An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Valopei district of Savadkouh (Mazandaran-Iran)

This study was aimed to identify wild plants collected for medical purposes by the local people of Valopei County, located in the Northern of Iran, and to establish the uses and local names of these plants. Field study was carried out over a period of two years (2009–2011). Valopei district with over thousand years oldness, 52 villages and high rich knowledge about useful plants is situated in central Elburz region of Iran. A total of 66 plant species belonging to 61 genera and 39 families have been reported from the study area [1]. The most encountered medicinal plant family was Lamiaceae with seven species. The plants are used as medicinal, food and vegetable, provender, treatment of animal diseases, hunting, building construction, manure, weaving and dyeing, respectively based on significance. The use of several species such as Ligularia persica Boiss., Albizia julibrissin Durazz., Ruscus hyrcanus Woronow, Gleditschia caspica Desf., Tamus communis L., Hyoscyamus niger L., Quercus castaneifolia C.A.Mey., Punica granatum L., Calystegia sepium (L.) R.Br. and Potentilla reptans L. are reported for the first time. Mode of preparation and administration are discussed along with the family and local names of plants and plant parts used [2].

References: 1. Rechinger KH (1963–1999) Flora Iranica, Vol. 1–174. Akademische Druck und Verlagsanstalt Graz. Austria.

2. Martin GJ (1995) Ethnobotany. A methods manual. London: Chapman & Hall.