Ethnobotanical Potential of Ferfula assa-Foetida as a main Medical Plant in East of Iran

Abstract

Many people in Mediterranean region who consult with spiritual healers, homeopaths and herbalists are utilizing traditional therapies. These are the first choice for problems such as liver diseases, inflammation, skin diseases, infertility, impotence, diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, psychosomatic troubles, and many other diseases. The demand for medicinal plants has increased globally due to the resurgence of interest in and acceptance of herbal medicine. Most of the demand is being met through collection of large quantities of medicinal plants and plant parts from wild populations. The methods of extraction employed are almost invariably crude and unsystematic. As a consequence, the rates of exploitation may exceed those of local natural regeneration. Ferula assa-foetida L. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to Iran and Afghanistan. This plant is one of the most important among the thirty species of Ferula distributed in Iran. It is an herbaceous and perennial plant that grows up to 2 m high. One part used is an oleo-gum resin, called asa-foetida or anghoze in Persian, obtained by incision from the roots. It has been reported in Iranian folk medicine to be antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, laxative, sedative, nerving, analgesic, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and antiseptic. Iran is one of the most important producers of this plant in the world. Also Ferula is one of the most important endangered medicinal plants, which is rare in nature due to poor seed germination. In this article author introduce his field, qualitative and participatory study on harvesting, main characteristics and economical importance of this valuable medicinal plant in south-khorasan province, east of Iran as a major producer and exporter.