Introduction of valuable medicinal plants of traditional medicine of Lamiaceae family in the conditions of the Tashkent Botanical Garden

Abstract

Background: The article shows the results of introduction of essential oils bearing medicinal plants of Lamiaceae in the conditions of the Tashkent Botanical Garden, with their phenological observations and information on use in folk medicine.

Methods: Ethnobotanical data were collected in surveys from 2018-2024 as a result of interviews. Interviews with the local population were conducted in the form of a questionnaire with the consent of informants. The interviews were conducted in accordance with the rules of the ISE Code of Ethics 2006 established by the International Society of Ethnobiology (www.ethnobiology.net). The study was conducted in markets, interviews with tabibas (traditional healers) and elders throughout Uzbekistan.

Results: Some essential plants such as, Hyssopus officinalis L., Lavandula angustifolia Mill., Melissa officinalis L., Origanum vulgare L., Salvia rosmarinus Spenn., Salvia officinalis L. and Thymus vulgaris L., were introduced in the Tashkent Botanical Garden in 1963-1965. Over the years of introduction, all plants have successfully adapted in the dry climatic environment of the city of Tashkent. For several generations, these species resume as self-defined. Due to the successful introduction of these valuable medicinal plants, the created collection site was a mother material nursery for breeding Lavandula angustifolia, Origanum vulgare, Salvia rosmarinus and Salvia officinalis in other regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Compared with previously mentioned species, Agastache foeniculum (Pursh) Kuntze was introduced only 10 years ago. However, despite the shorter adaptation time, Agastache foeniculum also has a positive introduction rating, reproduces well with self. In addition, the work provides ethnobotanical information on the use of introduced species in folk medicine in Uzbekistan.

Conclusion: Over a long period of time, widely known essential oil plant species from Lamiaceae had a positive acclimatization result under Tashkent conditions. The most promising medicinal species for use in folk and official medicine are Lavandula angustifolia, Origanum vulgare, Salvia rosmarinus and Salvia officinalis.

Keywords: phenology, ethnobotany, Lamiaceae, introduction, raw materials, essential oil plants.