The use of Chinese herbal drugs in Islamic medicine

doi:10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60205-9

Abstract

This paper investigates some of the ways that Chinese medicine has been transferred to the Western world and to Islamic territories. During the Golden Age of Islam (8th to 13th century CE), the herbal drug trade promoted significant commercial and scientific exchange between China and the Muslim world. Chinese herbal drugs have been described by medieval Muslim medical scholars such as Tabari (870 CE), Rhazes (925 CE), Haly Abbas (982 CE), Avicenna (1037 CE) and Jurjani (1137 CE). The term al-sin (the Arabic word for China) is used 46 times in Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine in reference to herbal drugs imported from China. Cinnamon (dar sini; “Chinese herb”), wild ginger (asaron), rhubarb (rivand-e sini), nutmeg (basbasa), incense tree wood (ood), cubeb (kababe) and sandalwood (sandal) were the most frequently mentioned Chinese herbs in Islamic medical books. There are also multiple similarities between the clinical uses of these herbs in both medical systems. It appears that Chinese herbal drugs were a major component of the exchange of goods and knowledge between China and the Islamic and later to the Western world amid this era.

Key words: History of medicine, Chinese medicine, Islamic medicine, Herbal drugs, Golden Age of Islam

Mojtaba Heydari, Mohammad Hashem Hashempur, Mohammad Hosein Ayati, Detlev Quintern, Majid Nimrouzi, Seyed Hamdollah Mosavat. The use of Chinese herbal drugs in Islamic medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2015, 13(6): 363-367.

/ / Recommend

Add to citation manager EndNote| Reference Manager|ProCite|BibTeX|RefWorks

URL: http://www.jcimjournal.com/EN/10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60205-9

http://www.jcimjournal.com/EN/Y2015/V13/I6/363

[1]	Modanlou HD . Medical care of children during the golden age of Islamic medicine. Arch Iran Med, 2015,18(4):263-265 pmid: 25841951
[2]	Halberstein RA . Medicinal plants: historical and cross-cultural usage patterns. Ann Epidemiol, 2005,15(9):686-699 doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2005.02.004 pmid: 15921929
[3]	Loewe M . Spices and silk: Aspects of world trade in the first seven centuries of the Christian era. J R Asiat Soc GB Irel, 1971,103(2):166-179 doi: 10.1017/S0035869X0012920X
[4]	Chattopadhyay S, Franke RW. Striving for sustainability: Environmental stress and democratic initiatives in Kerala. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Co. 2006.
[5]	Artzy M . Incense, camels and collared rim jars: desert trade routes and maritime outlets in the second millennium. Oxf J Archaeol, 1994,13(2):121-147 doi: 10.1111/ojoa.1994.13.issue-2
[6]	Yarmohammadi H, Mojahedian MM, Zargaran A . Medicine and economy in Ancient Persia. Res Hist Med, 2012,1(3):91-96
[7]	Boulnois L, Mayhew B . Silk road: Monks, warriors and merchants. Hong Kong: Airphoto International/Odyssey. 2012.
[8]	Liu X . A silk road legacy: The spread of Buddhism and Islam. J World Hist, 2011,22(1):55-81 doi: 10.1353/jwh.2011.0021
[9]	Hays JN . Epidemics and pandemics: their impacts on human history. Chicago: Abc-clio. 2005. doi: 10.1108/09504120610701635
[10]	Sechzer JA . “Islam and woman: Where tradition meets modernity”: History and interpretations of Islamic women’s status. Sex Roles, 2004,51(5-6):263-272 doi: 10.1023/B:SERS.0000046610.16101.e0
[11]	Chaudhuri KN. Trade and civilisation in the Indian Ocean: an economic history from the rise of Islam to 1750. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1985.
[12]	Tibbetts GR . Early Muslim traders in south-east Asia. J Malayan Branch Royal Asiatic Society, 1957,30(1):1-45 doi: 10.1038/234531a0
[13]	Pillsbury BLK . Muslim history in China: a 1300-year chronology. J Muslim Minor Aff, 1981,3(2):10-29 doi: 10.1080/02666958108715833
[14]	Beckwith CI. Empires of the silk road: A history of central Eurasia from the Bronze Age to the present. Princeton: Princeton University Press. 2009.
[15]	Mohammadifar S . The origin, history and trade route of Cinnamon. Tarikh-e-Elm, 2011,8(1):37-51
[16]	Kriger M. Wise leadership in organizations: integrating Eastern and Western paradigms. In: Neal J. Handbook of Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace. New York: Springer. 2013. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5233-1_16
[17]	Sadigh J . al-Ahliladj(Myrobalan)[M]. Qom: Dalil-e Ma, 2007: 121-122
[18]	Heydari M, Shams M, Hashempur MH, Zargaran A, Dalfardi B, Borhani-Haghighi A . The origin of the concept of neuropathic pain in early medieval Persia(9th-12th century). Acta Med Hist Adriat, 2015,13(1 supl):9-22 pmid: 26966748
[19]	Razi M . Gholanj(Colic)[M]. Halab: Halab University, 1983: 214
[20]	Dalfardi B, Yarmohammadi H, Ghanizadeh A . Melancholia in medieval Persian literature: The view of Hidayat of Al-Akhawayni. World J Psychiatry, 2014,4(2):37-41 doi: 10.5498/wjp.v4.i2.37 pmid: 4087154
[21]	Nimroozi M, Salehi A, Mohagheghzadeh A, Kiani H, Imanieh M . Didactic poem in traditional medicine: the study of Avicenna’s poem on medicine. Iran J Med Ethics Hist Med, 2010,4(1):16-24
[22]	Meysari H . Daneshnameh-ye Pezeshki (Medical Encyclopedia).2nd ed [M].Tehran: Tehran University, 1995: 33
[23]	Yarmohammadi H, Dalfardi B, Ghanizadeh A . Joveini: a Persian psychiatrist’s view and management of the insane. Aust N Z J Psychiatry, 2014,48(4):381-382 doi: 10.1177/0004867413514492 pmid: 24270307
[24]	Yarmohammadi H, Dalfardi B, Mehdizadeh A, Haghighat S . Al-Akhawayni, a contributor to medieval Persian knowledge on contraception. Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care, 2013,18(6):435-440 doi: 10.3109/13625187.2013.836176 pmid: 24059592
[25]	Akhaweini R . Hidayat al-Mutallemin Fi al-Tibb(A Scholar’s Guide to Medicine).2nd ed [M].Mashhad: Mashhad University, 1993: 250
[26]	Bukhari H . al-Tanvir(Enlightening) [M]. Tehran: Tehran University, 2009: 86
[27]	Daneshfard B, Yarmohammadi H, Dalfardi B . The origins of the theory of capillary circulation. Int J Cardiol, 2014,172(2):491-492 doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.01.049 pmid: 24485638
[28]	Heydari M, Dalfardi B, Golzari SE, Mosavat SH . Haly Abbas and the early description of obstructive jaundice. Iran J Public Health, 2014,43(8):1161-1162 doi: 10.1177/1420326X13480223 pmid: 25927052
[29]	Ahvazi AA . Kamil al-Sinaa al Tibbiya(Complete Book of the Art of Medicine)[M]. Qom: Ehyaye Teb Institute, 2008: 185
[30]	Zohalinezhad ME, Zarshenas MM . Cardiovascular aspects of erectile dysfunction as outlined by Avicenna. Int J Cardiol, 2014,175(2):e33-e34 doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2014.04.251 pmid: 24829102
[31]	Heydari M, Hashempur MH, Zargaran A . Medicinal aspects of opium as described in Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine. Acta Med Hist Adriat, 2013,11(1):101-112 pmid: 23883087
[32]	IbneSina H . Al-Qanoon fi al-Tibb (The Canon of Medicine). Beirut: Dare Ehia Attorath Al Arabi. 2005. Arabic.
[33]	Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies, Australian Government, AusAID. Trade Information Brief: Spices. [2015-04-25]. .
[34]	Ashayeri N, Abbassian A .R, Janbakhsh S, Sheibani S, Sodagari F, Minaie M.B . The more prevalent medicinal herbs which have been purchased from herbal medicine stores in Tehran, 2008. J Islamic Iran Tradit Med, 2013,3(4):477-482
[35]	Leslie CM, Young A. Paths to Asian medical knowledge (No. 32). California: University of California Press. 1992.
[36]	Klei_optanke F, Ming Z, Qi D . The passage of Chinese medicine to the West. Am J Chin Med, 2001,29(3-4):559-565 doi: 10.1142/S0192415X01000587 pmid: 11789599
[37]	Minavi M . History and culture. 3rd ed. Tehran: Kharazmi. 1978. Persian.

Related Articles 15

[1]	Wan-jun Guo, Yi Wang, Yu Deng, Lin-yan Cheng, Xin Liu, Ruo-fan Xi, Sheng-jie Zhu, Xin-yi Feng, Liang Hua, Kan Ze, Jian-yong Zhu, Dong-jie Guo, Fu-lun Li. Therapeutic effects of the extract of Sancao Formula, a Chinese herbal compound, on imiquimod-induced psoriasis via cysteine-rich protein 61. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(4): 376-384.
[2]	Shang-jin Song, Xuan Liu, Qing Ji, Da-zhi Sun, Li-juan Xiu, Jing-yu Xu, Xiao-qiang Yue. Ziyin Huatan Recipe, a Chinese herbal compound, inhibits migration and invasion of gastric cancer by upregulating RUNX3 expression. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(4): 355-364.
[3]	Marisa Casal. Improving the health and treatment success rates of in vitro fertilization patients with traditional chinese medicine: need for more robust evidence and innovative approaches. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(3): 187-192.
[4]	Ning Guo, Fei Wu, Mei Wu, Yuan Wang, Qing Lang, Xiao Lin, Yi Feng. Progress in the design and quality control of placeboes for clinical trials of traditional Chinese medicine . Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(3): 204-212.
[5]	Yan-jun Lin, Kun-li Jiao, Bo Liu, Lu Fang, Shu Meng. Antiplatelet and myocardial protective effect of shexiang tongxin dropping pill in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(2): 126-134.
[6]	Ofer Baranovitch, Meirav Wolff-Bar, Meora Feinmesser, Chen Sade-Zaltz, Ilan Tsarfaty, Victoria Neiman. Searching for the emotional roots of breast cancer: A cross-disciplinary analysis integrating psychology, Chinese medicine, and oncology biomarkers. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2022, 20(1): 57-64.
[7]	Jia-jia Li, Qing Liang, Guang-chun Sun. Traditional Chinese medicine for prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: A focus on epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(6): 469-477.
[8]	Rui-jin Qiu, Min Li, Jia-yuan Hu, Jing Chen, Hong-cai Shang. Methods for development of a core outcome set for clinical trials integrating traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 389-394.
[9]	Mao-xing Pan, Chui-yang Zheng, Yuan-jun Deng, Kai-rui Tang, Huan Nie, Ji-qian Xie, Dong-dong Liu, Gui-fang Tu, Qin-he Yang, Yu-pei Zhang. Hepatic protective effects of Shenling Baizhu powder, a herbal compound, against inflammatory damage via TLR4/NLRP3 signalling pathway in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease . Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(5): 428-438.
[10]	Ning Zhang, Xiao-he Xiao. Integrative medicine in the era of cancer immunotherapy: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(4): 291-294.
[11]	Thomas Efferth, An-long Xu, Roxana Damiescu, Mita Banerjee, Norbert W. Paul, David Y.W. Lee. Can eastern wisdom resolve western epidemics? Traditional chinese medicine therapies and the opioid crisis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(4): 295-299.
[12]	Hui Chen, Wei Feng, Ye Lu, Yi Yang, Zhong-hai Xin, Man Li, Li Xin, Ying-di Gong. Effects and mechanism of Chinese medicine Jiawei Yupingfeng in a mouse model of allergic rhinitis. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(4): 354-361.
[13]	Si-qi Tang, Yun-liang Wang, Zi-ye Xie, Yang Zhang, Yi Guo, Kang-li Gao, Tang-you Mao, Chun-e Xie, Jun-xiang Li, Xiao-yan Gao. Serum metabolic profiling of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 274-281.
[14]	Miao-yan Shi, Shi-qi Sun, Wei Zhang, Xing Zhang, Gui-hua Xu, Xuan Chen, Zi-jian Su, Xiu-ming Song, Lu-jiong Liu, Yi-bao Zhang, Yi-le Zhang, Meng Sun, Qi Chen, Yan Xue, Hua Lü, Wei-an Yuan, Xiao-rong Chen, Yun-fei Lu. Early therapeutic interventions of traditional Chinese medicine in COVID-19 patients: a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 226-231.
[15]	Shu-jun Wei, Qing-man He, Qing Zhang, Kang-hua Fu, Ruo-lan Li, Wei Peng, Yong-xiang Gao. Traditional Chinese medicine is a useful and promising alternative strategy for treatment of Sjogren's syndrome: A review. Journal of Integrative Medicine, 2021, 19(3): 191-202.

Metrics

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed

Comments

Recommended 10

[1]	Jin-rong Fu. Establishment of multivariate diagnosis and treatment system of modern gynecology of traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 22-24
[2]	Hao Li, Ming-jiang Yao, Wen-ming Zhao, Jie Guan, Lin-lin Cai, Ling Cui. A randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of Huannao Yicong capsule in senile patients with mild cognitive impairment. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 25-31
[3]	Zhi-chun Jin. Problems in establishing clinical guideline for integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 5-8
[4]	SUN Ming-yu, ZUO Jian, DUAN Ji-feng, HAN Jun, FAN Shi-ming, ZHANG Wei, ZHU Li-fang, YAO Ming-hui. Antitumor activities of kushen flavonoids in vivo and in vitro. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 51-59
[5]	Min Cheng, Qiong Feng, Shu-wen Qian, Hui Gao, Cui-qing Zhu. Preliminary assay of p-amyloid binding elements in heart-beneficial recipe. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 68-72
[6]	Ning-qun Wang, Liang-duo Jiang, Zong-xing Li. Research progress in asthma-related quality of life. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2008, 6(1): 93-97
[7]	Jing-yuan Mao, Chang-xiao Liu, Heng-he Wang, Guang-li Wei , Zhen-peng Zhang, Jie Xing, Wang Xian liang , Ying-fei Bi . Effects of Shenmai Injection on serum concentration and pharmacokinetics of digoxin in dogs with heart failure. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1070-1074
[8]	Zhi-mei Wang, Bin Zhang. A study on translation of ellipses in Huangdi Neijing from perspective of hermeneutic theory. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2010, 8(11): 1097-1100
[9]	Gui Yu, Jie Wang. Thinking on building the network cardiovasology of Chinese medicine. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1206-1210
[10]	Pedro Saganha João, Doenitz Christoph, Greten Tobias, Efferth Thomas, J. Greten Henry. Qigong therapy for physiotherapists suffering from burnout: a preliminary study. Journal of Chinese Integrative Medicine, 2012, 10(11): 1233-1239