An Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants in Mersin (Turkey)

Abstract

This comprehensive ethnobotanical study carried out in Mersin province, which is located in the southern part of Anatolia, east of the Mediterranean Sea, compiles details on plants used in folk medicine and ethnopharmacological information obtained through face-to-face interviews. The aim was to collect and identify plants used for therapeutic purposes by local people and to record information on traditional herbal medicine. Plant specimens were collected in numerous excursions. Additionally, informant consensus factor and use value (UV) were calculated for information gathered. This study identifies 93 plant taxa belonging to 43 families and records their usage in folk medicine; 83 taxa are wild and the remaining 10 are cultivated. The most commonly used plants belong to Lamiaceae, representing 15.0% of the total, while the Rosaceae, Malvaceae, Hypericaceae, Asteraceae and Cupressaceae families each represented another 5.4%. As a result of this investigation, we determine 189 medicinal usages of 93 taxa. The UV values indicate that the most important medicine plants are Hypericum perforatum (0.80), Cedrus libani (0.78), Quercus coccifera (0.77), Arum dioscoridis (0.76) and Juniperus drupaceae (0.74). We observed that most of the drugs are prepared using the infusion method (27.6%). As a conclusion, the study finds that traditional folk medicine usage is still common, especially among the rural population of Mersin.

Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Human and Livestock Ailments in Basona Werana District, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

“…This study revealed that the family Lamiaceae has contributed the highest medicinal plant diversity, followed by Asteraceae and Solanaceae. These families are among the top plant families with contributing the largest medicinal plant species as reported from other parts of Ethiopia [ 8 , 9 , 18 , 24 ] and elsewhere in the world [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Evaluation of Trace Element and Heavy Metal Levels of Some Ethnobotanically Important Medicinal Plants Used as Remedies in Southern Turkey in Terms of Human Health Risk

“…Gentianaceae ES/H/B Common centaury/Tukul otu, kırmızı kantaron Stomach pains, gastritis, ulcers, indigestion and loss of appetite [ 28 , 44 ] Çevlik 7 Cephalaria syriaca (L.) Schrad. Caprifoliaceae IN/Th/A Cephalaria/Pelemir Antimicrobial, antioxidant, sedative, antidiabetic, analgesic,.seeds are mixed with bread flour for flavor in the baking industry, in leather business [ 45 – 47 ] Yayladağı 8 Cistus creticus L. Cistaceae ES/Ch/P Pink rock-rose, hoary rock-rose/Karağan, laden For constipation, diabetes, as cardiovascular, nutritional, digestive, stimulant, expectorant, antifungal, astringent [ 28 , 48 – 50 ] Kızıldağ 9 Cynoglossum creticum Mill. Boraginaceae IR/H/B Dog’s tongue/Köpek dili Emollient, hydrated burns, wart treatment, antitumoral and antispasmotic [ 51 , 52 ] Arsuz 10 Daphne sericea Vahl Thymelaeaceae M/Ph/P Daphne/Develik otu Toothache, rheumatic pain, malaria and blood cancer, ulcer, skin diseases, menstruation, as diuretic, diaphoretic, used in broom construction.…”

Ethnobotanical Review and Dataset Compiling on Wild and Cultivated Plants Traditionally Used as Medicinal Remedies in Italy

“…A decoction made with the roots was an excellent remedy to treat many affections such as cough, sore throat, stomach ache, toothache, menstrual pain, hypertension, dermatitis, and weakness. In other countries, such as the Iberian Peninsula and Turkey, mallow was also used as an antipyretic [ 92 ] and for abdominal pain [ 93 ].…”

“…Hypericum perforatum L. (CI 0.61, UI 1.00). Hypericum flowers were widely used in phytotherapy, not only in Italy but all over the world [ 93 , 96 , 100 , 101 ]. An infusion to aid digestion, as a cholagogue and anti-depressant, to treat constipation and sleep disorders, with relaxing properties is used.…”