Ethnobotany of Highly Consumed Medicinal Plants in Khorasan

Objective: The objective of the current study is to present a collection of ethnobotanical information and introduce commonly used medicinal plant species in the indigenous communities of Khorasan provinces (North, Razavi, and South).
Materials and Methods: Initially, ethnobotanical information related to medicinal plants was gathered from various locations within the Khorasan provinces using documentary research and based on existing studies. Subsequently, using the obtained data, frequently used species, the most common plant parts utilized, their most suitable application methods, and the most important target diseases were identified and examined.
Results: The examination of ethnobotanical information for 28 commonly used plant species revealed that these species are most abundant in the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families. Leaves were found to be the most frequently used plant part, and boiling and infusion were the most common methods of consumption. Furthermore, common cold, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal disorders were identified as the most significant target diseases for the application of these medicinal plants.
Conclusion: The analysis of ethnobotanical studies and the compilation of information related to commonly used plant species highlight the potential of the studied region in terms of medicinal plant genetic resources. This provides a suitable basis for presenting employment generation plans and planning research activities. This can lead to the effective utilization of the indigenous knowledge of the Khorasan provinces in the production of medicinal products.