Effects of oral Shilajit tablets on sexual function and sexual quality of life among reproductive-aged women : a triple-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: Shilajit is mentioned in the “Kama Sutra” as a potent enhancer of sexual desire. This study aimed to investigate the effects of oral Shilajit tablets on sexual function and sexual quality of life among women of reproductive age. Methods: Forty-eight reproductive-aged women participated in a placebo-controlled triple-blind clinical trial. The intervention group took oral Shilajit tablets (200 mg) twice daily for 60 days and the control group took the placebo. Data collection tools were Sexual Quality of Life-Female and Female Sexual Function Index. Data were collected before the intervention, 30, 60, and 90 days after the start of the study. Results: Forty-three women completed the study. The mean score of total sexual function in the intervention group was significantly higher than before the intervention (P < 0.001). The mean score of sexual function was 28.93 after 90 days in the intervention group while it was 22.09 in the control group. This finding was observed in most domains of the sexual function index. The mean score of sexual quality of life increased after 60 days of intervention in both groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.094). Conclusion: The study indicated that Shilajit, as a complementary therapy, may improve sexual function and most of its domains; while there was no effect on improving the quality of sexual life

Effect of oregano oil (Origanum Vulgare L.) on chronic rhinosinusitis: A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial

341-349According to new investigations, oregano oil nasal spray can be used to treat patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) effectively. The current study examines the incremental effect of oregano oil and the use of Persian medicine lifestyle modification (PML). 75 adult patients with CRS participated in this study; the clinical trial was done in Otolaryngology Clinic of the Fifth Azar Hospital from January 30 to June 25, 2018. A kit including saline bottle, identical PML instruction, and identical nasal sprays containing either oregano oil (intervention group), fluticasone (control group) or sesame oil (placebo group) was given to all participants for 4 weeks. The reduction of mean change in SNOT-22 scores were 51.52 (95% CI, -55.79 to -47.24), 21.60 (95% CI, -25.48 to -17.71) and 11.84 (95% CI, -13.18 to -10.51) points for those in the oregano, fluticasone and placebo group, respectively. The mean difference of oregano to fluticasone and oregano to placebo group were 29.92 (-35.78 to -24.05) to 39.68 (-45.54 to -33.81) point, respectively, in favor of the oregano group. This study shows that oregano oil results in clinically meaningful benefits beyond those of fluticasone and sesame oil for patients with CRS without nasal polyps. Nonetheless, its generalization should be explored further

Determination of Scientific Name of Bitter “Qust”: an Important Controversial Plant Source in the Iranian Medicinal Plants Market for Neurological Complications

Background and objectives: Traditional medicine could provide a hopeful area of research to mitigate the suffering of patients. “Qust” is one of the medicinal plants that are mentioned in Persian Medicine (PM) for treatment of neurological diseases. There is diversity within the scientific name of “Qust” in different references. Some have introduced Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. (Asteraceae), while others have presented Costus speciosus (J. Koenig) Sm. (Costaceae) as “Qust”. Since “Qust” is not endemic in Iran, there is difficulty to access to the whole plant for its identification. Hence, this study has aimed to identify available bitter “Qust” which is composed of roots of the plant in the Iranian market. Methods: Macroscopic characters and microscopic properties of powders and transverse sections of specimens with essential oil analysis of the Indian and one of the Iran herbal market samples using chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were investigated for identification of bitter “Qust”. Results: Microscopic evaluation showed presence of secretory cavities and their specific size, narrow radial rows of conducting tissue alternating with broad medullary rays in the secondary phloem and xylem, presence of inulin, absence of starch and calcium oxalate crystals in the bitter “Qust” particles. Further, positive response was observed to S. costus identifying test. In the analysis of essential oils, active components of S. costus, such as dehydrocostus lactone, were identified in the examined essential oils. Conclusion: According to the results, it could be concluded that bitter “Qust” in Iran herbal market most probably is S. costus

Major and minor criteria for gastric dystemperaments in Persian Medicine: Sari gastric dystemperament criteria-I (SGDC-I)

&#60;div class="msocomtxt" id="com1" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('com1')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('anchor1','com1')"&#62;Background: Gastric disorders are one of the most common human ailments, which impose a huge economic burden on countries. In Persian Medicine (PM), it is possible to predict the susceptibility to gastric diseases with diagnosis of gastric Mizajes (temperaments) and dystemperaments. The semiology of gastric dystemperaments has been investigated in PM textbooks, although the value of each sign and symptom is not mentioned. Consequently, this research is designed to determine the major and minor criteria for classifying gastric dystemperaments on the basis of valid manuscripts and with the help of PM specialists in the present era. Methods: This was a consensus-based study consisting of four phases. In the first phase, reference PM textbooks were studied. Symptoms and signs of gastric dystemperaments were collected and listed in four groups. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews with a sample of PM experts were carried out. Phase three included a focused group discussion with experts. Eventually, findings were integrated from the three study phases in a two-day meeting in Sari City. Results: Selected criteria included eight major and eight minor criteria for hot-cold dystemperament, as well as six major and eight minor criteria for wet-dry gastric dystemperament. Conclusion: Modern lifestyles and the interfering factors are responsible for some changes in diagnostic signs and symptoms according to PM. This was the first step to coordinate PM diagnostic criteria for gastric dystemperaments. Further studies are recommended to reach a unique protocol in the field of PM diagnostics. The next step includes design and validation of national diagnostic tools. &#160

The Effect of Jazar Supplement on Quality of Life and Sexual Function in Postmenopausal Women: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background. Menopause is one of the most critical stages of a woman’s life and is accompanied by symptoms including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, mucus atrophy, and vaginal dryness. Women tend to use complementary and alternative medicine such as herbs rather than hormone replacement therapy to alleviate these symptoms. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Jazar supplement (herbal supplement comprising Vitex, fennel, and carrot seeds) on sexual function, quality of life, and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women. Methods. This study was a randomized clinical trial conducted on ninety postmenopausal women. Participants were randomized to intervention/control groups using block randomization. The intervention group received four Jazar capsules (500 mg each) daily, while the control group received a placebo for eight weeks. Data were gathered using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life (MENQOL) before the intervention and at weeks 4, 8, and 10. Vaginal pH and vaginal maturation index (VMI) were measured before and at the end of the study. Results. Eighty-four women completed the trial, and six women withdrew. There were no remarkable differences between the two groups in terms of quality of life, sexual function, VMI, and vaginal pH at baseline. At the end of the study, participants in the intervention group had a significantly lower score in terms of quality of life P<0.001 and vaginal pH P=0.001, and a higher FSFI P<0.001 and VMI P=0.030 score compared to the control group. Conclusion. Based on the findings of the present study on menopausal women, the Jazar supplement significantly improved quality of life and sexual function and prevented or delayed vaginal atrophy

تأثیر روش‌های مختلف پخت تخم مرغ بر خواص آن از دیدگاه طب ایرانی

Background and Aim:&nbsp;Eggs' nutrients play an important role in different body organs' health such as brain, cardiometabolic system, musculoskeletal system, skin and eyes. In order to maintain the highest nutrient content of an egg, its proper cooking is recommended, but no specific clinical research has been done on the role of the type of cooking an egg on food and health properties. For this reason, this study has collected and discussed the topics related to a variety of methods of cooking an egg based on the texts of Persian Medicine and its comparison with modern nutrition sources. Materials and Methods:&nbsp;The present study is a review in which Persian/ Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) sources were searched in software JamiTib (version 1.5) and Persian electronic banks, sites of PubMed, Google scholar, Science Direct and Embase and websites of health reference of America food and water. Finally, the obtained results' classification and content analysis were done. Findings:&nbsp;In the books of ITM, in addition to referring to the different properties of eggs, different effects of different egg cooking methods have been investigated. The wise of the school of medicine have proposed at least five cooking methods that include very soft boiled, soft boiled, hard boiled; fried and omelet. In the texts healing properties of each case and the quality of digestion in the body were investigated separately. Among the five main methods of cooking eggs, soft boiled eggs' therapeutic and digestive effects are greater emphasized, because of easy digestion leading to better beneficial effects of eggs' yolk. Conclusion:&nbsp;Despite that the wise of Persian Medicine have proposed a variety of methods to cook eggs, easy digestion is one of the most important factors of their decision-making to propose the type of cooking method for therapeutic prescriptions. While in modern nutrition research, regardless of the method of cooking eggs, the effect of its use on diseases such as heart disease or diabetes has been studied. Due to the fact that many mentioned cases of eggs have been confirmed in ITM texts during modern scientific survey, it seems that clinical studies on relevant issues of the eggs in this context are is useful in better understanding therapeutic effects. Please cite this article as:&nbsp;Tabarrai M, Moradi F, Nejatbakhsh F. The Effects of Different Methods of Cooking an Egg on Its Therapeutic Properties from the Perspective of Persian Medicine.&nbsp;Med Hist J&nbsp;2017; 9(32): 7-18.زمینه و هدف: مواد مغذی تخم مرغ در سلامت اعضای مختلف بدن همچون مغز، سیستم قلبی متابولیک، سیستم عضلانی اسکلتی، پوست و چشم‌ها نقش مهمی دارند. جهت حفظ بالاترین محتوای مواد مغذی تخم مرغ، پخت و پز مناسب آن توصیه می‌گردد، اما تحقیقات بالینی خاصی بر نقش نوع پخت تخم مرغ بر خواص غذایی و درمانی آن انجام نشده است. به همین دلیل، این مطالعه به گردآوری و بررسی مباحث مربوط به انواع روش‌های طبخ تخم مرغ بر اساس متون طب ایرانی و مقایسه آن با منابع تغذیه نوین پرداخته است. مواد و روش‌ها‌: بررسی حاضر، یک مطالعه مروری است که در آن منابع طب ایرانی در نرم‌افزار طب‌النور (نسخه 5/1) و بانک‌‌های الکترونیکی فارسی، سایت‌های PubMed، Google Scholar، ScienceDirect، Embase و وب‌سایت‌های مرجع سلامت آب و غذای آمریکا مورد جستجو قرار گرفتند. در نهایت یافته‏‌های به دست‌آمده مورد طبقه‌‏بندی و تحلیل محتوا قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: در کتب طب سنتی ایران، علاوه بر اشاره به خواص قسمت‌های مختلف تخم مرغ، به آثار متفاوت روش‌های متنوع طبخ تخم مرغ پرداخته شده است. حکمای این مکتب طبی، دست کم پنج روش پخت را مطرح نموده‏اند که شامل اندک گرم‌شده، عسلی، سفت آب‌پز، نیم‌رو و خاگینه می‏باشد. در این متون خواص درمانی هر یک از این موارد و کیفیت هضم و گوارش آن‌ها در بدن به تفکیک مورد بررسی قرار گرفته است. از بین پنج روش اصلی پخت تخم مرغ، بر روی اثرات درمانی و گوارشی زرده عسلی تأکید بیشتری وجود دارد، چراکه هضم راحت آن منجر به ظهور بهتر اثرات مفید زرده تخم مرغ می‌شود. نتیجه‌گیری: با وجود آنکه حکمای طب ایرانی، روش‌های متنوعی را برای طبخ تخم مرغ مطرح نموده‏‌اند، راحتی هضم یکی از مهم‌ترین فاکتورهای تصمیم‌گیری آن‌ها برای پیشنهاد نوع روش طبخ جهت تجویزهای درمانی آن می‏باشد. این در حالی است که در تحقیقات تغذیه نوین، بدون توجه به روش پخت تخم مرغ، در مورد تأثیر استفاده از آن در بیماری‌هایی مانند بیماری‌های قلبی یا دیابت مطالعه صورت گرفته است. با توجه به آنکه بسیاری از موارد ذکرشده از تخم مرغ در متون طب ایرانی طی بررسی‌های علمی نوین مورد تأیید قرار گرفته است، به نظر می‏رسد که مطالعات بالینی بر مطالب مرتبط با تخم مرغ در این متون در شناخت بهتر آثار درمانی آن راه‌گشا باشد

The Lifestyle of Breastfeeding Mother, Based on the Teaching of Avicenna (Ibn Sina)

Background:&nbsp; Breast-feeding is considered a global standard. Certainly special strategies have an important role in mother’s success in exclusive feeding of the neonate and preservation of the mother’s health.&nbsp;&nbsp; Healthy lifestyle in mothers can be one of the most effective measures to achieve this success. Unfortunately, due to the great attention to the growth and nutrition of the child in the first year of birth, mother's life style is neglected during lactation. Considering the widespread acceptance and interest in complementary medicine, it seems logical to search in Persian Medicine documents to find a guideline regarding the proposed issue. In Persian Traditional Medicine, a lot of attention has been paid to the lifestyle for all lifetimes, including lactation. In the present study, the views of Avicenna -renowned Iranian scientist- were discussed about the life style of mothers during lactation. Material and Methods: In this study, Al-Qanun fi al-tibb by Avicenna (11th) and for thorough discussion also reviewed the views of a later Iranian scientist, Kholase al-hekma by Mohammad Hossein Aghili Alavi Khorasani (18th) were studied to collect all of information about life style of mothers during lactation. Furthermore, a search in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Sid, Iran doc was done to get related data about this field from 1990-Jan-1 to 2018-Dec-30. Conclusion: Healthy lifestyle during lactation has six main axes. These six axes include air, nutrition, physical activity and massage, sleep and wakefulness, evacuation of harmful substances and maintaining essential ingredients, and psychic movement and repose. In order to the mother would be able to produce adequate milk for the infant and her health would be preserved.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp

Sinusitis and the related remedies in Persian medicine

654-662Sinusitis is a very common inflammatory disorder that is associated with high healthcare spending and impairs life quality. Thus, in this review study, we aimed at discussing the standpoints on its diagnosis, pathophysiology, medication, and perspective management according to Persian Medicine (PM). To this goal, the studies on sinusitis were collected from the selected medical and pharmaceutical textbooks of PM to be then analyzed. A search on databases as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus was also performed to reconfirm the Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial activity of reported herbs. In PM, the term Nazleh and Zokam (NaZ) was used to describe what is now named as sinusitis. It was reported that NaZ contained the substances secreted from paranasal sinuses (Botoun-e-Demaghy). Etiologically, NaZ is classified into warm and cold types. Comparing the symptoms, warm NaZ resembles Allergic rhinitis or acute episode of common cold and cold NaZ is similar to acute/chronic episode of rhinosinusitis. Based on the PM management of this disorder, modification of life style was recommended besides observing the basic treatment rules by using pharmacotherapy and following some simple manipulations. In this review, we tried to explain the medieval scientists’ intervention methods for sinusitis based on their knowledge