Factors and Drugs that influence appetite and its relation with humors from the perspective of Persian Traditional Medicine

Appetite disorder and energy imbalance cause weight change and several complications such as obesity or malnutrition. Despite extensive researches on appetite and modifier factors, treatments of appetite disorders are still associated with many problems. This study aims at determining and investigating the relationship between four humors (Akhlat Arbaee) and appetite, causes and drugs affecting appetite referring to the books written by Avicenna, Razes and other Iranian Traditional Medicine Authoritative. This study showed that each natural humors has a specific effect on appetite and any change in the quantity and quality of humors can changes appetite. In addition, every variation in the temperament of organs, such as brain, heart and particularly stomach and liver has a great impact on the change of appetite and by repairing it we can control appetite disorders. There are also many other underlying diseases which can cause changes in appetite. Examining different drugs revealed that many simple substances which exist in drugs (advie mofrade) have a kind of effect on the appetite and can be used in order to control the appetite. According to Iranian traditional medicine viewpoints regarding the issue of appetite and the drugs prescribed to control it, by researching and studying in this field of study, approaches might be revealed to treat appetite disorders.