Ethnobotanical study on the medicinal plants in the Manyas province (Balıkesir, Turkey)

Abstract

The variation in geology, land forms and climate in Anatolia has led to huge plant diversity. This study performed to provide a comprehensive documentation on ethnomedicinal herbs and traditional knowledge in Manyas (Balıkesir) province. Ethnobotanical records were documented using structured and semi-structured interviews (n=115) and focus group discussions (n=17) with key informants. The informant consensus factor (IFC) and use value (UV) were calculated to see the relative importance of species known. Seventy-five medicinal herbs belonging to 69 genera and 40 family used as treatment of human diseases were recorded. Among these taxa, 61 species were wild and 14 species were recorded as cultivated plant. It is revealed that the most frequently used ethnomedicinal plant families were Lamiaceae (>13%), Asteraceae (>12%), Rosaceae (>8%); the most frequently used preparations methods were infusion and decoction. A total of 122 ethnomedicinal practices were recorded. The traditional herbs have been commonly used for the cure of respiratory system disorders (18%), gastro-intestinal complaints such as ulcers and stomachache abdominal pain (13%), wounds and cut (11%), diabetes (7%), hemorrhoids (5%), heart and vascular disorders (4%). The present study showed that the area was rich in medicinal plant knowledge. The traditional knowledge reported by the indigenous people of Manyas region is valuable for further research and protected ethnobotanical heritage.