Plants used in traditional medicine and other uses in South of Erzurum (Turkey): An ethnobotanical study

Abstract

Background: This study reports result of an ethnobotanical research performed in Çat, Tekman, Hınıs, Karaçoban, Karayazı situated in south of Turkey. The ethnobotanical results include quantitative data on diversity of medicinal plants and other usages documented in districts.

Methods: The related information about traditional herbal medicine was collected. Herbarium materials were prepared and have been kept in the herbarium. The information was gained via open and semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. Findings were analysed via ICF/FIC, FL, UV.

Results: A total of 99 medical plants belonging to 34 families were defined in this study. Amongst these, 84 species grew wild 16 species were cultivated. The most widespread medicinal plant families were Asteraceae (20), Lamiaceae (10), Rosaceae (7), Apiaceae (7). The most common preparations was decoction. A total of 164 medicinal remedies were recorded. On the other hand 58 plants belonging to 23 families were utilized as food or for other things.

Conclusions: The utilization of traditional medicine was still extensive among the people in Erzurum. However, through increscent health service facilities in region, herbal medicine seemed to be more related to health care and illness prevention than curation. There is a gradual loss of traditional information to the usage of medicinal plants in younger generations.