Bacterial vaginosis characterized by the loss of normal vaginal flora and the overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Complementary and alternative medicine is often used to help with bacterial vaginosis. In Persian medicine, a person's temperament is very important for diagnosing and treating health issues. This study aimed to assess the body and uterus dystemperaments in patients with bacterial vaginosis. This cross-sectional study was done on 90 married women 18-50 years of age suffering from bacterial vaginosis. To determine the general temperament of the body, Mojahedi questionnaire was employed. For specifying the uterus temperament, standard uterus temperament determination questionnaire was employed. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, as well as inferential statistics through SPSS 24 software. The results showed most patients with bacterial vaginosis had a hot and wet body temperament. Based on the data, in the present sample, less abortion is seen among those with a hot temperament (p=0.04). Also, examination of the uterine temperament in patient with bacterial vaginosis showed most patient had cold and wet temperament. Specifically, 83.3% of the patients had a cold uterine temperament; whereas 16.7% displayed a hot uterine temperament. Regarding moisture, 64.4% had wet, 10.0% had balanced, and 25.6% had dry uterus temperament. According to the results, most patients with bacterial vaginosis showed cold and wet uterus dystemperament. This might suggest there is a connection between the uterus dystemperament and the bacterial vaginosis risk; therefore, more research is needed in integrative health methods.
Water serves a crucial function in a variety of physiological processes, including maintaining hydration, supporting skin integrity, aiding in the excretion of waste through urination, and forming essential components of both saliva and blood. It not only supports the sensitive tissues in the body, aids digestion, and regulates body temperature and blood pressure, but also is essential for critically ill patients. Cold stimuli in the mouth are often pleasurable and satisfy thirst, with cold water being the preferred choice for hydration. This review analyzed English articles up to March 2025 on the effects of cold water on body organs. PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched using keywords related to cold water and ingestion, excluding immersion, sport, and exercise. Original research, reviews, and case reports were included, while non-English studies and out-of-range dates were excluded. "In press" articles and reference lists were also reviewed. Several lines of evidence indicate that cold water consumption has distinct effects on various parts of the body. These parts include metabolism, body temperature, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, nervous system, and urogenital system. This review article summarizes the physiological functions of water within various tissues and organs of the human body. Then, the potential pathophysiological effects of cold water on a variety of body organs and metabolic processes will be clarified.
Bloodletting has been one of the most challenging methods in Western Medicine; however, recent studies showed significant effects of this method. According to the emphasis of Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) on the safety and efficacy of bloodletting, this study aimed to investigate the differences and similarities of phlebotomy between the viewpoint of TPM and Western medicine. The literature review showed that the therapeutic indications of phlebotomy are somehow similar in both views. On the other hand, the phlebotomy performance method, cautions, contraindications, and rules of vein selection are some of the TPM’s particular ideas. Although some phlebotomy indications from Avicenna's perspective are similar to Western Medicine (such as chronic urticaria, fatty liver, hypertension, etc.), his holistic view of using bloodletting in a specific treatment package, besides lifestyle modification and herbal medication, can be evaluated in future studies.
Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) has a long history and is gaining global popularity. In Europe, official regulations are increasingly shaping its practice. Standardized definitions, country-specific core practices, and reporting guidelines are suggested to enhance study quality. This study aims to identify and evaluate key factors influencing the preference for T&CM services provided by informal providers in Türkiye. The study was conducted in Karaman, Türkiye, among informal practitioners, service users, and experts. A purposive sampling method was used, and data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 20 participants. Thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA 18 software, with 680 minutes of recorded interviews transcribed and analyzed. Participants had a mean age of 36 years, 75% had an income at least twice the minimum wage, and 62.5% were male. The most used methods were cupping (hijama), chiropractic intervention, and phytotherapy. Factors influencing T&CM preference included contemporary medicine-based orientations, a positive attitude towards T&CM, a positive attitude towards practitioners, religion-based factors, feelings of helplessness, recollections, and experiences, non-serious conditions, and a lack of awareness or education. Understanding these determinants is crucial for healthcare professionals and managers to integrate T&CM into regulated healthcare settings, ensuring safer and more controlled treatment options.
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted substantial changes in global healthcare, particularly influencing the role of Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM). This study explores the integration and impact of TPM during the COVID-19 crisis in Iran, where TPM was applied alongside conventional treatments. Research from 2019 to August 2022 is classified into four categories: clinical trials, herbal treatment recommendations, perspectives from traditional medicine scholars in the duration of Islamic era, and questionnaire-based studies. Findings demonstrate that TPM interventions, including the use of herbal remedies and personalized approaches based on humoral theory, have contributed effectively to the management of COVID-19 symptoms, including respiratory distress and other viral manifestations. Significant outcomes from clinical trials, case reports, and phytochemical studies highlight the efficacy of specific TPM therapies. Additionally, Iran’s scientific output in complementary and alternative medicine research has increased, elevating its international standing. The study underscores the pandemic’s role in revitalizing societal trust in TPM, as evidenced by high patient satisfaction and increased use of TPM during the pandemic. This surge in reliance on TPM has led to a deeper integration of traditional medicine within Iran’s healthcare system, marking a significant shift in its historical trajectory. The findings suggest that the global health crisis may have long-term implications for the acceptance and utilization of TPM in modern medical practice.
