Constipation in Iranian-Islamic Traditional Medicine: The Origin of Diseases

Abstract

Context: Constipation as a common morbidity among people is related to many disorders. 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. This study aimed to describe viewpoints of IITM scholars toward constipation and its management. Evidence Acquisition: The main ancient resources in IITM were reviewed and a structural description was created about constipation and its management. Results: According to IITM, constipation is defined as defecation less than one time daily with firm and dry consistency. It is considered in IITM as a sign of maltempered body that if prolonged, could lead to the accumulation of harmful homors and its associated diseases like cancer. Some general recommendations of IITM help us to prevent and treat constipation; such as chewing food well, avoid of dry cold fiberless diet, regular aerobic exercise, and correction of body temperament. Moreover, diet therapy with high fiber fruits and vegetables, manipulative therapy such as abdominal massage with warm oils, and medication with herbal laxative or purgative drugs are specific therapeutic methods for constipation recommended by IITM scholars. Conclusions: It seems the holistic attitude of IITM toward constipation and comprehensiveness of its recommendations could be considered in health-related interventions and could ensure community health promotion.