November 2016, Vol 14, No.6 Journal of Integrative Medicine Journal homepage: www.jcimjournal.com/jim www.elsevier.com/locate/issn/20954964 Available also online at www.sciencedirect.com. Copyright © 2015, Journal of Integrative Medicine Editorial Office. E-edition published by Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2095-4964(16)60278-9 Received June 21, 2016; accepted August 21, 2016. Correspondence: Zahra Jafari, MD; E-mail: z-jafari@razi.tums.ac.ir Review Monireh Sadat Motaharifard 1 , Zahra Jafari 2 , Maryam Sadat Paknejad 1 , Laleh Oveidzadeh 2 , Mehrdad Karimi 1 1. School of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2. Department of Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Iranian Traditional Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran ABSTRACT Constipation is one of the most common complaints of children and a common cause of referrals to pediatricians. Numerous reasons for this disease have been mentioned in the Iranian traditional medicine (ITM). It is believed that this disorder is mostly due to the lack of consideration of the six essential principles (Setteh-ye-Zarurieah), which are necessary to maintain health and prevent disease. In this descriptive study we collected and classified the concepts related to the topic by reviewing reliable ITM text books. Scientific databases were also searched for the most commonly used herbs in the treatment of constipation. The results showed that, from the perspective of ITM, the first step in treating constipation in children is making lifestyle changes. This includes giving appropriate training in the six essential principles, and making modification in existing habits where necessary. In the next steps, using some herbal remedies for topical or oral administration is recommended. On the other hand, a few clinical trials have been done concerning the effects of herbal medicines on pediatric constipation. Therefore, ITM’s preventive and curative strategies can provide an efficient and cost-effective way to address constipation in children. This study can serve as a preface to performing clinical studies in this field. Keywords: children; constipation; Iranian traditional medicine; six essential principles Citation: Motaharifard MS, Jafari Z, Paknejad MS, Oveidzadeh L, Karimi M. Prevention and treatment of constipation in children from the perspective of Iranian traditional medicine. J Integr Med. 2016; 14(6): 429–435. Constipation is a common problem, affecting up to 30% of children, and accounting for an estimated 3%–5% of all visits to pediatricians and 10%–25% referrals to gastroenterology clinics [1] . Constipation has been accounted for a prevalence rate of up to 43% among hospitalized children [2] . Most studies report similar prevalence rates for boys and girls [1] . Functional constipation is responsible for more than 95% of constipation in healthy children one year and older, and is particularly common among preschool-aged children [3] . There is not one specific definition for constipation, but the general range of symptoms include bowel movements fewer than three times per week, hard and pebbly stool