A Narrative Review of Effective Herbal and Traditional Medicines on  Management of Autism

Neda  Orouji; Mehrdad  Karimi; Mitra-Sadat  Sadat-Shirazi; Arman  Zarg aran

doi:10.18502/tim.v9i4.17480

Neda Orouji Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mehrdad Karimi Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mitra-Sadat Sadat-Shirazi Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Arman Zarg aran Department of Traditional Pharmacy, School of Persian Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tim.v9i4.17480

Keywords: Autism; Herbal medicines; Plants; Traditional medicine

Abstract

Autism is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects people from birth. Through dietary approaches, sensory integration, rehabilitation training, education and finally medication management, the autistic disorder symptoms can be reduced. Of course, this does not mean that the main features of autism can be treated in general, but with medication control and education, these symptoms can be managed. In the last decade, treatment with herbal medicines has attracted special attention and promising results have been reported in the treatment of various diseases. In this review, it is tried to collect the plants that have been studied for the treatment of autism and herbal medicines with a possible effect on the symptoms of autism in the literature. The results show some few medicinal herbs and natural/ traditional formulations like Gingko biloba, Centella asiatica, Humulus japonicus, Salvia leriifolia, Vitis vinifera, Hazelnut, Ukgansan and Kwakhyangjungkisanhapyukmijihwangtang-gamibang have beneficial effects on different features of autism and could be helpful for the patients. More investigations are needed to prove their efficacy in more clinical studies in the future.