Volume 34, Issue 242 (2-2025)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2025, 34(242): 127-137 |
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Goli Z, Moallemi M, Hosseini A, Jokar A. Investigation of the Etiology and Treatment of Halitosis in Persian Medicine Texts. J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2025; 34 (242) :127-137
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21340-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-21340-en.html
Abstract: (416 Views)
Background and purpose: Halitosis, or bad breath, is a condition in which the smell of a person's breath becomes unpleasant. This condition is not only the third most common reason for dental visits, but it also carries significant social and psychological consequences. Despite considerable advancements in dentistry and medicine, halitosis remains both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Therefore, exploring complementary approaches is necessary. The aim of this study is to investigate the etiology and treatment measures for bad breath in Persian medical texts.
Materials and methods: This study employs qualitative content analysis to examine bad breath in traditional Persian medicine texts. Eight books from the 3rd to 5th centuries A.H., such as the Canon of Medicine Alhavi, etc were sourced from the Noor Digital Library and other electronic resources.
Results: According to the opinions of Persian medical sages, 17 different causes of bad breath were identified, primarily caused by conditions in the mouth, stomach, and lungs. These causes include ulcers, decay, and infection in the mouth, stomach disorders with the accumulation of infectious substances, and lung infections. For treatment, depending on the underlying cause in each case, health measures and lifestyle modifications, as well as single and compound drugs, have been suggested. These treatments include the consumption of celery, cloves, cardamom, and myrtle fresh foliage with seedless raisins, among others.
Conclusion: Persian sages identified oral and dental diseases, as well as gastrointestinal problems, as the main causes of halitosis and treated it based on the underlying cause of bad breath. Some of the causes and treatments from traditional Persian medicine for this condition have been supported and validated by modern scientific research after centuries. Further investigations and clinical trials could pave the way for utilizing this valuable ancestral heritage.
Materials and methods: This study employs qualitative content analysis to examine bad breath in traditional Persian medicine texts. Eight books from the 3rd to 5th centuries A.H., such as the Canon of Medicine Alhavi, etc were sourced from the Noor Digital Library and other electronic resources.
Results: According to the opinions of Persian medical sages, 17 different causes of bad breath were identified, primarily caused by conditions in the mouth, stomach, and lungs. These causes include ulcers, decay, and infection in the mouth, stomach disorders with the accumulation of infectious substances, and lung infections. For treatment, depending on the underlying cause in each case, health measures and lifestyle modifications, as well as single and compound drugs, have been suggested. These treatments include the consumption of celery, cloves, cardamom, and myrtle fresh foliage with seedless raisins, among others.
Conclusion: Persian sages identified oral and dental diseases, as well as gastrointestinal problems, as the main causes of halitosis and treated it based on the underlying cause of bad breath. Some of the causes and treatments from traditional Persian medicine for this condition have been supported and validated by modern scientific research after centuries. Further investigations and clinical trials could pave the way for utilizing this valuable ancestral heritage.
Keywords: bad breath, bakhr-al-fam, halitosis, etiology, traditional medicine, complementary medicine
Subject:
Traditional medicine
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