Abstract

Alternative and herbal therapies for the treatment of neonatal jaundice (NJ) in Iranian children and infants have recently been developed, to reduce the side effects and toxicity of pharmaceutical drugs. In this study results of ethnomedicinal-based clinical trial studies to treat NJ are critically reviewed. Cotoneaster manna was the most important medicinal plant to treat the neonate's hyperbilirubinemia. The maternal consumption of cotoneaster drops, pomegranate paste, and chicory aroma water reduced the serum bilirubin and length of hospitalization. The topical barley flour and oral jujube extract remarkably reduced NJ severity. The topical and oral application of many products of medicinal plants grown in Iran are useful for NJ treatment. However, further studies are required to assess the safety and efficacy of these herbal remedies in larger pediatric populations.