Table 2.
Therapeutic effects of some Persian herbal medicines recommended in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and the supporting evidence
| Scientific name | Common name | Traditional name | Route of consumption | Supporting evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyperus rotundus | Purple nutsedge | Sád | Fumigation | Antimicrobial effect against six important pathogens30 |
| Boswellia carterii | Frankincense | Kondor | Fumigation | Suppression of Influenza virus (H1N1) infectivity by essential oil in a dose-dependent manner in vitro31 |
| Myrtus communis | Myrtle | Mūrd | Fumigation | Treatment of herpes simplex infection by essential oil in animal model32 |
| Rosa damascene | Damask rose | Várd | Fumigation | Antimicrobial activity of oil against a large number of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, yeast and filamentous fungi33 |
| Santalum spp. | Sandalwood | Sandal | Fumigation | Antibacterial activity against Gram-negative strains in vitro34 |
| Ferula asafetida | Asafetida | Heltīt | Inhalation | Antimicrobial activity against five different bacterial strains in vitro35 |
| Berberis vulgaris | Barberries | Zereshk | Oral | Effect against Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli diarrhea; possible use as a mild expectorant during the treatment of chronic airway diseases36 |
| Pyrus malus | Apple | Sīb | Oral | Anti-inflammatory effect on mucous membranes, esp. of the nose or throat (Anticatarrhal)37 |
| Cydonia oblonga | Quinces | Beh | Oral | Antibacterial effect of quince extracts in vitro and in vivo38 |
| Punica granatum | Pomegranates | Ánār | Oral | In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of the peel39 |
| Rheum ribes | Syrian rhubarb | Rīvās | Oral | Antibacterial activity of the ethanol, aqueous, and organic extracts of the root40 |
| Cinnamomum camphora | Camphor | Kāfūr | Oral | Reducing effect on nosocomial infections in a hospital setting41 |
| Terminalia chebula | Myrobalan | Hálīleh | Oral | Inhibiting effect on influenza A virus infections42 |
| Cassia fistula | Amaltas | Folūs | Oral | Antibacterial and antifungal activity43 |
| Allium sativum | Garlic | Sīr | Inhalation | Antimicrobial and immune system-enhancing properties44 |
| Allium cepa | Onion | Pīyāz | Oral/Inhalation | Decreases obesity and subsequently reduces obesity-related immune disorders45 |