Ethno-Botanical Study of Appetizing Medicinal Plants Used in Musian City, West of Iran

Abstract

Introduction: There are various drugs and methods to deal with anorexia, but both have adverse effects and limited effectiveness. Dissatisfaction of people with expensive chemical drugs that have many side effects as well as the desire to get fit through natural methods are important reasons for people to use herbal drugs. Considering that many plants used by people are used in the treatment of anorexia, this study aims to identify and report the plants that are used in the treatment of anorexia/hypophagia in the ethnobotanical knowledge of Musian city in order to facilitate access to them. Methods: This ethnobotanical study was conducted from May 2022 to January 2023 through face-to-face interviews and using a questionnaire among 28 traditional healers in Musian (West Iran). These questionnaires included demographic and specialized information on the medicinal plants of the 28 people who participated in this study. The results obtained from the questionnaires were directly transferred to the relevant tables and recorded. Finally, the data were analyzed by Excel. Results: The results of the study showed that in Musian 12 species of medicinal plants including Amygdalus communis L., Centaurea solstitialis L., Ficus carica, Malva neglecta Wallr, Menta longifolia (L.) Hudson, Rhus coriaria L, Tymbra spicata, Medicago sativa, Linum usitatissimum, Achillea wilhelmsii C. Kock, Alhagi persarum, and Alyssum campestre are in the ethnobotanical knowledge of this region as herbal medicine for anorexia (appetizer). Asteraceae, Laminaceae, and Fabaceae with two plant species are the most plant families that are used as appetizers in the region. The aerial organs were identified as 46% of the most used plant organs. Conclusion: The presence of rich plant flora and medicinal plant species in Musian city shows that this region is rich in medicinal plants and this issue can provide a suitable ground for better use of medicinal plants of this city to produce appetizing herbal products.