Health Recommendations for the Elderly in the Viewpoint of Traditional Persian Medicine

Abstract

Background: Old age is one of the most important and longest periods of life in human beings. Identifying the effective factors in maintaining and promoting health in the elderly can prevent chronic diseases in this age group. Objective: This study aimed at presenting traditional Persian medicine (TPM) measures for maintaining the elderly's health. Methods: This review article was conducted on traditional Persian medicine textbooks and Noor software to investigate the viewpoints of Iranian and Islamic scholars concerning maintenance of elderly's health. Results: The elderly's age range has been expressed differently in the traditional medicine. However, in most cases, those aged 40 to 60 years and above 60 have been considered as middle-aged and old aged, respectively. Temperament of both age groups are cold and dry, but the elderly suffer from the predominance of wetness in their main organs, which is the sign of attenuating their innate heat compared with the middle age groups. The elderly should use hot and wet foods and drink more frequently and avoid cupping and bloodletting. They should not be isolated and rest alone for long times. Visiting the elderly regularly warrants their mental and physical health; however, frequent and long-time visits may disturb their privacy and should be prohibited. Also, they are recommended not to omit their dinner and sleep early. Frequent intercourses may jeopardise their health and are not recommended. At last, a regular moderate physical activity to maintain their stamina and physical conditions in addition to a healthy diet and good relationship with family and friends should always be considered for this group. Conclusion: Health recommendations cited in traditional Persian medicine sources are usually safe, useful, and practical; thus, using them in everyday life routines of the elderly seems to be beneficial and improve their quality of life. However, rigorous and well-designed clinical trials should be tailored to prove the real efficacy of the aforementioned health measures in quality and life span of the elderly.

Epidemiological factors in patients with dermatologic conditions referring to the clinic of traditional Persian Medicine: A cross‐sectional study

“…Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of the diseases in TPM are considered based on personal characteristics and differences of the patients, as well as their Mizaj 40,41 . In addition, the treatment of patients in TPM begins with giving some general health recommendations with focusing on awaking and sleeping, eating and drinking, resting and the body activity, passing the wastes from the body, and psychological and mental status; then, if it is necessary, it is followed by diet recommendations, herbal and natural remedies administration, and manual therapies, such as massage, dry or wet cupping, leech therapy, etc 42,43 …”

Association Between Geographic Tongue and Personal Temperament Based on the Knowledge of Persian Medicine

“…In terms of the PM approach, age is a variable that affects temperament, as a result, we selected the young age group to control for this effect on temperament (41)(42)(43)(44). Unlike the middle-aged and elderly, young people are hot-wet (45).…”

Association Between Personality Types and Temperament (Mizaj) Based on Persian Medicine

“…They are usually quick-witted and, concurrently, irascible individuals. People with wet and cold-wet temperament brains, on the contrary, react slowly to stimuli and are usually more tolerant and, concurrently, slower in sensory perception (21,23). Amrai et al found a positive relation between spiritual intelligence and conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extroversion.…”