Effectiveness of acupuncture and a cumin-based herbal formula on anthropometric indices of overweight patients: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Persian Medicine herbal formula and a Traditional Chinese Medicine intervention (acupuncture) on the improvement of weight and anthropometric indices of overweight patients.

Methods: This study was a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial. A total of 200 overweight patients were randomly divided into 4 groups receiving either (1) Herbal capsule, (2) placebo capsule, (3) acupuncture, or (4) sham acupuncture.

Navigating ethical dilemmas in complementary and alternative medicine: a narrative review.

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is a rapidly growing industry, with millions worldwide seeking these treatments for various ailments. While many CAM therapies have shown promise in improving health outcomes, there are also ethical challenges associated with them. In this article, we explore some of the most pressing ethical issues in CAM, including informed consent, justice in accessibility, and evidence-based therapies.

A comprehensive practical review of acupoint embedding as a semi-permanent acupuncture: A mini review.

Since ancient times, acupuncture has been utilized in the treatment of lots of diseases, as a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupoint embedding (AEM) therapy, known as catgut embedding, is a development of acupuncture that consists of inserting catgut or surgical threads into specific acupoints to produce continuous acupoint stimulation based on the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The remaining thread in the acupoint works as a semi-permanent acupuncture needle that results in decreasing the total time of the treatment which is required for continuous manual acupuncture sessions and increasing the treatment efficacy and patients' satisfaction.

Comparative efficacy of acupuncture, venesection, and physical therapy on chronic low back pain outcomes: a randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) imposes considerable financial and social burden with poor response to medical and surgical treatments. Alternatively, acupuncture and venesection(Fasd) are traditionally used to alleviate nociceptive and musculoskeletal pains. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of acupuncture and venesection on CLBP and patient functionality.

Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Plant-derived Hypoglycemic Medicines: An Systematic Review.

Background: The activation of oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions has been associated with acceleration in diabetes (DM) onset and complications. Despite various anti-DM medications, there is a growing trend to discover inexpensive and effective treatments with low adverse effects from plants as one of the promising sources for drug development.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically investigate the simultaneous anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of plant-derived hypoglycemic medicines in diabetic experimental models.

Efficacy and safety of add-on Viola odorata L. in the treatment of COVID-19: A randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) due to the novel coronavirus has become the highest priority that threatens human health. This situation demands widespread vaccination and the innovation of new therapeutic methods. Despite drug discoveries, the need for approving new medicaments is felt because of adverse effects and lack of efficacy.

Acupuncture or cupping plus standard care versus standard care in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients: An assessor-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Non-pharmacological strategies that have been proposed by complementary medical systems, can be effective in management of COVID-19.

Methods: This study was designed as a three-arm, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A total of 139 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were randomly assigned into three groups: (1) acupuncture (ACUG), (2) cupping (CUPG), and (3) control (CTRG).

Effects of pomegranate supplement on menopausal symptoms and quality of life in menopausal women: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Menopausal symptoms have negative effects on the aspects of quality of life and impose a high cost on the health system. In traditional Persian medicine, pomegranate is recommended to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Material And Methods: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed among 78 healthy women.

Hot and Cold Theory: Evidence in Physiology.

The hot-cold concept is the basis of various traditional medical systems that is expressed under distinct headings, such as Mizaj and the four humors in Persian Medicine, Yin and Yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Tridoṣa ('Vāta', 'Pitta', and 'Kapha') in Ayurveda. Conventional medicine is facing a growing demand for personalized medicine. Therefore, clear and comprehensible information on the foundations and descriptions of traditional medicines, which take the personalized approach toward maintaining health, prevention and treatment of the diseases, may help to accelerate this process.

Efficacy of Persian medicine herbal formulations (capsules and decoction) compared to standard care in patients with COVID-19, a multicenter open-labeled, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Persian medicine has recommended clinical experiences and proper herbal remedies for prevention and treatment of microbial infections and respiratory diseases. An open-label, randomized, controlled, multicenter trial was conducted at five hospitals in Tehran and Isfahan provinces of Iran on 358 hospitalized adult patients. A total of 174 patients received standard care and 184 received herbal remedies (polyherbal decoction every 8 hr and two herbal capsules every 12 hr) plus standard care for 7 days.

Targeting dyslipidemia by herbal medicines: A systematic review of meta-analyses.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The worldwide increasing prevalence of dyslipidemia has become a global health concern. Various herbal remedies have been claimed to be effective for the treatment of dyslipidemia in traditional and folkloric medicine of different regions clinical trials have been conducted to investigate their efficacy. The aim of the current systematic review is to critically assess the meta-analyses of controlled trials (CT) evaluated herb medicines for dyslipidemia.

Effect of rose oil on Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease in comparison with omeprazole: A double-blind controlled trial.

Background And Objective: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as one of the most common ailments of gastrointestinal system diminishes quality of life and impairs physical functioning and work productivity. Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole play a more dominant role in amelioration of GERD symptoms; nonetheless, there is a growing concern about their side effects. According to traditional Persian medicine (TPM), the use of rose oil is recommended to alleviate GERD symptoms.