An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants administered for the treatment of hypertension

Introduction: The incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is very high in human societies and their prevention and treatment are the most important priority in many countries. Hypertension makes an important contribution to the development of CVDs. Objectives: This study aimed to collect the ethno-medicinal knowledge of the traditional healers of Shiraz on medicinal plants used in the treatment of hypertension. Materials and Methods: Ethno-medicinal data were collected from September 2012 to July 2013 through direct interview. Twenty-five healers were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires and their traditional ethno-medicinal knowledge was recorded. Questionnaires were included apothecary personal information, plant local name, plant parts used, method of preparation, season of harvest and traditional use. Data collected from surveys and interviews were transferred to Microsoft Excel 2007 and analyzed. Results: Analysis of data showed that, 27 medicinal plants from 22 families are used for the treatment of hypertension. The families with most antihypertensive species were Apiaceae (8), Rosaceae (8) and Papaveraceae (8). The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (36) followed by fruits (30), aerial part (17) and branches (7). The most frequently used preparation method was decoction (95). Borago officinalis (51.85), Berberis vulgaris (51.58) had the highest frequency of mention. Conclusion: The ethno-medicinal survey of medicinal plants recommended by traditional healers for the treatment of hypertension provides new areas of research on the antihypertensive effect of medicinal plants. In the case of safety and effectiveness, they can be refined and processed to produce natural drugs

Review on phytochemistry, therapeutic and pharmacological effects of myrtus (Myrtus communis)

The scientific name of Myrtle is Myrtus communis which widely used as a medicinal plant and herbal medicine. The extracts and essential oils of this medicinal plant contain special multiple pharmacological effects. Mort plants in traditional medicine used for wide ranges of disorders such as urinary tract infections, digestive problems, bronchitis, sinusitis, dry cough, neurological problems (epilepsy), hemorrhoids, pyorrhoea, rheumatic pain, bloating, diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhoids, interal wounds, rheumatism, inflammatory, bacterial infections, edema, spasm, depression, fungy, blood sugar, cough, chest pain and pain. The also are used as stimulant, tonic stomach and anti-parasites. Current studies mentioned the antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, analgesic, pesticide, hepatoprotective, anti-genotoxicity effects of myrtus. The essential oil mixtures contain cineole, myrtenole, pinene, geraniol, linalool, camphene, tannins, as well as oleic, linoleic, palmitic and citric acids and various sugars, which their therapeutic effects are probably due to these compounds. Discovering the different effects of this plant is important to produce effective natural remedies

Medicinal plants used to treat infectious and non-infectious diseases of skin and skin appendages in city of Urmia, northwest Iran

Human has been always seeking for beauty of skin and face and the best possible treatments for skin diseases. Indeed, use of medicinal plants is an important approach to treat skin diseases. The present study was conducted to identify effective medicinal plants on skin diseases in Urmia, a city of northwest Iran. This study was done through questionnaire-assisted interview with local people from September, 2014 to January, 2015. First, a complete list of groceries across Urmia was obtained. Then common and effective properties for treatment of skin diseases were generated. The questionnaires consisted of items regarding the grocers' demographic data and an empty list of native plants and/or items on used parts, the methods of use, and traditional therapeutic effects. After data analysis, 22 plants from 17 families, used for skin healthcare, were generated. Asteraceae and Scrophulariaceae families had most effective plants on skin diseases in Urmia. The plants were mostly used as boiled (56). Leaves (22) were mostly used part to treat skin diseases in Urmia. The plants presented in the present study contained bioactive substances and further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy and potential toxic effects of the medicinal plants of use because of the significance of these plants, and a step could be taken to develop natural and effective drugs for skin healthcare

A summary on the prominent herbal medicine effective for beauty, skin hygiene and wound healing in Iran

The application of herbs, herbal distillates and other herbal products for curing and healing wounds and burns has a long history in many countries. In countries such as India, Iran and China traditional medicine has a long history. There is valuable information of unknown forest herbs for curing wounds and ulcers. The main aim of this paper is identification of Iranian native herbal medicines which are useful for wound recovery and the beauty of the skin. Books, papers and online electronic sources such as ISI, PubMed, Scopus, Magiran, SID, etc. were used for the identification of herbal medicines with positive effects and the keywords herbal medicine, skin, wound recovery and beauty were used. Numerous herbs can have effective role in the beauty and relief of the skin, which have traditional applications and a potential to be exerted for medical and cosmetic needs. In this regard, 38 different medical herbs effective for skin such as Asafoetida, Thyme, Eucalyptus, Yarrow, Olive, Aloe vera, coconut and Artichoke were identified to be effective. Thus in prospective research, they can be used for processing into medical and hygienic drugs

An ethno-medicinal study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diabetes

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is the greatest public health problem and is considered as the silent epidemic of the 21st century. In Iran, there are approximately 1.5 million diabetic patients. Before the discovery of insulin, medicinal plants were widely used for the treatment of diabetes in Iran. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the indigenous plants used for the treatment of diabetes in Shiraz, southwest of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured direct interviews were conducted with 25 herbalists to identify medicinal plants used to treat diabetes. Questionnaires were included herbalist personal information, plant local name, growth season, plant parts used, preparation methods, and traditional therapies. RESULTS: The interview data indicated that, 24 medicinal plants from 19 families are used for the treatment of diabetes in Shiraz. The families with most antidiabetic species were Compositae (13), Rosaceae (13) and Cucurbitaceae (8). The most frequently used plant parts were fruits (38) and the most common preparation method was decoction (62). For 45 of reported plants, pharmaceutical studies approved antidiabetic effects in animal or humane model of diabetes. RESULTS of this study showed that the plants recommended by Shirazian herbalists have potential antidiabetic effects. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the ingredients of indigenous plants be studied to determine therapeutic effects and mechanism of action. If they were safe and effective, they can be refined and processed to produce natural drugs

Ethnobotanical identification of medicinal plants effective on bloat in Lorestan province, West of Iran

Objective: Bloating and gas accumulation is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Since herbs are always on of the most important source of medicines for many kind of diseases, so we try to investigate and introduce Lorestan local anti-bloating herbs in this study. Methods: The traditional treatment data of this study were collected from the indigenous peoples and through cooperation of Dorud Health and treatment Network, Boroojerd, Khorramabad, Aleshtar, Poldokhtar, Aligudarz, Nurabad and Kouhdasht. Questionnaires were prepared before and the volunteers were trained. Trained volunteers by mentioned questionnaire recorded people's beliefs about alternative medicine in the treatment of flatulence. Results: Eventually it was investigated that 13 remedial plants from 10 plant families were effective in the treatment of flatulence. In many parts of the world, especially in remote areas where there isn't any access to doctors and medicine, people use Folk medicine and homemade treatments. Conclusions: The awareness of these applications can be a policy for the achievement of new medicinal uses of these plants which hadn't been reported in the available literature as well. Ethnobotanical identification of medicinal plants effective on bloat in Lorestan province, West of Iran. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297372118_Ethnobotanical_identification_of_medicinal_plants_effective_on_bloat_in_Lorestan_province_West_of_Iran [accessed Jul 26, 2017]

Chicory: A review on ethnobotanical effects of Cichorium intybus L

The history of taking medicinal plants goes back to the existence of man on the Earth. Almost all tribes and nations have used medicinal plants in their history. Cichorium intybus L. which is known to have various effects including anti-hepatotoxic, anti-malaria, blood glucose decreasing, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects has been widely used in Iran and many other countries. It was traditionally taken as diuretic, laxative, and also a medicine that improves liver and gall bladder function as well as the appetite. Some of these effects have been approved with preclinical and clinical evaluations. In this study, we have tried to introduce the plant and its effects in traditional and modern medicine. This is achieved by reviewing the references published in recent years

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in treatment of kidney stones and kidney pain in Lorestan province, Iran

Kidney stones are the third most frequent disorder of the urinary tract, after infections and pathological disorders of the prostate. Most affected patients suffer from severe colicky pain. The use of herbs for treating diseases has been a common method since ancient times. This study aimed to identify and report the most important and effective herbs for treating kidney stones and kidney pain in Lorestan province (west of Iran). We accomplished our goal by gathering and integrating indigenous data from local inhabitants of Lorestan. Data were gathered with cooperation of the agents of public health service network all over the towns of Dorud, Boroujerd, Khorramabad, Aleshtar, Poledokhtar, Aligoodarz, Nurabad and Kouhdasht. Prepared questionnaires were distributed to the health system trained volunteers. These trained inquirers attended in villages and recorded the local herbal therapy methods and information. Finally, 17 plants from 12 families were identified. Besides predicating the traditionally believed effects of these herbs, it is essential for researchers to find out the actuality of their clinical effectiveness and active substances. Once the positive effects of these herbs were proved to be true, it is possible to produce drugs which are useful in treatment and controlling kidney stones and pain

Pharmaceutical, phytochemical, and economical potentials of Glycyrrhiza glabra L: A review

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Licorice) is one of the most important medicinal plants indigenous to Iran. The main component of this species is a triterpenoid saponin compound called glycyrrhizic acid or glycyrrhizin that is 30-40 times sweeter than sucrose and is used in medicine, food and tobacco industries. Licorice has different therapeutic implications as it is used against Hepatitis c, skin and pulmonary diseases, and heart failures. It also improves the immune system and has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. The aim of the present study is to demonstrate the pharmaceutical, phytochemical, and economic potentials of this plant