The Compote-Like Nutraceutical of Naqoa: A Traditional Cholagogue Agent

Abstract

The system of medieval medicine was based on the four humors (blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm) theory that connected disorders to disturbance of humor balance. Herbal infusions containing fruits in a sugary solvent were one of the preferences when bile exceeded. Current study aimed to introduce the traditional nutraceutical of naqoa and analyze the formulations suited for bilious disorders. Formulations of naqoa were extracted from three main multi-component encyclopedias of Traditional Iranian pharmacy, Qarabadin Salehi, Qarabadin Kabir, and Qarabadin Azam. Fifteen compote-like formulations were selected and analyzed. The scientific names of ingredients were authenticated, and the constituents and pharmacology of highly-used ingredients were discussed. Frequent indications among 53 formulations of naqoa were fever, and bilious disorders such as hot-temperament headache, warmth in liver or stomach, and thirst. Highly-repeated ingredients in naqoa were fruits of Prunus domestica, Ziziphus jujube, Tamarindus indica, Prunus armeniaca, the flower of Viola odorata, and the manna of Alhagi maurorum. All things considered, the compote-like formulation of naqoa is a multi-fruit nutraceutical in a sugary solvent, that has been traditionally prescribed for bilious disorders as an efficient cholagogue.