An ethnobotanical study of Scrophularia striata Boiss. and Anchusa italica Retz. using traditional knowledge

Abstract

The current study aimed at providing an assessment of pastoralists’ knowledge in Darreh Shahr county at Ilam province associated with Scrophularia striata and Anchusa italica. In this order, field observations, semi-structured interviews and community feedback methods were used with 57 knowledgeable and skilled local pastoralists with legal grazing license. Result showed that pastoralists carried extensive knowledge with regard to different aspects of these two plant species. This knowledge included morphological and botanical characteristics, phenology, habitat properties including geographical distribution, ecology and companion plants, forage and fodder properties, harvesting approaches, therapeutic properties and side effects. It was found through the findings that, based on traditional knowledge of pastoralists, the main therapeutic properties of Scrophularia striata were treatment of burning injuries, internal infection of the female genital organs, the infection in general and acne. For Anchusa italica the therapeutic properties included sedative effects and reducing stress and depression. The result also showed an erosion of medicinal plants traditional knowledge due to the death of knowledgeable elderlies and the lack of interest among new generations regarding traditional knowledge. The innovation of this study is in the deep examination of traditional knowledge regarding different aspects of ethnobotany besides medicinal properties of plants.

Keywords

• local knowledge
• ethnopharmacology
• medicinal plants
• ilam