Suggested Foods Based on the Temperament (Mizaj) of Infertile Women: A Qualitative Content Analysis Based on Persian Medicine Texts

Abstract

 Infertility, affecting approximately 17.5% of the global adult population, is a multifaceted issue influenced by lifestyle and dietary factors. Persian Medicine (PM), as a complementary approach, emphasizes the role of individualized dietary and lifestyle modifications based on temperament (mizaj) in addressing infertility. This study aimed to identify and categorize dietary recommendations for infertile women according to their temperaments, as outlined in authoritative PM texts. A qualitative summative content analysis was conducted using eight key PM texts—including Qanun Fi Teb and Exir-e-Azam from the 9^th to 18^th centuries—alongside electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched. Foods were categorized based on four compound temperaments—cold and dry, cold and wet, warm and dry, and warm and wet—and subcategories such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, and medicinal plants. The analysis highlighted the central role of warming, nutrient-dense foods in improving reproductive health, particularly for cold temperaments. Foods such as lamb, eggs, chickpeas, milk with cinnamon or ginger, and onions were frequently recommended. Conversely, cooling foods like cucumber and lettuce were advised for warm temperaments to achieve balance. The findings underscore PMʼs tailored dietary strategies for enhancing fertility by aligning food recommendations with individual temperaments. This approach offers a complementary pathway to modern infertility treatments by addressing underlying imbalances through personalized nutrition.