An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants in Biga (Çanakkale-Turkey)

Abstract

Traditional medicine, which is an important part of traditional knowledge, is an aspect of a heritage common to all mankind. We aimed to determine the traditional medicinal uses of plants in Biga and to compare the local data obtained with ethnobotanical studies for neighboring areas. Ethnobotanical data for medicinal plants were collected by means of face-toface interviews with local people. We recorded 104 taxa belonging to 49 families used for medicinal purposes. Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Asteraceae were the most common plant families. Hypericum perforatum L. is the most used species in Biga for the treatment of gastrointestinal and dermatological ailments. The highest FIC values (0.84) were obtained for respiratory disease, followed by gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases (0.81) and urinary infections (0.79). Only 52% of the species recorded in our study were found in monographs and pharmacopeias. The data reveal the continued use of plants as part of an oral culture among the local population inhabiting the research area. The outcome of this study contributes to the various approaches used to protect the rights of the local people of Turkey, including their resources and knowledge. Furthermore, the study contributes to our knowledge of medicinal plants in the Mediterranean region.