Traditional uses of medicinal plants in Elazığ (Turkey)

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: This study has identified not only the wild plants collected for medical purposes by local people of Elazığ Province in the Eastern Anatolia Region, but also the uses and local names of these plants. These resources are usually regarded as part of a culture׳s traditional knowledge. Therefore, the aim of this study is to collect information from local population concerning the use of medicinal plants of the Elazığ region; identify the most important medicinal plants used; determine the relative importance of the species surveyed and calculate the informant consensus factor (FIC) in relation to medicinal plant use.

Materials and methods: A field study had been carried out for a period of approximately 2 years (2012-2013). A questionnaire was administered to the local people, through face-to-face interviews (Appendix A). Demographic characteristics of participants, names of the local plants, their utilized parts and preparation methods were investigated and recorded. The plant species were collected within the scope of the study; herbarium materials were prepared; and the specimens were entitled. The collected data were used to calculate the FIC and the plant use values.

Results: 74 Plants were found to be used for medical purposes before in the literature analysis of the plants used in our study, while 6 plants were found to have no literature records. Our results showed that the highest use values were recorded for the species Urtica dioica L. (0.46) and Rosa canina L. (0.42), while the highest FIC was cited for skin diseases (0.60).

Conclusion: Data obtained showed that in the studied area the folk use of plants is alive and still derives from daily practice. Evaluation of pharmacological activity for the promising medicinal plants is suggested.

Keywords: Elazığ; Ethnobotany; Informant consensus factor; Medicinal plants; Use value.