Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Consumed As Herbal Tea And Collected From Ida Mountains (Balikesir-Edremit)

Abstract

Ida Mountains which are located in the boundaries of Balikesir and Canakkale and divides the Aegean Region and the Marmara Region are the highest and also the richest mountain in terms of rareness and endemic species. Besides, they are rich in terms of medicinal and aromatic plants due to the different kinds of climates they have. The demand of tea which is made of medical and aromatic plants has been growing. One of the most important reason for this demand is that it is natural and easy to drink, another reason is that it doesn't only heal such diseases as antiseptic, diuretic, gastric, influenza but it also has soothing and antioxidant effects In this study, the herbal markets which are situated in the hillsides of Ida Mountains and the medicinal and herbal plants which are sold in public markets have been researched. During the study, 20 herbal markets and 7 public markets have been visited and the most consumed tea of local people and its aims of use have been determined. At the end of the study, it has been clear that 11 plants belong to 3 families have been collected from Ida Mountains and the species which belong to Lamiaceae have been used for medical purposes as tea. Moreover it has been determined that the herbal tea have been used by the locals at most in the inductions of such diseases as diuretic, gastric and influenza.