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Persian Medicine

Avicenna's Canon of Medicine systematized ancient Persian healing into one of the most influential medical texts in history.

Iran & Persia

History & Philosophy

Origins

Persian medicine reached its most influential form in Ibn Sina's (Avicenna's) 11th-century Canon of Medicine, which systematized ancient Persian practice together with Greek humoral theory into one of history's most widely used medical texts.

Core philosophy

Like Unani, from which it's closely related, Persian medicine reasons through humoral balance and individual temperament, with the Canon's methodical approach to diagnosis, pharmacology, and clinical trial-like reasoning setting a standard for centuries.

Practiced today

The Canon of Medicine was used as a standard medical textbook in European universities into the 17th century, and Persian medicine continues today as a recognized traditional system within Iran's healthcare framework.

Herbs, foods & remedies

128 herbs traditionally used within Persian Medicine — most often for Digestive Issues, Inflammation, Anxiety.

See all 128

Showing the first 40 of 128 — use “See all” above for the full, filterable list.

Persian Medicine

History & Philosophy

Origins

Core philosophy

Practiced today

Herbs, foods & remedies

Agarwood (Oud Hindi)

Ajwain (Nankhah)

Alkanet (Hanna Barri)

Aloe Vera (Sabr)

Anise (Anisun)

Asafoetida (Angozeh)

Barberry (Zereshk)

Barley (Jou)

Bindweed (Pich-e-Pich)

Birthwort (Zarawand)

Bitter Almond (Badam Talkh)

Black Seed (Siyah Daneh)

Blessed Thistle (Shawk Mubarak)

Borage (Gol-e-Gav Zaban)

Bugle Weed (Lisan al-Thawr)

Calendula (Hamisheh Bahar)

Camphor (Kafur)

Caper (Kabr)

Caraway (Zireh)

Cardamom (Hel)

Castor (Kerchak)

Centaury (Qanturiun)

Chamomile (Babuneh)

Chaste Tree (Agnos)

Chicory (Kasni)

Cinnamon (Darchin)

Clove (Mikhak)

Colchicum (Surmeh Giyah)

Colocynth (Hanzal)

Coriander (Geshniz)

Costus Root (Qost)

Cubeb Pepper (Kababa)

Cumin (Zireh Sabz)

Damask Violet (Banafsaj)

Dandelion (Ghasedak)

Dill (Shevid)

Dodder (Dashisheh)

Doum Palm (Doum)

Dragon's Blood (Khoon Siavash)

Elderflower (Yas Kouh)

Almond

Barberry (Zereshk)

Beet (Choghandar)

Bitter Orange (Narenj)

Carrot (Havij)

Celery (Karafs)

Coriander

Cumin

Damask Rose Fruit (Nasrin)

Date

Dill

Dried Mulberry

Eggplant (Badinjan)

Feijoa (Ananas Guava)

Fenugreek

Fig

Garden Cress (Shahi)

Grape

Honey

Lamb

Lentils

Medlar (Azgil)

Mint

Orache (Salaf)

Parsley

Persian Melon (Kharbozeh)

Persian Plum (Gojeh Sabz)

Pistachio

Pomegranate

Purslane (Khorfeh)

Quince

Rice

Rose Water

Saffron