Journal of

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Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) scholars have explained the structure and function of each organ based on clinical observations and past experiences. The skin is especially important due to apparent clinical manifestations serving as a convenient diagnosis tool. This study was aimed to evaluate the anatomy and physiology of the skin as presented in ITM School and compare with conventional medicine. Relevant keywords were searched in ITM reference books, Google scholar, PubMed, and Scopus. After extracting the data, the results were classified in terms of concepts and tables.

ITM scholars believe the embryonic origin of skin is similar to nervous tissue. In their view, the skin has a moderate temperament, and is a combination of fibers, nerve ends, muscles and vessels. Among the most important functions of the skin is the sense of touch, body temperature regulation, and excretion of wastes.

In conventional medicine, the skin consists of epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis layers. The embryonic origin of epidermis is the ectoderm. Protection and body temperature regulation, sensory activities, gas exchange, absorption of ultraviolet rays and disposal of excess body electrolytes are considered as the most important skin functions.

Overview of fetal origin, structure and function of the skin between these two schools of medicine interpreted in many ways, revealed many similarities.

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Vitiligo is a common disorder in skin pigmentation and has an important role in patient’s quality of life. It may also cause severe emotional stress which makes its treatment necessary. As conventional therapeutic strategies are ineffective, there is an increasing tendency to use complementary medicine in the management of vitiligo. This article has been written with the aim of describing Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) approach to vitiligo mechanisms, prognosis and natural therapeutics. It is a product of a library study in the main ITM references and also related articles using mentioned keywords.

According to ITM text books human body consists of four substantial humors, each has a very specific quality and quantity. Any excess or deficit of these humors may result in different disorders. Changing in phlegm humor and also improper function of “expulsive faculty” are the main causes of vitiligo from the viewpoint of ITM.

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Pruritus is one of the most common problems that is seen separately or in combination with various diseases and has been studied in various medical schools. Its various aspects including definition, pathogenesis, types and treatments have been elaborated and tailored to the basics of each medical perspective. This study investigates the pruritus from modern and Persian medicine perspective.
This study is a library review focusing on the pruritus. Initially related keywords include pruritus, itching, hekka, hives and wheal was searched among the prestigious scientific and reference textbooks, journals and sites of modern and Persian medicine such as Rook's textbook of dermatology, Habif Clinical dermatology, Al-Qanun fi al-Tibb, Zakhireh Kharazmshahi, Teb-e-Akbari, Khulasah al-Hikmah, Kamel al-Sana'a al-Tebbiya, Exir-e A'zam, Tohfe Al-Momenin and Makhzan-al-Advie. Then the necessary material was collected and classified and finally the present article was compiled.
In both medical schools, the charecteristics and function of the skin are described initially, then the causes and mechanisms of pruritus are defined and explained. To facilitate understanding and presenting the subject, appropriate classificationare presented for each view. Also, for the pruritus treatment, appropriate recommendations have been put forward for each patient or condition.
Generally, there is not much difference between the two views, but modern medicine is going more specifically through details. While the Persian medicine discusses more comprehensively. The treatment basis in Persian medicine is based on different individual and environmental conditions.