Author/Authors :
Masoomi، Fatemeh نويسنده Department of Traditional Pharmacy, Iranian Traditional
Medicine Faculty, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR
Iran , , Feyzabadi، Zohre نويسنده School of Persian and Complementary Medicine,Department of Persian Medicine,Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,Mashhad,Iran , , Hamedi ، Shokouhsadat نويسنده Department of Iranian Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Hamedi , Shokouhsadat , Jokar، Assie نويسنده Iranian Traditional Medicine Faculty, Tehran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , , Sadeghpour، Omid نويسنده School of Traditional Iranian Medicine, Iran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , , Toliyat، Tayebeh نويسنده Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran
University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , , Fakheri، Hafez نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Constipation is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal
disorders and is characterized by stiffness of waste and difficult
defecation. In modern medicine, different laxative drugs are used for
the treatment of constipation, but they are not without side effects.
Nonetheless, the appropriate use of herbal medicines can be beneficial
for treating this disorder. Therefore, this study attempted to draw
together some pharmacological and medical insights into the management
of constipation through the use of Iranian traditional medicine (ITM).
In this review article, we initially researched constipation and
laxative herbs using some of the most famous ancient medical and
pharmacological textbooks pertaining to Iranian medicine written from
the 10th to 18th century AD. This includes The canon of medicine by
Avicenna (10th and 11th centuries, Beirut publication), Makhzan-ol-advie
by Aghili (18th century, Tehran University of Medical Science Press),
and Al-shamel by Gharashi (13th century, Caltural foundation
Publication). Then we extracted the names and laxative mechanisms of
some herbs prescribed for constipation through ITM. Finally, a search of
scientific databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar was performed to
find related works concerning laxative mechanisms. In ITM doctrine,
laxatives are weak purgatives that lead to the defecation of waste from
the gastrointestinal tract. From this perspective, laxative herbs can be
classified into two groups based on their nature: laxative herbs with a
hot nature cause the dilution and flowing of humors, but herbs with a
cold nature function as laxatives due to their mucilage properties. Each
of the laxatives was used in accordance with the primary reason for
constipation. This study presents medical and pharmacological approaches
in ITM for dealing with complications arising from constipation.
Considering the optimistic results, these herbs can be used as a means
of constipation management and further investigation into this area can
potentially lead to the formulation of new drugs.
