Ethnomedicinal Plants of Hasankeyf (Batman-Turkey)

Abstract

Hasankeyf is an ancient city, dating back to more than 10,000 years, in the Southeast Anatolia Region of Turkey. The area is separated by the Tigris River on both sides and located in the Batman province. However, as a result of a dam project, in February 2020, this ancient city and some of its surrounding villages were totally flooded. The residents were moved to new settlements. This study aimed to prevent the possible loss of ethnomedicinal knowledge of plants due to migration as well as to pass on this knowledge to the future generations. The field studies were conducted between March 2017 and November 2019 in the city center and 22 rural settlements of Hasankeyf. Also, the areas where intensive migration was experienced were visited frequently. Interviews were conducted with a total of 131 participants (76 women and 55 men) while gathering plants with them. Information was collected through interviews and questionnaires. The results were analyzed by quantitative indices of information consensus factor (FIC) and use value (UV). A total of 94 plant taxa belonging to 40 families were identified in the study area. The most common medicinal plant families are Lamiaceae (13), Asteraceae (8), Rosaceae (6), Malvaceae (6), Amaryllidaceae (5), Brassicaceae (4), and Solanaceae (4). The most common preparations were infusion, fresh application, and crushing. The taxa having the highest count of use value (UV) were Teucrium polium, Matricaria aurea, Urtica dioica, Mentha longifolia, and Quercus brantii. Besides, the recorded ailments were grouped into categories based on information provided by the interviewees. The most important use categories among the informants were diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, and dermatological disorders. The present study represents the first medical-ethnobotanical documentation and analysis of the traditional use of medicinal plants in Hasankeyf.

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Güce district, north-eastern Turkey

“…When I compared plant usage data from Güce with that from previous studies of the Colchic sector (including Georgia), I found that medicinal plant usage in Güce was most similar to that in Espiye (Giresun) ( Polat et al., 2015 ) and least similar to that in north-eastern Anatolia ( Sezik et al., 1991 ). These similarities are expected as Espiye is adjacent to Güce and shares the same ecosystems ( Yeşil and İnal, 2021 ). One reason that Güce and north-eastern Anatolia show low similarity in plant usage may be related to the traditional data obtained from the areas belonging to the Irano-Turanian (outside the Circumboreal phytogeographical region) phytogeographical region.…”

“…Although there are modern health facilities in the center of Güce, old people, unlike younger people, are reluctant to visit those facilities. In addition, knowledge and the number of medicinal plants cited increases with age, among both male and female informants ( de Albuquerque et al., 2011 ; Gaoue et al., 2017 ; Nguyen et al., 2020 ; Yeşil and İnal, 2021 ). In Güce, illiterate informants have more ethnobotanical knowledge, likely because they live in harmony with nature.…”

A review on bioactive phytochemicals and ethnopharmacological potential of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

“… [ 75 ] Turkey Leaves are used to cure diarrhoea, diabetes, headache, ulcers, urinary disorders, wounds and constipation. [ 76 , 77 , 78 ] Australia Australia Aerial parts are eaten to cure scurvy, irritations, inflammations and as a diuretic and antibiotic agent. [ 15 ] Africa Algeria It is used against dyspepsia and also as a diuretic.…”

“…There are also clues regarding use of purslane for respiratory diseases in ancient Iranian medical books [ 179 ]. Ethnobotanical studies suggest that it has been an important part of traditional medicine among various cultures in different parts of this world [ 71 , 78 , 93 , 96 ]. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemical composition also supports its pharmacological value.…”

Traditional Plants Used for Medicinal Purposes in Güroymak (Bitlis/Turkey) District

“…Although traditional medicine is used for primary health care by about 80% of the world's population, for centuries, medicinal plants have been used to treat a wide range of ailments all over the world. In fact, over fifty thousand of the world's estimated 422.000 plant species are used for medicinal purposes (Hamilton, 2004;Yeşil and İnal, 2021).…”