Sweating as a Preventive Care and Treatment Strategy in Traditional Persian Medicine

Authors

  • Mahboubeh Mahlouji 1. Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 
 2. Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
  • Mahdi Alizadeh Vaghasloo 3. School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Majid Dadmehr 4. School of Persian Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Hossein Rezaeizadeh 3. School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Esmaeil Nazem 3. School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Haleh Tajadini 1. Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 
 2.Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v9i.2003

Keywords:

Traditional Persian Medicine; Sweating; Diaphoretic Herbs; Herbal Medicine

Abstract

Proper and regular sweating plays a significant thermoregulatory role. It is a common perception that, sweating has other important homeostatic functions such as clearance of excessive micronutrients, waste products of metabolic processes, and toxins from the body, which helps to maintain human good health. In addition, sweating, thermotherapy, and sauna are commonly used to treat various diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory and joint diseases. In traditional Persian medicine (PM) textbooks, sweating is considered a preventive care and treatment strategy as well. In this study, we aim to explain the beneficial effects of sweating in human health and its role in the management of various diseases, as well as introducing the therapeutic applications of some diaphoretic plants from the viewpoint of PM. We reviewed the most famous PM textbooks such as Kamil al-Sinaa al-Tibbiya, Al-QÄnÅ«n fÄ« al-Tibb, Zakhireye Kharazmshahi, Kholasat al-Hikmat, Exir-e-Azam, and Hifzos-sihhat-e Naseri. Also, current evidence was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and other relevant databases related to the topic. The results of this study revealed that PM scientists believed proper sweating removes waste products and maintains the body’s health, thus, any disturbances in the excretion of these waste products can cause diseases. They recommended the induction of sweating through hot and dry baths, sun bath, sand bath and also the use of diaphoretic herbs for the management of various diseases. Therefore, further researches are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of these diaphoretic plants. [GMJ.2020;9:e2003]

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Published

2020-12-25

How to Cite

Mahlouji, M., Alizadeh Vaghasloo, M., Dadmehr, M., Rezaeizadeh, H., Nazem, E., & Tajadini, H. (2020). Sweating as a Preventive Care and Treatment Strategy in Traditional Persian Medicine. Galen Medical Journal, 9, e2003. https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v9i.2003

Issue

Vol. 9 (2020): 2020

Section

Historical Review

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