Ethno Botanical Survey of Herbal Remedies Traditionally Used in North Khorasan Province of Iran

This study was carried out in north east of Iran to collect the information of traditionally used medicinal plants by the local communities. A total of 10 medicinal plants belonging to 6 families, have a traditional medicinal role in the treatment of severe cold, kidney disorder, hysteria, nervous affection, aroma, febrifuge, jaundice, rheumatism, gout, urinary infection, asthma and fever. Analysis showed that Lamiaceae were the most dominant families of medicinal plants in Darkesh area (18%). The most used part of the plants was the leaves at 50% and Decoction was the most popular form of treatment used. Some of the medicinal plants (Kakoti, Zereshk Kuhi, Shir Khesht) discussed in this article have new implications presented for the first time in northeastern Iran. Therefore, these findings are important for the management of aroma, febrifuge and jaundice. Local communities, especially, forest dweller heavily use these traditionally available medicinal plants for health and believe that these are easily available, less expensive and have no side effects. But Chemical medicines, because of their harmful and irreversible effects on people, are slowly being replaced by active substances of plants. Medicinal plants are widely used for treatment in the area and the result of this study showed that the region has great potential for increasing medical tourism.

Traditional knowledge; Disease; Local community; Medical tourism; Iran