Herbal Agents for Weight Loss and Anti-Obesity: A Review of Traditional Iranian Medicine

Objective: Obesity, particularly the accumulation of fat in the abdominal and flank regions, represents a major public health challenge. Beyond aesthetic concerns, it significantly increases the risk of chronic metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Traditional Iranian medicine (TIM) provides a natural, complementary approach to obesity management through a diverse array of medicinal plants. This review aims to identify and summarize the most prominent and frequently used herbal remedies for controlling abdominal and flank obesity in classical TIM sources. Methods: A literature review was conducted using classical TIM manuscripts and authoritative herbal medicine references focused on obesity management. Complementary searches were performed in recognized databases, including ISC, SID, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Magiran, using Persian and English keywords related to “medicinal plants,” “obesity,” and “abdominal and flank fat.” Relevant articles and online sources were collected and analyzed to provide a comprehensive overview of effective herbal interventions. Results: The findings indicate that a wide range of medicinal plants exhibit significant effects on weight reduction and obesity control. Zingiberaceae, including ginger, turmeric, and cardamom; Lamiaceae, such as thyme, savory, and rosemary; and Apiaceae, including celery, ajwain, cumin, and fennel, enhance metabolism and reduce fat accumulation. Asteraceae species, such as chamomile and yarrow, improve digestion and regulate blood sugar, while legumes, including peanuts, soy, and fenugreek, contribute to appetite suppression. Additionally, Rosaceae plants, such as apple, rose, and damask rose, provide antioxidant compounds, and other herbs, including mustard, khakshir, saffron, barberry, black seed, garlic, and lemon balm, exhibit anti-obesity effects through diverse mechanisms. Conclusion: This review underscores that TIM offers a broad spectrum of medicinal plants effective for weight reduction and obesity management. Proposed mechanisms include increased basal metabolism, inhibition of fat absorption, and improved gastrointestinal function. Nonetheless, definitive evidence regarding efficacy and safety requires well-designed, large-scale clinical trials

کلیدواژه ها:

Obesity ، abdominal fat ، medicinal plants ، treatment ، traditional medicine ، Iran