Fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms of
multiple sclerosis (MS), and its definite pathophysiology is unclear. Studies have suggested some correlates for it including dysfunction or
atrophy in different parts of the brain. This narrative review study compares the viewpoint of conventional medicine and
Persian medicine (PM) about
fatigue due to MS and introduces the treatments used for this complaint in PM with an evidence-based approach. PM scholars have used the term I'ya equal to
fatigue and stated that I'ya might be due to exertion or not, while the latter (spontaneous I'ya) can be prodromal of a disease. This pathologic
fatigue can be seen in a wide variety of neurologic diseases, though it is the most common in MS patients.
Fatigue in MS can be considered one of the equivalents of spontaneous I'ya. According to PM texts, neurotonic herbs like Ferula, Citrus medica, Asarum europaeum, Ficus carica, and Juglans regia may be beneficial in alleviating
fatigue by brain reinforcement. Different pharmacological mechanisms have been introduced for these plants including
antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activities. The medicinal plants can be assumed as a valuable source for discovering new medicines for
fatigue in MS. Designing preclinical and clinical studies evaluating the effects of mentioned medicinal herbs in
fatigue is proposed for obtaining more conclusive results.