ferdows Al Hakameh" by Ali Ibn covers up to 80 per cent of the population; and sec- Raban Tabari; and also professional papers about spe- ond, dissatisfaction from the treatments of modern cial subjects such as "Ressaleh Dar Nabz" by Ibn Sina medicine, specially in relation to chronic diseases in Persian and "Ressaleh Atfal" by Razi, and "Ressaleh and the side effects of chemical drugs (9). On this Afyoonieh" by Emadaldin Shirazi in Persian about basis, WHO published a declaration regarding the specialized issues for treatment of addiction to opium,

18 JISHIM 2004, 3 THE SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL IRANIAN MEDICINE Moshen NASERI THE DEFINITON, ORIGIN AND ADVANTAGES Mohammad Reza Shams ARDAKANI and "Ressaleh Atashak" by Emadodin about syphilis. physicians' services. In the United Kingdom, annual This valuable heritage is a written treasure for the CAM expenditure is estimated at US$ 2300 million researchers in Iran and the world; and by the power of respectively (9). In Canada, it is estimated that a total God, the value and importance of it will be more and of US$ 2400 million was spent in 1997-1997 on more cleared for the humanity. CAM. The global market for traditional therapies stands at US $60 billion a year and is steadily grow- B- Verbal Traditional Medicine: ing (19). Includes the experiments and information that has In Iran, the general statistics regarding the range of been transmitted, heart to heart from a generation to application of traditional medicine and different another generation and contains different health and schools of supplementary medicine are not specified. treatment methods (11). Since Iran has a long histori- However, the studies that were conducted in Isfahan in cal background and civilization, different races, lan- 2000 indicate that during the last 5 years, about 62.5% guages, and climates, it is a country full of verbal med- of the individuals have applied the supplementary ical experiments, opinions, and views; specially medicine methods, at least once a year. Utilization of among the tribes and the residents of this country, that herbs, prayer-therapy, cupping, and acupuncture with due to geographic reasons were difficult to pass; uti- 76.6, 10.1, 9.5, and 5.5 percent, were considered more lization of these medical experiments and treatment than other methods, respectively. The sale of herbal methods were integrated part of the life of people and medicine in Iran was about 7 billion Rials in 1997, the adequate recognition of the untrue and transfer of which has raised to 37 billion Rials in 2000 (Fig. 1). the experiments to the next generation was vital and Since about 50 % of the visits made by the physicians essential. Compiling this part of TIM that nowadays is does not need any drugs, if we use other treatment considered by the people of the world as native botany methods, the consumption of chemical drugs will be (Ethnobotany), native pharmacology (Ehtnopharma- reduced and by exporting drugs we could place the cology), and native medicine () has country in a beneficial path and by this means decrease special significance; and delay and hesitation in col- our dependence; since, there are newer chemical drugs lecting and documentation of them; results in loss of that are certainly becoming more expensive on a daily parts of this valuable experiments; experiments that basis while our country is the origin of traditional may contain the key for solution of some of the med- medicine and variety of herbs with lots of medical fea- ical intricate questions (12-14). tures, variety, and high quality are considered as our valuable capitals (17). Reasons for Restoration of TIM 2- Simple Access and Low Cost 1- Economic Role There is a good drug variety in TIM; and usually In many developed countries, certain CAM there are a number of medicine for each disease, as (Complementary ) therapies are prophet Mohammad (S) says "God didn't put any dis- very popular. Various government and non-govern- ease, but put for it many drugs" and this originates in ment reports state that the percentage of the popula- the mercy of God, so that the servants would not be tion that has used CAM is 46% in Australia, 49% in in trouble to maintain a drug, which is a genuine need France and 70% in Canada. The budgets allocated for and God says at Quran "and gave you all of you need traditional and CAM are also considerable; so that In exactly" and if a drug is not found in a region and or Malaysia, an estimated US$ 500 million is spent the patient annoyed a medicine; he could get advan- annually on TM/CAM, compared to about US$ 300 tage of other available medicine with the least million on allopathic medicine. In the USA, total expenses; and also if the nature of the patient is used 1997 out-of-pocket CAM expenditure was estimated to a drug and the medicine is no more effective, it at US$ 2700 million, which was comparable to the would be possible to take advantage of other drugs projected 1997 out-of-pocket expenditure for all (18). Drugs, quite often are materials that are avail-

JISHIM 2004, 3 19 Moshen NASERI THE SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL IRANIAN MEDICINE Mohammad Reza Shams ARDAKANI THE DEFINITON, ORIGIN AND ADVANTAGES able, including botanic, mineral, and animal sub- imported systems of medicine in any setting because, stances that are available in the surroundings of the as an integral part of the people's culture, it is partic- environment; and usually could be accessible with ularly effective in solving certain cultural health little expenditures and is not comparable with the problems. It can and does freely contribute to scien- excessive costs of chemical drugs. tific and universal medicine. It's recognition, promo- tion and development would secure for a people's 3- Reliance on Moral Aspects culture and heritage (10). The roots of TIM could be found in Darolhekmah B- Approach-unique and holistic: Traditional and Hozehelmyeh (House of the science and scien- medicine has a holistic approach, viewing man in his tists) and was considered as a means for earning a totality within a wide ecological spectrum, and of low living. A large number of scientists and thinkers, emphasizing the viewpoint that ill health or disease is were learning the beneficial science of medicine brought about by an imbalance, or disequilibrium, of along with studying different sciences to maintain man in his total ecological system and not only by the their own and other people's health; since according causative agent and pathogenic evolution. (10). to the Prophet Mohammad "The best of you are who C- Operational factor: There are some of the benefit more the people" and rendered their efforts in main reasons why traditional medicine needs to be its propagation to the seekers of science; and believed promoted and developed. Perhaps, from the opera- that its moral reward will be their provisions for the tional point of view, the most cogent reason for the road to the afterlife. radical development and promotion of traditional medicine is that it is one of the surest means to 4- Finding new Medicines and achieve total health care coverage of the world popu- Treatment Methods lation, using acceptable, safe and economically feasi- Utilization of traditional experiments increases ble methods, by year 2000. (10). the probability of finding of effective medicine mate- rials up to 40%; this range is about 1% in random researches. Medicines such as Canabinoides, REFERENCES Vincristine, Artemisinin, Opioids and Colchicine, 1. Mosaddegh M., Naghibi F. TIM, past and present, Pilocarpin, Cantharidin, Spinal-Z (22), or other treat- Traditional Medicine and Materia Medica. Volume 1. ment methods such as acupuncture, general anesthe- Tehran, Iran: TMRC, 2002: 2-20. sia, application of traction instrument in replacing the 2. Naseri, Mohsen, Nezam Ahsan, Tahgigh. Better System and dorsal vertebra of spinal columns, and using catheters Research. Razi monthly magazine, February 1991: 47-50. for charging and discharging material in to the vesi- 3. Elgood C. Iran Medical History and the Regions of Eastern ca, take out the fetus by the hydrocephalus that cre- Caliphate, translated by Baher F. Tehran: Amir Kabir ates dystochia? application of gold filament for fixing Publications, 1992: 19. the mobile tooth and using the dental prosthesis that 4. Defa Ali Abdollah. Luminaries of Physics in Islamic Civilization, p 10, quoted from Ibn Khaldoon, Darolfekr has been sculptured from the tooth of the cow are Publications, p 479. undeniable testimonies of this subject. 5. Kahsani M, Pakdaman SJ, Abolghassem. Comparison of Iran Old Medicine with the Modern Medicine. Tehran Reasons for the Promotion of University Publications, 1978: 8-11. Traditional Medicine 6. Najmabadi M. Introduction to the Translation of Stories and Narratives of Almarza Razi, Tehran University Publi- WHO believes (10) there are three points that cations, 1977: 14. have resulted in the development and promotion of 7. Nayyar W. Traditional Medicine, A collection of articles traditional medicine: about TIM, Cultural Studies and Research Organization's Publications, 1983:130. A- Intrinsic qualities: Traditional medicine is 8. Rahman SZ. The Role of Iranian Scholars in the Development already the people's own health care system and well of Islamic Medicine in India, The International Congress of accepted by them. It has certain advantages over in Islam and Iran, Tehran, Iran, 1992.

20 JISHIM 2004, 3 THE SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL IRANIAN MEDICINE Moshen NASERI THE DEFINITON, ORIGIN AND ADVANTAGES Mohammad Reza Shams ARDAKANI 9. "WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005 " Geneva, 16. Official Pharmaceutical Statistics Year 1997-2000, Ministry 2002: 1-3, 43-47 of Health and Medical Education. 10. "The Promotion and Development of Traditional Medicine 17. Bahrami A. Traditional Medicine University will be - Report of WHO Meeting "WHO Report series, NO. 622, Estabished in Iran, Ghods Newspaper Dated July 10th 2002. Switzerland, 1978: 8-13, 36-9 18. Khorassani A, Kabir G. Mahmoodi Publications, 1388, 11. Sezik E, Tabata M. Traditional Medicine in Turkey I. Folk quoted the meaning from pp. 3. Medicine in Northeast Anatolia, Journal of Ethnopharma- 19. WHO Launches the First Global Strategy on Traditional cology, 1991; 35: 191-196. and Alternative Medicine, Press Release WHO/38/ 16 May 12. Folder S. Supplementary Medicine, Seasonal Magazine of 2002: 2. Yonesco Payam. 1967; 143: 16-19. 20. Katzung BG. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 8 edition 13. Goldlee F. Medicinal Plants, Another Man's Poison, BMJ, 2001: 1088-1089. 1992; 305: 1583-1585 21. Nasseri M. Clinical Pharmacology in TIM, Razi Monthly 14. Packer M, Brandt JD. Ophthalmology's Botanical Heritage. Magazine, 1995; 12: 6-12. Survey of Ophthalmology, 1992; 36(5): 357-65. 22. White House Commission on Complementary and Alterna- 15. Zamani A, Mehdizadeh M, Yekta Z. Review the Position of tive Medicine Policy, Final Report, Chapter 5, 2002: 69. Substituting Medicine in the Presentation of Medical serv- ices of Isfahan, 1980. Educational and Research Seasonal Magazine, Better Health, 2001, First Year, No. 1.

JISHIM 2004, 3 21 Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), also known as Persian traditional medicine, Iranian-Islamic traditional medicine (IITM), traditional Iranian medicine (TIM), or simply traditional medicine (Persian: طب سنتی‌ ایرانی tebbe sonnati irÄn​ i) is one of famous and most ancient forms of traditional medicines. Studies and researches reveal that some of the earliest records of history of ancient Iranian medicine can be found in 8,000 to 6,500 B.C.[1] while it is remarkable that Hippocrates, a Greek physician who is considered as one of the outstanding figures in the history of medicine belongs to abou Based on Iranian traditional medicine, the time before the age of 25 to 30 is called the “growth periodâ€,​ with the preponderance of warmness and wetness. To keep teenagers and children healthy it is recommended to consume food stuff with warm and wet Mizaj. Eating bread, meat, rice with bran, and fruits is good for them. However, one should be careful to avoid excessive warmness.[27]. In this period one needs to consume more food and increase their nutrient intake. Eating diverse types of foodstuffs and high quality food is of importance to this age group. Youth. Morteza MojahediAssistant Professor, Traditional Medicine and History of Medical Sciences Research CenterVerified email at mubabol.ac.ir. Roshanak MokaberinejadMD. Ph.D. Assistant Professor. The school of traditional Iranian medicine: The definition, origin and advantages. M Naseri, MRS Ardakani. J Int Soc History Islamic Med 3, 17-21, 2004. 36. 2004. A review on identification mizaj (temperament) indices in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). M Mojahedi. MEDICAL HISTORY 4 (12), 0-0, 2012. 35. 2012. Temperament theory in the iranian traditional medicine and variation in therapeutic responsiveness, based on pharmacogenetics. M Naseri, H Rezaeiazdeh, T Taheripanah, V Naseri. Journal of Islamic and Iranian traditional medicine 1 (3), 237-242, 2010. 35. 2010. Iranian- Islamic traditional medicine (IITM) is an ancient comprehensive medicine school that has a holistic attitude toward human health and disease. Constipation is considered by scholar IITM as the origin of many human disorders. Constipation in Iranian-Islamic Traditional Medicine: The Origin of Diseases. AUTHORS. Mehrdad Zeinalian 1 , Mehdi Eshaghi 2 , Homayoun Naji 3 , Sayed Mohammad Masoud Marandi 4 , Sedigheh Asgary 5 At first, we should know the definition of normal defecation in IITM according which its frequency must be 2 - 3 times per day, after eating each main food, with these properties: color is usually light yellow, fecal odor is neither bad smell nor odorless, and fecal consistency is formless not very loose (as consistency of honey).