Background: Asthma is a chronic relapsing airways disease that represents a major public health problem worldwide. With the high incidence of asthma, there has been a surge in the use of complementary therapies, such as compound honey syrup in Traditional Persian Medicine, in the treatment of asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Iranian poly herbal formulation (compound honey syrup) in the treatment of mild to moder­ate pediatric asthma. Materials and Methods: The study was a randomized clinical trial that was conducted on 80 patients with mild to moderate asthma assigned to two groups (n=40 for each group) for eight weeks. Control and experimental groups received classical treatment of asthma with fluticasone spray; in case of worsening of symptoms, salbutamol spray was used for short term. The experimental group also received compound honey syrup (the combina­tion of honey and an extract of the following five medicinal plants: ginger, cinnamon, saf­fron, cardamom, and galangal). Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) items and total scores of ACQ were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: To this end, 72 patients complet­ed this study. There was no significant difference between the experimental and the control groups in baseline data such as age, sex, body mass index, ACQ items, and ACQ scores. Total scores and all items of ACQ, with the exception of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), were significant between groups (P<0.05). No serious adverse effects were ob­served in the two groups. Conclusions: The results of this study reveal that compound honey syrup can be a safe and effective complementary drug for the treatment of pediatric asthma [GMJ.2017;6(4):291-301] DOI: 10.22086/gmj.v6i3.884

Catarrh is a condition that is carefully explained in Iranian traditional medicine. Medieval Iranian physicians used some medicinal plants in the treatment of the catarrh. Some of these substances are used in treatment today, although still more of these materials can be used in modern medicine.In this study we searched known sources of Iranian traditional medicine and collected the ideas of former great scholars and physicians about medicinal plants that are used for treatment of catarrh. Then we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and found 10 medicinal herbs that have the ability to treat catarrh.Plants discussed in this study are consistent with new research and can be used in modern treatments. According to rising bacterial resistance to antibiotics and complications of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs, it seems that the various components of the medicinal herbs can be beneficial in producing new drugs. Also it is hoped that more investigations on medicinal plants will be conducted in the future treatment of catarrh and other diseases related to it.

Alternative medicine has become popular in asthmatic patients. We evaluated the immunomodulatory effects of the SINA 1.2 therapy protocol derived from Persian medicine in an asthmatic mice model. Forty-two male BALB/c mice were divided into six groups: one control (sham) and five sensitized groups (by parenteral injection of 20 μg ovalbumin in 100 μL normal saline plus 50 μL alum on days 1 and 14). Sensitized groups were as: untreated, budesonide (1 mg nebulized budesonide: 200 μg/puff every 5 min for 25 min), dry sauna (30 min, 37°C), oral oxymel (gavaged: 0.2 mL of the syrup plus 0.8 mL of water), and SINA protocol No.1.2 (oxymel followed by sauna) groups. Treatments were given for 10 days from day 23 to 33 then sacrificed. Significant gene expression reduction of interleukin(IL)-4, IL-5, and MUC5AC and increase of interferon(IFN)-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio and decreased perivascular and peribronchial inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and subsequent mucus hypersecretion in SINA group were seen compared to the untreated group. SINA lowered IL-5 and MUC5AC gene expression levels similar to the budesonide and acted better than budesonide in increasing IFN-γ gene expression up to normal level. Compared with the asthma group, sauna alone only affected MUC5AC and IFN-γ gene expressions, and oxymel alone, only reduced IL-4 gene expression, perivascular and peribronchial inflammation, and mucus hypersecretion. It seems that SINA therapy alleviates asthma via immune modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improvement of pathological changes in ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice, supporting the notion of innate healing power mentioned in Persian medicine literature.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. In the conventional medicine, in addition drug therapy, exercise can also improve the respiratory parameters in asthma. In this article the view of Iranian Traditional Medicine (Persian Medicine) scholars on the effect of exercise in asthma is discussed. In this review article subjects related to exercise and asthma by two words ‘‘Riyazat’’ and ‘‘Rabv balghami’’ are collected from the major references of Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) such as Al- Havi, Cannon of medicine, Zakhireh kharazmshahi, Tibbe Akbari, Kholasat al-hekmat, Mojarabat, Al-mokhtarat fi al-tib and Exire Aazam. Many relevant abstracts and articles in the above mentioned areas were selected from Pub Med and Google Scholar which were published during 2003 to 2015. Articles selected for detailed review included review articles and clinical trial studies in humans. In ITM, Asthma is caused due to accumulation of thick secretions (Balghame ghaliz) in the airways. Exercise is recommended as an adjuvant therapy for asthma. In ITM’s view, exercise followed in proper manner, increases the body heat which by diluting the secretions helps the process of expulsion. In ITM, Exercise has an assisting role in the management of asthma, in other words following recommended exercises in their proper conditions can result in improved respiratory functions in patients. Ultimately, ITM recommendations along with modern medical management can improve the quality of life in asthma patients, an interesting subject that demands further research in the future.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract which includes inflammation and obstruction of the airways. Modern medical treatment has side effects in addition to therapeutic effects. According to the high incidence of asthma, the use of complementary therapies has risen, such as compound honey syrup in Traditional Persian medicine and Integrative medicine as a treatment for asthma. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of compound honey syrup in improving the clinical symptoms of adult asthma referred to Loghman hospital. This randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial was performed on 80 patients with asthma symptoms. Patients were divided into two groups of 40 and the study was conducted for 12 weeks. The intervention group received classic asthma treatment and compound honey syrup. The control group also received classic asthma treatments plus placebo. The questionnaire was done by individuals at the beginning and end of the study. At the end of study some factors like night symptoms, morning symptoms, activity limitation, shortness of breath, wheezing, and use of Short Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) were significantly decreased in both groups, but it had a greater extent in the intervention group than in the control group. Difference in total scores and some items of Asthma Control Test (ACT) were significant between groups (P < 0.05). No serious adverse effects were observed in any of the groups. The results of this study demonstrate that compound honey syrup can be a safe and effective drug for the treatment of asthma in adults.

Context: A postnasal drip (PND) or catarrh refers to the drainage of secretions from the paranasal sinuses or nose into the posterior nasal space and the oropharynx. A history of pharyngeal or postnasal mucus build-up may be at odds with the lack of other physical findings and the absence of systematic clinical data. The physiological basis and suitable treatments for PND have been insufficiently recorded in the medical literature. However, Iranian traditional medicine (ITM), which has a history of thousands of years, has discussed in detail the causes, origins, complications, and treatment of catarrh. Communication and cooperation between conventional and traditional medicine can lead to positive steps in solving the ambiguities related to catarrh. The present paper examines the origin of catarrh according to Avicenna and compares it with that described in conventional medicine. Evidence Acquisition: In this study, we examined a major resource of ITM, the Qanoon fi al-teb (The Canon of medicine), by Avicenna and the writings of prominent ancient scholars and physicians on the origins of catarrh. PubMed and Google scholar were also searched for information on PND and catarrh, and they were compared with the catarrh in ITM. Results: Physicians of ITM believe that the main substance in catarrh is discharged from the brain and that it is a connection between the brain and nasopharyngeal space. New scientific findings also confirm the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and catarrh, in common with that described by Avicenna thousands of years ago. Conclusions: Catarrh is a serious condition and requires more investigation. It is hoped that a joint study of conventional and traditional medicine can elucidate different aspects of catarrh.

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Context: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that leads to death at a young age. No definite treatment has yet been found to CF. Therefore, it is important to find new therapeutic and medicinal approaches for CF. Flaxseed is an antioxidant dietary and anti-inflammatory supplement with a high omega-3 fatty acid content. In this article, the mechanism of action potential of Flaxseed as a novel supplemental treatment for CF is discussed. Evidence Acquisition: In this review, we searched Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) that Zakhire-Kharazmshahi and Qanoon fi al-teb are two examples of such sources. Then, from inception to October 2020, data sources including Google Scholar and Pubmed in the English language were comprehensively explored for the mechanism for action potentials of this herbal remedy on CF. Results: Flaxseed may possess effects on CF gastrointestinal disorders due to its properties, including consumer acceptance as a functional food, being the best non-animal reservoir of omega 3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid )ALA(, and soluble fiber, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects with modulating intestinal microbiota. Conclusion: Regarding the mentioned potential mechanisms of action, it could be hypothesized that Flaxseed can serve as a novel medicine for CF.