Medicinal plants used for gastrointestinal disorders in some districts of Izmir province, Turkey

Abstract

This study was carried out in order to determine which plants and the ways in which these plants are used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders among the people of some districts of Izmir province, located in the Western Anatolian part of Turkey. Field study was carried out over a period of approximately three years (2009-2011). During the field trips, the information was collected through interviews, including various data obtained from local healers and traditional medicine men, herbalists, shepherds, patients and elderly persons. In addition, informant consensus factor (F-ic) values were calculated for the medicinal plants included in the study. A total of 33 plants belonging to 25 families were documented for their therapeutic use against gastrointestinal disorders. Further analysis on the families of medicinal plants that are used against gastrointestinal disorders has shown that family Lamiaceae is represented by the highest number of species. Also, it was determined that gastrointestinal system ailments for-which the folk medicinal plants are mostly used, are as follows: constipation, diarrhea, gastritis and ulcer, intestinal winds, nausea, gastralgia and indigestion. Informant consensus of medicinal plant usage within Izmir resulted in F-ic values between 0.56 and 0.84 per gastrointestinal disorder category. This study showed that plants are actively used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in the area of Izmir.