Background and Aim: Addiction to narcotics represents a complex and pervasive public health disorder with profound physical, psychological, and social consequences. This review aims to identify medicinal plants effective in addiction treatment from the perspective of ITM and to examine their potential mechanisms of action.
Methods: In this review, authoritative ITM sources, including classical books and manuscripts by renowned sages, were combined with recent scientific articles retrieved from both international and national databases using relevant keywords. Inclusion criteria comprised studies reporting the effects of medicinal plants on reducing substance dependence and withdrawal symptoms, alongside credible ITM references, while studies lacking empirical data or relevance were excluded.
Results: Plants such as Melissa officinalis L., Valeriana officinalis L., Borago officinalis L., Crocus sativus L., Cichorium intybus L., Berberis vulgaris L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Mentha spicata L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Zingiber officinale Roscoe have traditionally been used in ITM to modulate temperamental disorders, strengthen the nervous system, reduce anxiety and depression, and cleanse the liver and blood, thereby mitigating withdrawal symptoms.
Conclusion: The application of medicinal plants in ITM may serve as a safe and effective complementary approach for addiction cessation and mitigation of dependency symptoms. Nonetheless, further well-designed, controlled human clinical studies are required to determine appropriate dosages, evaluate potential adverse effects, and substantiate their therapeutic efficacy. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods could open new avenues in addiction treatment and relapse prevention.