Ethnopharmacological study of plants used against skin diseases in the region of Komotini

The treatment of skin diseases is a global issue and despite scientific progress in the field of wound healing, it is often found that effective treatment is insufficient, especially when serious pathological conditions (e.g., diabetes) coexist. It is worth mentioning that numerous plants are still used today in the traditional medicine of many countries, not only for wound healing but also for the treatment of other skin diseases [1], [2]. Given that Greek traditional medicine is a rich source of information their documentation, combined with scientific validation of their efficacy, could contribute to the discovery of new and remarkable therapeutic agents. As part of the European EthnoHERBS, an ethnobotanical study was carried out in the area of Komotini, Northeastern Greece, regarding the use of aromatic and medicinal plants for skin treatment. After processing the data of 50 questionnaires completed by residents of Komotini, 62 aromatic and medicinal plants were found to be used in skin diseases such as St. Johnʼs wort, calendula, chamomile, aloe, nettle, and rosemary, while tobacco was also mentioned due to its extensive production in the past. The most frequently mentioned families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, Solanaceae and Violaceae. Comparing the scientific bibliographic data with the information obtained from our study, it was proved that the traditional use of the mentioned plants against skin diseases such as application of lemon balm in herpes [3], use of bergamot in acne [4] and elderberry in sunburns [5], were all confirmed in the literature thanks to their pharmacological properties.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Dezember 2022

• References

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