Persian medicine recommendations for the prevention of pandemics related to the respiratory system: A narrative literature review

Abstract

Background Pandemics of infectious diseases have long been regarded as societal challenges. This study aimed to summarize the theories of Persian medicine for controlling respiratory disease-related pandemics and to compare these theories with the findings of modern medicine. Methods We searched the classic medical reference books of the 9th to 19th centuries for the terms ‘polluted air’ and ‘pandemic’, and we searched 4 databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Scopus) with the keywords ‘COVID-19’, ‘pandemic’, ‘history’, and ‘prevention programs’. The results were collected and subjected to content analysis. Results From the point of view of traditional Iranian physicians, disease prevention is primarily possible by avoiding pathogenic factors. As a secondary solution, reducing one's susceptibility to the disease is crucial; this can be achieved through cleansing the body and strengthening the mood, reducing food intake, decreasing the internal humidity, disinfecting the house with herbal fumigation, and making use of pleasant aromas. Some of these recommendations are reaffirmed by modern research. Conclusion Persian medicine techniques may be preventive during respiratory, influenza-like disease pandemics. However, rigorous studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Correlation Between Anger, Sleep Quality, and Indoor Activities During COVID-19 Quarantine

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The model of clinical reasoning in approach to febrile infectious diseases in medieval Persia

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Efficacy of a Persian herbal medicine compound on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A randomized controlled trial

“… 13 , 14 The search throughout the manuscripts of Persian medicine represented that many medicinal plants have been introduced for preventing or treating respiratory disorders, the relevant pharmacological properties of a significant number of which have been proven in the recent studies. The remedies are potentially valuable options to be evaluated as the natural-based drugs against COVID-19 15 , 16 , 17 .…”