TEHRAN –For the fourth consecutive year, Iran has ranked fourth in 2023 in the production of science in traditional medicine, according to SCImago Institution Ranking (SIR).

China, the United States, and India were ranked first to third respectively, IRIB reported.

This significant accomplishment shows the dedicated efforts and significant strides that have been taken to revive traditional medicine and its high position in the country's health system, IRIB quoted Nafiseh Hosseini-Yekta, the director of the health ministry’s Persian medicine office, as saying.

To reach a higher position in the field of science production, she stressed the necessity for increased efforts, and Persian medicine should be regarded as a key research strategy by all relevant institutions, she added.

Persian medicine is not fully known yet, but its potential for further growth is substantial.

By conducting rigorous scientific studies and in-depth research, it is possible to pave the way to benefit from Persian traditional medicine in the health system more widely.

This prestigious ranking promises a bright future and a positive outlook for improving the health of society, Hosseini-Yekta noted.

Persian medicine office is planning to improve this standing in the coming years by using the capacity of all academic institutions and research centers in the field, to attain first position in the not-too-distant future.

Persian traditional medicine

For the time being, 48 government-owned and 19 privately-owned traditional medicine centers are offering services, Hosseini-Yekta noted, saying that more than 32,300 individuals referred to the centers the Iranian calendar year 1401 (March 2022-March 2023).

More than 100 research and technology projects on the development of traditional medicine have been implemented in the country.

In this line, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology has supported the printing and publishing of books and encyclopedias on Iranian traditional medicine, IRNA reported.

Over 17,000 books have so far been published about Persian traditional medicine, which has been recognized by the World Health Organization, Hosseini-Yekta noted.

Iranian traditional medicine strongly focuses on prioritizing health maintenance and disease prevention over treatment.

In this regard, over 300 medicines are made out of 1,200 medicinal plants in the country.

The production of medicines from plants in the country dates back to 1980.

About 4,400 natural products and over 2,000 traditional products are being supplied by domestic companies to the market.

So far, about 30,000 plant species have been identified in the world, with Iran's share of about 8,000 species which is more than the whole of species found in Europe.

Draft on traditional medicine strategy

In November 2023, Iran attended the World Health Organization’s consultative sessions on developing a draft of a new traditional medicine strategy as the only representative from West Asia.

The event took place from November 27- 30, 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland, IRIB reported.

Arman Zargaran, Iran's advisor to the traditional medicine office at the Ministry of Health, participated in the event at the invitation of the WHO headquarters in Geneva.

He considered the presence of Iran in this meeting as the only representative from West Asia to be important both from the point of view of Iran's global reputation in traditional medicine and also as a unique opportunity to apply the viewpoints of Iran and Iranian medicine in preparing the most important universal draft of traditional medicine strategy.

It should be noted that WHO’s current document of traditional medicine strategy (2014-2023) has been extended until 2025, and the document being written would be reviewed for approval after its finalization in the upcoming General Assembly of the World Health Organization.

MT/MG