Review article
https://doi.org/10.31952/amha.16.2.6
THE CURATIVE ROLE OF BITUMEN IN TRADITIONAL PERSIAN MEDICINE
Mahdi Shahriari
; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Farzaneh Zare
; Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Majid Nimrouzi
orcid.org/0000-0003-4630-2082
; School of Traditional Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Abstract
Aim: Bitumen is a natural substance effusing from rocks’ notches in some highland areas; it
has been known as an effective remedy for treating some illnesses. Considering pain relieving
properties of bitumen in traditional Persian medicine (TPM) sources, this study aims to
review the viewpoints of TPM sages regarding bitumen in the context of traditional Persian
medicine. It also provides applicable information for interested researchers to conduct
well-designed clinical trials and evaluate therapeutic effects of bitumen claimed in TPM
sources.
Material and method: Various databases including Embase, SID, IRANDOC, IranMedex,
Scopus and PubMed were searched with keywords “bitumen” and “Shilajit”. Furthermore,
main traditional Persian medicine sources including Avicenna’s “Canon of medicine”,
“Continens Liber” by Razes, “The storehouse of medicaments” by Aghili, “Gift for the faithful”
by Momen Tonekaboni and “Measure for medicine” written by Muhammad Akbar
Shah Arzani were reviewed with Persian keywords “Moomiaii” and “Mumnaei”.
Results: According to TPM sources, bitumen was used by Iranian’s physicians to treat a wide
range of diseases. It was known especially as an effective remedy to improve gastrointestinal
digestive problems.
Conclusion: Bitumen is cited in traditional Persian medicine sources as an effective remedy
for treatment of a wide range of diseases, especially GI disorders and bone pain. Recent studies
showed the beneficial effects of bitumen in treatment of wound healing, however using
it in medical practice for other health dilemma should be confirmed by conducting well-designed
clinical studies in the future.
Keywords
Bitumen; Shilajit; Traditional Persian Medicine; Complementary medicine;
Hrčak ID:
216270
URI
Publication date:
29.10.2018.
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