Traditional medicine in Turkey IX

Journal of Ethnopharmacology 75 (2001) 95–115

Traditional medicine in Turkey X. Folk medicine in CentralAnatolia

Ekrem Sezik a,*, Erdem Yesilada a, Gisho Honda b, Yoshihisa Takaishi c,Yoshio Takeda d, Toshihiro Tanaka e

a Gazi Uni6ersity, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hipodrom 06330, Ankara, Turkeyb Kyoto Uni6ersity, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sakyo-ku 606, Kyoto, Japan

c Tokushima Uni6ersity, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokushima 770-8505, Japand Tokushima Uni6ersity, Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Tokushima, Japan

e Gifu Pharmaceutical Uni6ersity, Gifu, Japan

Received 14 August 2000; received in revised form 9 November 2000; accepted 5 December 2000

Abstract

Traditional medicine used in Central Anatolia; Ankara, Kayseri, Nigde and south-eastern parts of Karaman and Konyaprovinces have been studied. Two hundred and ninety one folk remedies obtained from 103 plant species belonging to 40 familiesand 4 animal species are reported with their vernacular names, parts used, methods of preparing remedies and therapeutic usage.© 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Traditional medicine; Turkey; Central Anatolia

www.elsevier.com/locate/jethpharm

1. Introduction

The middle part of the Anatolian peninsula is sur-rounded by mountain ranges and called is ‘CentralAnatolia’. Due to shielding from the moderating effectsof the sea breezes by the surrounding coastline moun-tains, this area is subject to cold Winters and dry, hotSummers. The rainfall mostly occurs in Spring. Theflora is mainly of the steppe character, with naturalpastures, scattered and disturbed forests.

The present study was mainly conducted in thesouth-eastern parts of the subdivision (Kayseri, Nigde,Konya, Karaman) and in the northern districts of theAnkara province. Folk medicine in the south-westernparts of Konya and Karaman provinces were reportedin a previous paper (Yesilada et al., 1995). However,folk medicine in the surveyed area has not been studiedby scientific means. The only available study was thatpublished by Vural et al. (1997) on the ethnobotanicalfeatures of a small town in a neighboring province(Kırsehir) in Central Anatolia.

2. Methodology

Information summarized in the present paper wascompiled from 46 selected villages in the surveyed area(Fig. 1). Two different criteria were employed for theselection of the localities; villages from 1 to 16 wereselected randomly in the south and eastern parts of thesubdivision, while those in Ankara (from 17 to 46) weregathered through a programmed-study in the northernsection of the province, especially around Kazan andneighboring towns, Baglum and Cubuk.

Methodology followed in the field surveys was de-scribed in detail in previous reports (Sezik et al., 1991and Fujita et al., 1995). Voucher specimens, in dupli-cates, were deposited both in the Herbarium ofFaculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University and in theHerbarium of Medicinal Plant Garden, Kyoto Univer-sity. Taxonomic determinations were made by Sezik,Yesilada and Honda (co-authors), using the serial‘Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands’ (Davis,1965–1988) and other related books and publicationsas well as comparing with the identified specimens inherbaria in Turkey.

* Corresponding author. Fax: +90-312-2210649.E-mail address: [email protected] (E. Sezik).

0378-8741/01/$ - see front matter © 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.PII: S 0 3 7 8 -8741 (00 )00399 -8

E. Sezik et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 75 (2001) 95–11596

3. Results and discussion

Results obtained from field surveys are summarizedin Table 1. In the present paper, 291 folk remediesobtained from 103 plant species belonging to 40families and 4 animal species are reported. Only taxo-

nomically identified plants are included in the tablewith the Latin name, vernacular name, locality, partused, usage and preparation of remedy under theirrespective families and arranged in alphabetical order.When a plant specimen is called by different vernacularnames, information is also classified according to their

Fig. 1. The route for the field survey in Central Anatolia. The names of cities and main towns are indicated by names, villages by numbers.Collection sites of the information are as follows: (1) KAYSERI: : Develi, Kale; (2) KAYSERI: , Develi, Buyukkunye; (3) KAYSERI: , Akkısla,Ortakoy; (4) KAYSERI: , Pınarbası, I: nlioren; (5) KAYSERI: , Pınarbası, Cerkezsogutlu; (6) NI: G" DE, Merkez, Carıklı; (7) NI: G" DE, Merkez,Dikilitas; (8) NI: G" DE, Merkez, Elmalı; (9) NI: G" DE, Ciftlik, Azatlı; (10) NI: G" DE, Altınhisar, Yesilyurt; (11) NI: G" DE, Bor, Kılavuz; (12) NI: G" DE,Camardı, Celaller; (13) NI: G" DE, Camardı, Yelatan; (14) NI: G" DE, Ulukısla, Aktoprak; (15) KONYA, Halkapınar, Buyukdogan; (16) KARA-MAN, Ayrancı, Yukarı Kıramanoglu; (17–43) ANKARA, Yenimahalle, Kazan; (17) I: coren; (18) Yassıoren; (19) Alpagut; (20) Sarıayak; (21)Karalar; (22) Sarılar; (23) Mehti; (24) Sogulcak; (25) I: mrendi; (26) Aydın; (27) Yılbant; (28) Kıslakoy; (29) Guvenc; (30) Ahır; (31) Ucarı; (32)O8 rencik; (33) Ahır; (34, 35) Cimsit; (36) Yazıbeyi; (37) Balakayı; (38) Sancar; (39) I: gmir; (40) Emirgazi; (41) Fethiye; (42) Kınık; (43) Bitik; (44)ANKARA, Cubuk, Bala Pecenek; (45) ANKARA, Altındag, Baglum, Kılıclar; (46) Lezgi.

E. Sezik et al. / Journal of Ethnopharmacology 75 (2001) 95–115 97

Table 1Folk Remedies in Central Anatolia

Localityb Part usedFamily and species name Use and administrationLocal namea

[Voucher specimen]

Anacardiaceae1 Fruitsumak For diarrhea; powdered fruitsRhus coriaria L.

or ‘sumach’ are sprinkled onboiled egg and ingested

menengic, For diabetes mellitus;2Pictacia terebinthus L. ssp. Leafpalaestina (Boiss.) Engler decoction, as tea [95A018]cıtımık

Apiaceae2 RootEryngium bithynicum Boiss. For goiter; peeled fresh rootsboga dikeni

are ingested, esp. effective inthe initial stages of the disease[94B032]

16 Root For abscess; pounded andboiled in milk or water,poultice that is obtained isapplied on abscess to promotesuppuration [94B136]

10 Herb For rheumatic pain; decoctionis used for bathing [95A050]

AsteraceaeAchillea biebersteinii Afan. sarıcicek 2 Herb For abdominal pain, stomach

ache; mixed with mint leavesand prepared as tea [94B033]

4 Herb For wound healing; poundedcetugcefresh herbs are applied onwounds [94B028]

kabalak out 26 Leaf For sunstroke or colds; theArctium minus (Hill) Bernh.naked body of the patient iscovered with fresh leaves whichare wetted with vinegar or rawsheep milk and kept warm toinduce perspiration [95A065]

8 HerbCentaurea pulchella Ledeb. For abscess; pounded herb isbogadikeniapplied on abscess to promotesuppuration [94B055]

8 RootCichorium intybus L. To pass kidney stone;cukurotudecoction, as tea [94B051]

9 Root/herb As panacea esp. for cancer;cukurfresh roots or herbs areingested [94B065]

21 Leaf For cuts and wounds; cookedesek karakavuguwith the roots of Anchusa sp.,butter and pine resin to obtainointment, external use

19 Latex For cuts; external usekenger 3Gundelia tournefortii L. var. Latex For removing water in spleen

tournefortii and thirst; latex obtained fromroot is chewed [95A026]

Helianthus tuberosus L. 2 Tuber For diabetes mellitus; freshyerelmasıtubers are ingested [cv.]c

4 Tuber For hemorrhoids; tubers areingested [cv.]c

Helichrysum plicatum DC. ssp. yayla cicegi 13 Flower For wound healing; decoctionis mixed with barley flour toplicatumobtain poultice and applied onwounds [95A065]

kangal dikeni 10 SeedOnopordum anatolicum (Boiss.) For urethral disorders;decoction as tea [95A043]Eig.

Boraginaceaeboyaotu 6 For wound healing; red-coloredRootAlkanna cappadocica Boiss. and

Bal. barks are roasted in butter toobtain ointment and applied onwounds [94B041]


Table 1 (Continued)

Part usedLocal namea Use and administrationLocalitybFamily and species name[Voucher specimen]

Brassicaceaehardal Seed For cough and pneumonia;Sinapis ar6ensis L. 23, 28, 32, 41

pounded and boiled in milk orwater and applied to chest orneck [96A145, 96A413]For oxyuriasis; fresh leaves are34 Leafingested on an empty stomach[96A615]

kelem 31 leaf For ulcer; fresh leaves areBrassica oleracea L. var. capitataingested [cv.]cDC.

32, 45 Leaf For abscess; fresh, appliedexternally to promotesuppuration [cv.]c

For abscess; fresh, appliedlahana 36 Leafexternally to promotesuppuration [cv.]cFor cough andpneumonia; a fresh leaf issmeared with olive oil andapplied to back

41 Leaf For cough and pneumonia;boiled leaves are applied to backafter treatment with olive oil

Herbgerdemeotu For abdominal pain; chewed15Nasturtium officinale R. Br.[cv.]c

CaprifoliaceaeFruitgilaboru To pass kidney stone; juice3, 4Viburnum opulus L.

obtained by squeezing is takenorally [95A025]

1 Fruit To pass kidney stone; fresh fruitsgiraboluin summer or pickles prepared touse in winter are ingested[95A011]To pass kidney stone; fresh fruitgirebolu 2, 13 Fruitis ingested or decoction is usedas tea

CucurbitaceaePericarp For wounds; dried pericarp is18, 36karpuzCitrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum.

burned and ash is spread onand Nakaiwounds [cv.]c

For sore throat, bronchitis;Cucurbita pepo L. Fruit25, 27, 29kestane kabagıgraded and boiled in milk orwater and while warm appliedexternally on neck [cv.]c

Fruit For sore throat; graded and28, 41cooked on pan and appliedexternally on neck

Fruit For uterus inflammation and25, 26, 29, 40infertility in woman; patient sitson the cooked fruits and vaporsare directed to vagina to removethe inflammation which causeinfertilityFor sore throat; graded fresh41 Fruitfruits are applied externally toneck

26, 29, 30, 42 Seed As antihelminthic; 1 kg of seed isingested on an empty stomach

acıkelek Fruit For sinusitis; juice dropped intoEcbalium elaterium A. Rich 15nostrils [95A082]For sinusitis; juice dropped intoFruit12cırtatannostrils [95A055]


Table 1 (Continued)

Family and species name LocalitybLocal namea Part used Use and administration[Voucher specimen]

Fruit For jaundice, liver insufficiency;decoction is used orally

13 Fruit For jaundice; 3 drops of juiceare applied into nostrils [95A061]

14 Fruit For hemorrhoids; ingested

Cupressaceae15 Fruitkokarardıc For bronchitis; red fruits areJuniperus oxycedrus L. ssp.

ingested [95A084]Oxycedrus 13ardıc Leaf For some gynecological diseases

and hemorrhoids; the vapor ofthe hot decoction is effective[95A070]

35 Fruit For colds, cough; decoction astea

14 Fruitdiken ardıcı For hemorrhoids; red fruits areingested [95A077]

15 Fruit For fungal infections on foot;juice obtained by pounding isapplied on skin [95A083]

ardıcJuniperus sabina L. 1, 2 Resin For wound healing; external use[95A016]

Fruit For stomach disorders; decoction

Elaeagnaceae8 Branchigde To remove wart; a fresh branchElaeagnus angustifolia L.

is put on fire for a short periodand the juice appeared at the tipof the branch is applied on wart[95A042]

11 Fruit To pass kidney stone; boiled andigde calısıfiltered through a piece of muslinand 3–4 glasses of filtrate aretaken orally on an emptystomach for the following 2 to 3days [95A048]

Euphorbiaceae2, 6 Latexsutlegen To remove warts; after wart isEuphorbia coniosperma

cut with a razor, latex is appliedBoiss. and Buhse and other 6 Herb[94B031]Species 11 LatexFor scorpion bite; pounded andapplied external use [94B042]For lichen infection; external use[94B091]

9, 14 Latex For snake bite; latex is rubbed tosutligansutluk 13 Latex the bitten site [94B067]

To remove warts; external use

Fabaceae18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 29, To expel worms; seeds are keptnohut SeedCicer arietinum L.32, 37, 40, 41, 44 in water for 2–4 days and the

filtrate is drunken on an emptystomach every morning [cv.]c

patlak kutnuColutea cilicica Boiss. 8 Fruit For inflammatory wounds;pounded and mixed with sootfrom copper kettle and appliedon wound [94B142]

payamGlycyrrhiza glabra L. var. 3 Root For hemorrhoids, internal pains;glandulifera Boiss. decoction is used as tea [95A027]


Table 1 (Continued)

Local namea Localityb Part used Use and administrationFamily and species name[Voucher specimen]

Seed For burns; roasted seeds are46mercimekLens culinaris Medik.milled and applied on affectedarea [cv.]c

RootMelilotus officinalis (L.) Desr. As abortifacient; washed andsakar yonca 17, 45inserted in vagina [96A500]

fasulye 19, 24, 36, 37 Seed For wounds; ash of the seeds isPhaseolus 6ulgaris L.applied on wounds [cv.]c

Seed For bruises; ashes of the seeds of30beans and apricots are mixedwith butter and applied on theaffected area

27burcak Aerial For infertility in woman; vaginaVicia sati6a L.of the patient is exposed tovapors of the boiled herbs [cv.]c

FlowerVicia faba L. For kidney problems; infusion iskarabakla 39cooled overnight and takenorally [cv.]c

FagaceaeRoot bark For cough; decoction as tea2Quercus pubescens Willd. mese

[95A019]Gall For cough; knobby galls are

effective, powdered and ingestedGall As desiccant for wounds esp.

after circumcision; powdered andspread

9 Leaf, bark For hemorrhoids; decoction asbozmesetea [94B066]

Quercus libani Olivier Leaf, barkkaramese For hemorrhoids; decoction as9tea [94B068]

Geraniaceae1, 2 Root As antihelminthic; decoction isPelargonium endlicherianum Fenzl. solucanotu

taken to expel round worms,ingestion of fresh herbs is alsoeffective [94B004]

Leafsardunya For abscess; a fresh leaf is46Pelargonium zonale (L.) Ait.applied on abscess to promotesuppuration [cv.]c

HypericaceaeHerb For hemorrhoids; decoction, asmayasılotuHypericum lydium Boiss. 1

tea [95A006A]Flowering herbkantoron For wound healing; kept inside14Hypericum perforatum L.

olive oil for 1 to 2 months andapplied on wounds [94B131]For stomach ache, colitis,intestinal disorders; decoction isused as tea after condensed up to1/3 of its volume

Herb For hemorrhoids; decoction, askoramanotu 15tea, for 6-12 months [94B123]

HerbHypericum scabrum L. For hemorrhoids; decoction, asmayasılotu 1tea [95A006B]

JuglandaceaeJuglans regia L. 14 Fruit For stomach ache; eleven ofceviz

immature small fruits areswallowed as pills [95A079]

Leaf For sunstroke; naked body ofthe patient is covered with freshleaves to induce perspiration


Table 1 (Continued)


15 Leaf For sunstroke; leaves are mixedwith ayse sablası [Arctium sp.]and herbs of uperyavsanı [?] andboiled. Decoction is used to takebath

21 Seed For scabies; ash of the burnedseeds is mixed with sulfur andapplied on the affected area [cv.]c

27 Leaf For rheumatic pain; mixed withUrtica dioica leaves and boiled toobtain poultice and cover thenaked body of the patient toinduce perspiration

34 Leaf For erysipelas; decoction is usedto take bath

Lamiaceae8 HerbMentha longifolia (L.) Hudson For hemorrhoids; fresh herbs arenarpuz

ingested [94B057]6 HerbSal6ia russellii Bentham For common cold, abdominalsaplamaotu

pain; decoction, as tea [94B039]yaglıkaraSal6ia dichroantha Stapf. 2 Leaf For abdominal pain,

stomachache; infusion is used astea [94B015]

yaglıkara 2Sal6ia 6erticulata L. ssp.amasiaca Leaf For abdominal pain,Bornm. stomachache; infusion, as tea

[94B016]11 Herbkekik For common cold, abdominalSatureai cuneifolia Ten.

pain; infusion, as tea [94B106]16 Herbkokar yavsan For common cold, antipyretic;Teucrium polium L.

decoction, as teaFor rheumaticpain; decoction is used to takebath

peryavsanotu 3 Herb For common cold, high fever;decoction is used to bath[94B024]

12 Herb For abdominal pain; juicesırcanotuobtained by pounding the freshherbs is ingested [95A052]

2 Herbyavsan For stomach ache; infusion, astea [94B034]

14Teucrium chamaedrys L. Herbkısacıkmahmut For stomachache; infusion, as tea[95A075]

LiliaceaeAllium cepa L. 8, 9, 10, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20,sogan For abscess; bulb is embeddedBulb

22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 32, inside embers and applied toabscess to promote suppuration35, 37, 40, 41, 42[cv.]c

24 Bulb For abscess; grated onion ismixed with soap, wax and pineoleoresin and cooked in a panand applied to abscess topromote suppuration

30, 31 Bulb For abscess; grated onion andsoap are cooked in milk toobtain ointment and appliedexternal use

31 Bulb For abscess; grated onion ismixed with soap, cow fat,beeswax, pine oleoresin and milkand cooked in a pan to preparean ointment and appliedexternally to promotesuppuration


Table 1 (Continued)


Bulb For abscess and burns; grated26, 29onion is boiled in milk andapplied to affected part

Bulb For stomach ache; three bulbs9which are cooked inside embersare ingested on an emptystomach [cv.]c

Bulb For gastric ulcers; cooked in28embers and ingested

Bulb For scabies; middle part of a10bulb is removed and filled withsulfur, cooked inside embers,then pounded to obtain a pasteand applied on affected area[cv.]c

Bulb For dysmenerrohea; boiled in17water and ingested

32 Bulb For uterus inflammation; middlepart of the cooked onion isinserted in vagina [164]

Thin inner skin For dysuria; boiled and ingested26Thin inner skin As abortifacient; boiled and27

ingestedWholeAllium porrum L. For infertility in woman; freshpırasa 20

plant is boiled in water andwoman sit on the bowl to exposethe vapor to vagina [cv.]c.Hemorrhoids; graded and boiledin milk and applied externally onanus

Allium sati6um L. 9 Bulb For sunstroke; pounded withsarmısakyogurt and thee naked body ofthe patient is covered with thisremedy [cv.]c

Bulb For hemorrhoids; 1–2 tooth of17, 23garlic are inserted in anus daily[cv.]c

18, 23, 26, 27, 31, 37 Bulb As hypotensive; 1–2 tooth ofgarlic is ingested [cv.]c

Bulb For insect-bite; pounded with20, 32yogurt and applied on theaffected part

Bulb For food intoxication; pounded20, 32, 38, 40with yogurt and ingested

Bulb To expel worms; 1–2 tooth are36ingested

Bulbyakıcı sogan For rheumatic pain; graded andScilla maritima (L.) Baker 2a small amount is applied on theaffected part [95A014]

Linaceae8, 9, 10, 13 Seed For abscess; seeds are poundedLinum usitatissimum L. zeyrek

and boiled to prepare poulticeand applied on abscess topromote suppuration [cv.]c

Seed For abscess; pounded seeds are17sieved and mixed with yogurtand applied on abscess topromote suppuration

Seed For common cold; boiled in milk10to prepare poultice and appliedon body [cv.]c


Table 1 (Continued)

LocalitybFamily and species name Part usedLocal namea Use and administration[Voucher specimen]

18, 26, 27, 34, 37, 38 Seed For cough in pneumonia; milledseeds are boiled in milk toprepare poultice and applied onchest or neck

39 Seed For bruises; pounded and thenboiled in milk to prepare poulticeand applied on the affected areafor 24 h

Loranthaceae10 Herbguveltek otu For diarrhea; plant collectedViscum album L. ssp. album

from pear tree is dried andpounded with honey and ingested[95A050]For prostatitis; decoction, as tea

Malvaceae10 Flowergulhatmi For sore throat, bronchitis;Althea hirsuta L.

mixed with the leaves of quince(Cydonia oblonga) and decocted,as tea [95A049]

fatma cicegi 21 Flower For cuts, sprains; fresh flowersare boiled in milk to preparepoultice and applied externally[96A101]

24 Aerial For wounds; pounded fresh plantfatma cicegiAlthea officinalis L.is applied [96A112]

3 LeafMal6a neglecta Wallr. For pain in mouth; fresh leavesebegumeciare eaten [93B023]

8 Herb For abscess; poultice which isobtained by boiling the materialis mixed with vegetable oil andapplied on abscess to promotesuppuration [94B054]

9 Root As abortifacient, a root iswashed and inserted in vagina[95A046]

Herb As choleretic; decoction, as tea

MoraceaeMorus nigra L. 10karadut Leaf As hypoglycaemic; decoction is

used as tea [95A044]37 Fruit For aphtha; fruit juice is used as

gargle [cv.]c

37 Root As abortifacient; decoction istaken orally

Oleaceae8Olea europea L. Fruit+seedkarazeytin* To remove nails/slivers from

skin; a whole black fruit ispounded tohether with an onionbulb and applied on skin [cv.]c

Papaveraceaetarla gulu 17Glaucium grandiflorum Boiss. et Flower For erysipelas, lymphadenitis,

edema in extremities; boiled,Huet. var. grandiflorumpoultice is applied externally[96A505]

Pinaceaemejda, koknar 1 Resin For stomach ache; resin obtainedAbies cilicica (Ant. et Kotschy)

Carr. in summer is chewed [95A015]goknar 13 Resin For abscess; resin that

spontaneously occurs on stem isapplied on abscess to promotesuppuration [95A060]


Table 1 (Continued)


Cedrus libani A. Rich. Shootmezda, kamalak For peptic ulcers; used internal2[94B030]

Resinkızıl cam For abscess; applied externallyPinus brutia Ten. 15on abscess to promotesuppuration [95A081]

Resin For abdominal pain, colitis;mixed with butter and applied onabdomen

karacam, karacamPinus nigra Am. ssp. pallasiana 2 Floem For tuberculosis; fresh peeledfloem is ingested [95A023](Lamb.) Holmboe sulamıgı*

Tar For abscess; pounded with tailcam, karakatran* 3fat of sheep and applied onabscess to promote suppuration[95A028]

Resin For abdominal ptosis; resincam sakızı* 13obtained from stem andAstragalus sp. roots are poundedtogether and cooked with milk toprepare poultice and applied toabdomen [95A067]

Resin For abdominal pain, rheumatickaracam 14pain; boiled in milk and appliedexternally either on abdomen orjoints [95A076] As panacea;ingested

Young shoot For piles; fresh shoots areingested

PlantaginaceaeLeaf For abscess; fresh leaf is applied2Plantago lanceolata L. kırksinir

on abscess to promotesuppuration [95A020]

LeafPlantago major L. As antipyretic in sunstroke;bag yapragı 13naked body of the patient iscovered with the mixture of freshleaves and yogurt, then coveredwith a blanket and left toperspiration to reduce the feverof the body

Leafhabzevk Same as above4Leaf For abscess; fresh leaf is applied12, 13kırkdilim

to abscess to promotesuppuration [95A053]

2, 10, 11, 15kırksinir Leaf For abscess; fresh leaf is appliedto abscess to promotesuppuration [95A020, 94B080]

6 Leafpelvanotu, For abscess; fresh leaf is appliedto abscess to promotesinirliotsuppuration [95A041]

Leaf For abscess; fresh leaf is appliedsigillik otu 44to abscess to promotesuppuration [96A244]

sinir yapragı 8 Leaf For abscess; fresh leaf is appliedto abscess to promotesuppuration [94B052]

Leafsinirotu For abscess; fresh leaf is applied9to abscess to promotesuppuration [94B062]

Leaf For abscess; fresh leaf is appliedsinirli ot 29to abscess to provoke maturation


Table 1 (Continued)

Localityb Part usedLocal namea Use and administrationFamily and species name[Voucher specimen]

29 Root To regulate bleeding inmenorrhagia; as tea

21 Leaf For abscess; fresh leaf is appliedsinirli yaprakto abscess to promotesuppuration

21 Leaf For hemorrhoids, internalbleedings; decoction is used astea

siyilli yaprak 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, For abscess; fresh leaf is appliedLeafto abscess to promote28, 30, 31, 32, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,

41, 43, 45, 46 suppuration [96A93, 96A126]19 Seed For hemorrhoids; pounded and

mixed with honey

PlumbaginaceaesergelotuPlumbago europaea L. 10 Herb For edema, inflammations;

pounded fresh herbs are appliedto abscess to drain edema out[94B076]

13 Herb For edema, inflammations;serkelepounded fresh herbs are appliedto abscess to drain edema out[94A063]

serkile 2 Herb For scabies; herb is decocted in asaucer with sulfur and lime andthe mixture is then applied onthe affected part. It hascauterizing effect

Poaceaeayrıkotu 9 Root As diuretic; decoction as teaElymus hispidus (Opiz) Melderis

ssp. barbulatus (Schur) Melderis [95A046]arpaHordeum 6ulgare L. 8 Seed For abscess; flour obtained by

milling the seeds is boiled toprepare poultice and applied onabscess, after treating the abscesswith vegetable oil [cv.]c

13 Seed For common cold; roasted seedsare placed inside a cotton bagwhile hot and applied on back ofthe patient to induce perspiration[cv.]c

17, 22, 23, 24, 34, 38, 40, Seed For cough in pneumonia; seedsare boiled in milk to prepare41, 42, 46poultice and applied on chest ofthe patient after being smearedwith olive oil and left overnight[cv.]c

18, 19 Seed For cough in pneumonia, colds;barley flour, olive oil and vinegarare added inside boiling water toprepare paste and applied onchest while still warm

20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32 Seed For cough in pneumonia, colds;barley flour is boiled in milk toprepare poultice and applied onchest while still warm; in case ofthe seeds are boiled in water thechest of the patient should bepretreated with olive oil [96A425]


Table 1 (Continued)


Seed For dermatophytes; seeds are30roasted in a pan and squeezed toobtain fixed oil and then appliedon the affected area

Seed For facial paralysis; decoction is30drunken for 7–9 days withoutlimitation

31 Seed For cough; barley flour cookedwith butter and mint leavesapplied on chest

SeedTriticum sati6um L. For sprains and injuries; crushedbugday yarması* 3seeds are boiled to preparepoultice and applied on theaffected part. When thistreatment is ineffective, there is apossible fracture which needsanother type of nursing [cv.]c

17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 27,mısır For dysuria; boiled stylus isStylusZea mays L.taken orally [cv.]c29, 32, 34, 37, 40, 41

Stylus For hemorrhoids; decoction, as30tea

31 Stylus For dysmenerrhoea; decoction isused as tea

Stylus For sore throat; cigarette44prepared from the dried materialis smoked

PrimulaceaeH For flu, pounded and dried herb12tutyaPrimula auriculata Lam.

is sniffed into nose for sneezingto ease respiration in flu[95A056]

Punicaceaenar 10 Pericarp For diarrhea; dried rind of thePunica granatum L.

fruit is ingested [cv.]c

Pericarp As hypoglycaemic, stomach14disorders; decoction is used astea

RanunculaceaeSeed As abortifacient; decoction, as17Nigella sati6a L. corekotu

tea [cv.]c

27 Seed For colds; boiled seeds areapplied on chest when hot

Aerial For jaundice; daily 50 cc of the21Ranunculus neopolitanus Ten. yavru agzıdecoction prepared from thefresh herbs is taken for 2–3 days[96A590]

Herbwutsuvoyji For abscess; pounded fresh herbsRanunculus illyricus L. 4are applied to abscess formaximum of one hour to drainthe pus out [94B029]

RhamnaceaeFruit For jaundice; pounded fruits are10cehriRhamnus petiolaris Boiss.

sieved through a muslin andmixed with honey and ingested[95A049]

RosaceaeSeedArmeniaca 6ulgaris Lam. For bruises; ointment preparedzerdali 30

with ash of the seeds and butteris applied on affected part [cv.]c


Table 1 (Continued)


Crataegus orientalis Pallas ex Bieb. alıc 3 Sprout For stomach disorders,var. orientalis hemorrhoids; decoction as tea

[94B026]4 Sprout As panacea; decoction of fresh

sprouts is used as tea2 LeafCydonia oblonga Miller For diarrhea; decoction is usedayva

as tea [95A021]10 Leaf For sore throat, bronchitis;

mixed with gulhatmi flowers(Althea rosea) and decocted, astea [95A048]

17, 18, 19, 24, 29, 31, 32, 34, Leaf For cough; decoction as tea40, 41, 45 [96A051]

31 Fruit For cystitis; fruit is cooked inembers and applied externally onvagina

elmaMalus syl6estris Miller ssp. 18, 19, 23, 26, 37, 40, 41 Fruit For bronchitis; the middle partof an apple is removed and filledorientalis Browicz var. orientaliswith black pepper and coveredagain with a piece of theremoved part and cooked insideembers, then applied on throatwhile hot [cv.]c

24 Fruit For cough; middle part of anapple is removed and filled withbutter and cooked in embers,then ingested when warmAbscess; this preparation isapplied on abscess to relieve pain

31, 32, 41 Fruit For mumps; cooked on fire andmashed and then applied onneck after cooling

6Persica 6ulgaris Miller LeafSeftali For abdominal pain; decoctionas tea [95A040]

14, 32Prunus a6i6um L. Stalkkiraz copu* To pass kidney stone, dysuria;decoction as tea [cv.]c

10 FruitPyrus elaeagnifolia Pallas For diarrhea; stewed fruitsahlat[95A047]

bozahlat 32 Fruit For diarrhea; fresh or driedfruits are eaten or decoction isused as tea [96A135]

16Rosa canina L. Fruitgulburnu For kidney problems; decoctionis used as tea [95A079]

10 Fruit For wound healing; fruit areboiled and mashed to obtainpoultice and applied on woundsfor rapid recovery [95A051]

9 Branchgul calısı To remove wart; decoction,externally [94B061]

Fruit For bronchitis and asthma;decoction as tea

3, 14, 15 Fruit For hemorrhoids; decoction, asitburnutea [95A028, 94B122]

15 Fruit For diabetes mellitus; decoction,as tea

9itgulu Fruit For stomach ache and stomachcancer; decoction, as tea[95A045]

11 Root For rheumatism; foam appearsituzumuwhile grating the fresh roots,applied to affected extremities[95A041]


Table 1 (Continued)


Fruit For internal diseases andkusburnu 4hemorrhoids; decoction, as tea

Fruit For abdominal ptosis; decoction17is used as tea

18, 30, 31, 32 Fruit For hemorrhoids; decoction isused as tea

Fruit For hemorrhoids, abdominal20, 23, 24, 28, 31, 46pain; boiled and mashed fruitsare ingested after sieving [120].

35 Fruit For abdominal pain; boiled andmashed fruits are ingested

Fruit Abdominal pain; decoction, as43tea

Fruit As tonic, aphrodisiac; 2–3 kg of27fresh fruits are boiled and sievedthrough muslin to obtain pasteand are added honey (3 kg ofhoney for 1 kg of paste). Thispaste is ingested on an emptystomach

Tumors on the37, 41 For hemorrhoids and diarrhea;decoction, as tea [96A226]roots

Tumors on the For hemorrhoids; internally,39, 40powdered and mixed with honeyroots

pisiburnu 8 Fruit For stomach ache, bronchitis, topass kidney stone; decoction, astea [94B053]

Leaf For bradyuria, kidney stone; asSorbus domestica L. 39uveztea

RutaceaeFruit To pass kidney stone; a whole2limonCitrus limon L.

fresh egg is left inside a glass oflemon juice for 24 h until theegg-shell dissolves, an equalamount of pure olive oil is addedand ingested. This remedy shouldbe prepared freshly beforeadministration

Salicaceae2karakavak Wood For rheumatism; ash of thePopulus nigra L.

wood is applied on the affectedjoints [95A022]

Bark As dessiccant for wounds; ash iskavak 37applied on wounds [223]

4 Stem barkcıg To remove warts; ash of theSalix triandra L. ssp. bournmuelleri(Hausskn.) A.Skv barks is mixed with water to

prepare paste and applied onwarts. Due to its irritatingnature, avoid to contact withnormal skin [96B021]

sogut 2 Leaf To remove warts; juice obtainedby pounding is applied on warts[95A021]

Leaf For fever in measles; decoction,3as tea [95A025]

Leaf As antipyretic in sunstroke and31colds; fresh leaves are wettedwith vinegar and applied onchest and back of the patient


Table 1 (Continued)


32, 41 Leaf For colds; fresh, covered thenaked body of the patient [165]

42 Leaf For rheumatic pain; decoction isused to take bath

39 Bark For rheumatic pain; ash of thebarks is applied to extremities todrain the pus

37 Root bark As desiccant for wounds; ash isspread on wounds

Scrophulariaceae9 HerbScrophularia striata Boiss. For lichen infections; fresh herbesek pancarı

is pounded to obtain juice andapplied on the affected area[94B059]

Scrophularia libanotica Boiss. 10 Herb For vesicles on the skin; ingesteddenekutnuor decoction is used as tea[94B074]

10 Herb For vesicles on the skin; ingesteddenekutnuScrophularia umbrosa Dum.or decoction is used as tea[94B072]

sıgır kuyruguVerbascum pumilum Boiss. and 6 Whole plant For anal fistula; boiled in acauldron and anus is exposed toHeldr.vapors [95A038]

9 Leafyalangı As desiccant for wounds; driedand powdered leaves are spreadon wounds [943B064]

11 Leaf For abdominal pain, bronchitis;leaves are first washed and thendecocted to be used as tea[94B093]

sıgır kuyrugu 32Verbascum orientale (L.) All. and Flower For pruritic conditions inurogenital organs; dried or freshother speciesflowers are boiled in milk isapplied externally

Solanaceae9 Fruitacı biber For stomach ache; powdered hotCapsicum annum L.

red pepper fruits are cooked inmilk and ingested [95A047]

kobak otuDatura stramonium L. 30 Fruit, seed For bruises; spiny fruits are putin fire and the ash is mixed withbutter and applied to affectedpart [96A118]

Hyoscyamus niger L. devdala otu 21, 23, 26, 28, 30 Seed Induce intoxication, drunkenness[96A410]

27 Seed For pain and itching in eyes andears; seeds are spread on embersand ears or eyes are exposed tovapors to expel worms [96A517]

disotu 6 Seed For toothache; seeds are spreadon embers and the vapor isinhaled through mouth to expelworms [94B037]

kumacık otu 1, 2 Seed To expel worms from eyes andmouth; seeds are spread onembers and vapor is inhaledthrough mouth, or eyes areexposed to vapor to expel smallwhite worms with black head[95A007]


Table 1 (Continued)


Seedmucuk otu To expel worms from eyes and3mouth; same as described above

18, 19, 22, 23, 27, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35, Fruitdomates Burns; juice is applied on theLycopersicum esculentum L.37, 40, 41, 43 affected area [cv.]c

Solanum melongena L. 17, 20, 23, 27, 40 Stalk As abortifacient; stalk of a fruitpatlıcanis washed and inserted in vagina[cv.]c

Stalkbaldırcan As abortifacient; stalk of a fruit18, 19, 31, 32is washed and inserted in vagina[cv.]c

Fruit For piles; roasted slightly on fire,37mashed and applied on anus

1, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,patates, kumpirSolanum tuberosum L. Tuber For headache; externally, slicedtubers are applied on forehead29, 30, 31, 32, 37, 40, 41, 43, 44after treating with salt orpowdered coffee [cv.]c

Tuber For burns; cooked and mashed18tubers are applied to burns [cv.]c

Tuber For burns; sliced and applied to25affected area

3 Tuber For pain in eyes; graded andapplied to eyes

Tuber For pain in eyes; the middle part25, 43of the tuber is removed andapplied to eye, the hole shouldbe adjusted to the mid of eye

Tuber For bloodshot eyes; a sliced37tuber is applied on eye

Thymeleaceae3 Herbcıtlak For rheumatism; herbs are boiledDaphne oleoides Schreber ssp.

for about 12 hrs and used tooleoidestake a bath while warm. Duringbathing the cauldron is coveredwith a blanket and vapors areinhaled to help treatment[94B027]

Herb For wound healing; pounded2develikotuwith cow milk and applied onwound after spreading some flour[94B021]

Herb For abscess; pounded herbs areezentene 16boiled in milk or water toprepare poultice and applied onabscess to promote suppuration[94B138]

UlmaceaeUlmus glabra Hudson Barkkaraagac To soften blood vessels in18, 22, 37, 46

painful vascular obstruction inextremities, peeled barks are cutinto small pieces and boiled inmilk, then the poultice is appliedto affected extremities [96A328]

19, 20, 23, 40, 41 Root bark To soften blood vessels inpainful vascular obstruction inextremities or muscle stiffness;‘damar tutuklugu’; peeled barksare cut into small pieces andboiled in milk to prepare poulticeand applied to affectedextremities


Table 1 (Continued)


24 Root bark For pain in extremities; cut intosmall pieces and boil in milk andapplied to the affected extremity

21 Root bark To soften broken bones; cut intosmall pieces and boiled in milkand applied on the affectedextremity [96A412]

31, 32, 38, 39, 45 Root To soften vessels in spastic vesseltroubles in extremities; gratedroots are boiled in milk toprepare poultice and applied onthe affected area [96A635]

Urticaceae27 Aerialyapıskan otu For eczema; fresh herbs areParietaria judaica L.

pounded in mortar to obtainjuice and applied to the affectedarea. This juice kept home foruse when necessary [96B033]

cızlaganUrtica dioica L. 9 Herb For abscess; fresh herbs arepounded and applied to abscessto promote suppuration [94B063].As panacea esp. for cancers;decoction is used as tea

21 Herb For wounds, abscess; cut intosmall pieces and boiled in milkto prepare poultice and appliedto wounds [96B017]

10 Herb For piles and liver insufficiency;decoction, as tea [94B082]

34 Herb For rheumatic pain; fresh herbsare applied to extremities[96A609]

29 Herb For rheumatic pain; as tea31 Herb For rheumatic pain; boiled in

water prepare poultice thenapplied to the affected extremities[96A311]

18, 20, 27, 46 Leaf For rheumatic pain; boiled inmilk to prepare poultice thenapplied to the affected part[96A112]

16 Whole For rheumatic pain; fresh plantis boiled in water and used totake bath for 30 min, then left toperspire in wool bed for 30 min

24 Herb For cancer; decoction is used astea

17 Young sprouts For internal diseases; cooked asmeal [96A479]

30 Young shoots For nocturia; decoction as tea30 Young shoots For inflammatory wounds; boiled

in milk and applied to wounds30 Young sprouts For eczema; boiled once daily

drunken1 Root For allergenic itching on theısırgan

skin; infusion, as tea [95A003]2 Herb As panacea; decoction is taken

every morning before breakfastor eaten as fresh

10 Herb For diabetes mellitus; mixed withThymus sp. herbs and used as tea[95A02]


Table 1 (Continued)

Localityb Part used Use and administrationFamily and species name Local namea

[Voucher specimen]

As diuretic; decoction as tea11 Herb[94B095]. For rheumatic pain;fresh herb is applied externallyTo stop nose bleeding; decoction12 Herbis used as tea [95A051]

Herb For hemorrhoids; boiled in milk26to prepare poultice and appliedon anus

Herb For hemorrhoids; cooked and43ingested for 2–3 daysAs abortifacient; washed root isRoot, herb25inserted in vagina or the vaporof the whole herb boiled in waterexposed to vagina

vıcırgan Herb For dermatophytic infections;8decoction is used to washinfected part [94B050]

VitaceaeFor bruises; pounded dry raisin6uzum FruitVitis 6inifera L.is applied to bruises to relievepain [cv.]c

Fruit As antipyretic in sunstroke;asma 18, 24, 32, 37, 40, 41, 42vinegar obtained from fruits isapplied to bare body of thepatientFor sunstroke; pounded garlic30 Fruitmixed with vinegar and thismixture is used to rub the body[96A104]

31 Fruit For abscess; pounded fruits(fresh or dried) are applied toabscess to promote suppurationFor hemorrhoids; a thimbleful of11 Seedseeds is taken orally [95A017]

AnimalBee Treatment of severe felon orbal* 5 Honey

inflammation of breast; a pieceof soap is added to a spoonful ofhoney and boiled until it melts.The mixture is applied to abscessand left 24 h. The ratio of honeyto soap is very important. Highamount of honey may result inthe decomposition of soap andthus ineffectivenessFor diarrhea, constipation; honey14mixed with cold water helps tostop diarrhea, mixed with hotwater is good for constipation

5 Sour honey For erysipelas, to remove thornbal sirkesi*from the skin or for abscess topromote suppuration; filteredhoney is soured and applied onaffected area and powderedtobacco leaves are spread onTo promote suppuration ofBeeswax8balmumu*abscess; externally


Table 1 (Continued)

LocalitybFamily and species name Part used Use and administrationLocal namea

[Voucher specimen]

10 MeatHedgehog (Erinaceus sp.) To strengthen the body inkirpituberculosis; whole animal isinserted in boiling water, askewer is inserted as soon as ittakes its head out from its shelland then its skin is remove andcooked. The fatty meat is eaten

14 Meat For hemorrhoids; eaten2 Meatkostucuk For scrofula; cooked and eaten2Trout Meat For wrongly repaired fracturedalabalık

bones; the whole fish is cut intohalf and applied to the affectedarea and left to putrefy forsoftening bone, so that the bonecan be broken again withoutgiven much pain and refixed. Ifthe patient eats the meat of thefish, it helps this operation

koyun, koyun 3, 6Sheep Skin For wound healing, animal bites;derisi* body is covered with a fresh

fatty skin9 Raw wool For sore throat; applied to neckkirli koyun yunu*

9, 10 Meat For jaundice; raw or cookedWeasel mangelinieaten

a Where a local name is marked with (*), the vernacular name of the used part of vegetable/or animal drug is indicated.b Numbers referring to the collection sites of information are given under Fig. 1.c cv, cultivated

vernacular names. Folk remedies obtained from animalsources are given under a separate section at the end ofTable 1.

The most frequently used folk remedies (70 remedies)are used to treat skin problems such as to promotesuppuration of abscess, to remove nails or slivers fromthe skin, for wound healing, for burns, sprains, bruises,or eczema, as a desiccant, to remove warts or to treatsnake or scorpion bites. On the other hand, 69 remediesare reported to palliate digestive system ailments; i.e.acute and chronic stomach conditions, peptic ulcers,abdominal ptosis, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipa-tion, diseases of the rectum (i.e. hemorrhoids), liver andbiliary tract (i.e. as a choleretic, for hepatic insuffi-ciency). Forty-two remedies are used for inflammatoryailments including. rheumatic pain, edema, erysipelas,scrofula, fever, sunstroke, headache, allergy and torepair broken bones. Other common ailments treatedwith plant remedies are as follows: 35 remedies are usedfor uro-genital system troubles (as diuretics in urologi-cal problems such as kidney diseases, calculi in thekidney and ureter, dysuria, nocturia, cystitis, for pro-statitis, or to treat gynaecological disorders as for in-ducing abortion, dysmenorrhoea, uterine haemorrhagesor inflammation, fertility in women, or as an aphro-disiac); 33 Remedies are used for respiratory systemdisturbances (bronchitis, tonsillitis, sore throat, flu,

cold, sinusitis, pneumonia, cough or asthma); 23 reme-dies to treat transmitted diseases such as infectioushepatitis, tuberculosis, measles, mumps, scabies, aph-tha, lichen or fungal infections or as antihelminthic; 17remedies are used for metabolic dysfunctions or tostrengthen the body; i.e. diabetes, goiter, to treat inter-nal diseases and as a tonic or panacea; 8 remedies areused for folk-illnesses such as to remove water inspleen, eye worm, tooth worm, ear worm, ‘damar tu-tuklugu’ and ‘temre’; 2 remedies to treat problems ofeyes such as bloodshot or sore eyes.

Various types of abscesses (28 remedies) and hemor-rhoids (22 remedies) are the most frequently cited ail-ments for which folk remedies are used in the surveyedarea.

In Table 2, plants which are most frequently cited asa folk remedy for a particular and defined ailment aretabulated. It should be stated that, except for Plantagomajor, Rosa canina and Ulmus glabra, all other plantsare obtained from cultivated plants. This may be due tothe steppe climate and poor flora of the subdivision.The most widely used medicinal plant in the surveyedarea is Plantago major, which has been quoted in 39localities (84.8% of all localities) with 11 different ver-nacular names. As shown in Table 2, in 34 of thelocalities, the leaves of the plant are used for the samepurpose, to provoke suppuration of abscess. This plant


has a very prominent place in Turkish folk medicineand is used widely in all regions of Anatolia, as pointedout in the previous reports (Yesilada et al., 1999 andreferences cited therein). Rosa canina is the other fre-quently used plant and mainly fruits as well asbranches, roots and galls on the roots are used to treatvarious ailments in 29 localities. Usually aerial parts,sometimes young shoots or roots, of Urtica dioica areused in 23 localities for various purposes.

3.1. Folk illnesses

Specialist healers in healing houses which are calledas ‘Ocak’ maybe considered as the most prominentcharacteristic of the region. They mainly employshamanistic rituals for the treatment of certain diseases.The reason why may be the dense settlement ofshamanist Turkmen tribes from Central Asia after 11century in this part of Anatolia.

A ‘Sarılık ocagı’ deals with the treatment of infec-tious hepatitis using methods based on phlebotomy.The ‘Temre ocagı’ is a specialist for the treatment oflichen infections. Some shamanistic rituals were fre-quently employed especially on Wednesdays (is knownas sacred day) for the treatment of this disorder and thedetailed methodology was mentioned previously(Yesilada et al., 1999). Since this therapy is mainlyfocused on the improvement of psychological conditionof the patient, among the various types of lichen infec-tions, this case may be described as ‘lichen simplex’,which is known as a psychosomatic condition mainlycharacterized by itchy and bright papules on the skin.Some rituals were also reported to be employed in thetreatment of warts in ‘Sigil ocagı’. However, evaluationof the methods employed in the treatment of abovementioned disturbances was beyond the aim of thepresent study.

Treatment of another illness, which may also bedescribed as a folk illness ‘kutnu’ in ‘Kutnu ocagı’ isworth mentioning here. ‘Kutnu’ is a disease character-ized by vesicles and an itchy rash on the skin especially

on the extremities or chest. Treatment is applied mainlyin two steps, one of which is based on psychologicalrituals and called ‘parpılama’ by blessing the affectedarea with some suras of the Koran sometimes using aknife (only for ritual not to incise or any other pur-pose). After this ceremony a drug is prescribed as thesecond step. The composition of the drug may varyaccording to the healer. A mixture composed of theseeds of kuncu (Sesamum indicum), seeds of uzerlik(Peganum harmala), red-colored outer barks of theonion bulb and white-colored outer barks of garlicbulbs are spread on a fire and the affected area is thenexposed to the smoke. Other plants used in the therapyof such cases are Colutea cilicica (patlakkutnu otu) andScrophularia species (S. striata, S. libanotica, S. um-brosa); either a decoction of the dried plants or juiceobtained by pounding the fresh materials, or as anointment prepared with the ash of the plant and veg-etable oil and applied to the affected area. Some healersapplied soot from a copper kettle either alone or bymixing with the pounded herbs of Colutea cilicica.

The healers in ‘Kutnu ocagı’ also described anothertype of folk illness and called ‘tatlı yara’ (means sweetwound). This is a milder form of ‘kutnu’, the symptomsare mainly itching. After the initial ritual (parpılama), atea is prescribed which is prepared from a plant called‘Tatlı otu’ (94B049; dried sample, not identified) andthe affected area is also treated with an ointmentcomposed of alum, henna, olive oil and kettle soot, 2–3times daily.

Another interesting and widespread ‘folk illness’,which is recorded in the vicinity of Ankara is ‘damartutuklugu’. Translated literally into English, this is ‘ves-sel stiffness’. They described the condition as havingsymptoms of pain and spasticity in the extremities. Thefolk remedy, prepared by boiling the stem barks, rootbarks or roots of Ulmus glabra in milk is used to softenand dissolve the obstruction in the blood vessels andeventually to stop pain.

Small worms with black heads which induce pain inthe eyes, ears or teeth is observed as another folk-illness

Table 2List of plants which are most frequently cited as a folk remedy for a defined ailment

Number of locality UtilizationPart usedPlant name

Leaf AbscessPlantago major 34Bulb AbscessAllium cepa 21

Cough20Hordeum 6ulgare SeedHeadacheTuberSolanum tuberosum 19

FruitRosa canina 17 HemorrhoidsUlmus glabra Root, root bark, stem bark 16 Vessel stiffness (folk-illness)

Stylus Dysuria, kidney troublesZea mays 14Burns14Lycopersicum esculentum Fruit

Cydonia oblonga Leaf 12 Cough, sore throatCicer arietinum Seed 11 Worms


in the subdivision. Seeds of Hyoscyamus niger is used toexpel worms from eyes, ears or mouth, as described indetail in a previous report (Sezik et al., 1991).Townsend (1944) postulated that the origin of thistreatment was Anatolia. During our field surveys inAnatolia, various species of Hyoscyamus as well assome taxonomically related plants (Datura stramonium)were frequently mentioned as being used to treat thisproblem (Yesilada et al., 1999 and references therein).

In conclusion, one of the conspicuous characters ofthe surveyed area is frequent utilization of cultivatedplants for therapeutic purposes; 31.1% of the plants aresupplied from cultivated plants. This ratio were re-ported between 12.1 and 21.8% in previous papers(Sezik et al., 1997 and references cited therein). This ispossibly due to the poor flora of the surveyed area.Another prominent feature is the assortment of culturaltreatment methods especially those applied by special-ists in ‘Ocak’. Although, their influence has decreasedto a large extent by the recent modernization of thesociety, they still serve as a primary health-unit intowns and villages.

Acknowledgements

Financial support of this study was provided by the

Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan(Grant. No. 06041069).

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Traditional medicine in Turkey IX

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