|
Keywords
|
Adult, brain, dementia, historical review, memory booster, memory enhancement, saffron
|
|
Abstract
|
In the last century, dementia became one of the most widespread diseases due to the aging world population. Alzheimer’s
disease is the most common type of dementia. Persian medical literatures have discussed disorders such as forgetfulness and
their treatment under the topic “Nesian.” Causes of these medical conditions have been also categorized. Poor memory
and improving its treatment methods have long been important in traditional medical teaching. For example, saffron is one
of the herbs used as a memory enhancer, and it has been cited many times in the related literature. This study sought to
consider the history of saffron in the treatment of dementia by examining authentic books of traditional Persian medicine
and by describing examples of medicinal compounds affecting saffron-based medications. In reviewing these books, in the
eighth century CE, three centuries before Avicenna, Ibn Hakam from Damascus was the first physician who deliberated the
role of saffron in the treatment of dementia in his book Haroniye (Aaron’s book). After him, other great scholars including
IbnSina, Ibn Elias Shirazi, and Dawood ibn Omar Antaki developed saffron-based formulas to improve the memory status of
patients with forgetfulnes
|