A review on medical plants advised for neuralgia from the perspective of "canon of medicine"

Abstract

ObjectivesPain is the most common reason for physician consultation in all parts of the world. Neuralgia which is the occurrence of pain in the branches of a single nerve is a kind of chronic pain results from different sensory neural diseases. Although a number of drugs are available to treat pain, including non-steroidal, steroidal, and narcotic drugs, such drugs usually have side-effects like gastrointestinal bleeding over prolonged use, or can be addictive. Hence, the purpose of this study was to introduce medicinal plants and herbs mentioned in Avicenna's Canon for neuralgia. DesignA descriptive review of the relevance of medicinal plants and herbal medicines mentioned in Avicenna's Canon. MethodsThe most important Iranian medical and pharmaceutical manuscript known as Canon of Medicine was investigated. Research was conducted on neuralgia management using medical databases to compare traditional and current neuralgia treatment. ResultsFifteen of the most recommended medical plants on controlling and relieving chronic neural pains, introduced in Canon, were pointed out. ConclusionsMedicinal plants mentioned in the Canon of Medicine such as marshmallow and bitter almond showed anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects in the literature. To evaluate all these plants critically, high methodology randomized controlled clinical trials are advised.