The Role of Avicenna in Herbal Medicine for Infertility Treatment in The Modern Studies: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Infertility is a significant global health issue, affecting approximately 10–15% of couples worldwide. While modern reproductive medicine has advanced significantly, traditional medical systems continue to offer complementary approaches, particularly through herbal medicine. Avicenna (Ibn Sina, 980–1037 AD), one of the most influential physicians in history, extensively documented herbal treatments for infertility in his seminal work, The Canon of Medicine. However, a systematic evaluation of his contributions within the context of contemporary scientific research is lacking. This systematic review aims to identify, analyze, and evaluate research published till January of 2025 that explores Avicenna’s contributions to herbal medicine for infertility. The study assesses the relevance of these herbal remedies based on modern biomedical literature and their potential applications in current infertility treatments. A comprehensive search was conducted across Scopus scientific databases. The search strategy included a combination of keywords related to Avicenna (Ibn Sina), herbal medicine, and infertility. Studies were screened based on predefined eligibility criteria, including relevance to Avicenna’s documented herbal treatments for infertility. Data extraction focused on the types of herbal remedies, pharmacological mechanisms, and clinical outcomes reported in the literature. The review identifies key herbal treatments described by Avicenna and evaluates their alignment with modern pharmacological research on infertility. Preliminary findings suggest that several of Avicenna’s recommended herbs possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hormone-regulating properties, supporting their potential therapeutic role in reproductive health. However, scientific validation remains limited, and further experimental and clinical studies are needed. Avicenna’s contributions to herbal medicine for infertility remain highly relevant, offering a historical foundation for modern research. This systematic review highlights the need for integrative approaches that bridge traditional and modern medicine to improve infertility treatments. Future studies should focus on experimental validation and clinical trials to establish the efficacy and safety of these herbal remedies.