PARASITIC PLANTS USED AS FOLK MEDICINE IN TÜRKİYE TÜRKİYE’DE HALK İLACI OLARAK KULLANILAN PARAZİT BİTKİLER
Ankara Universitesi Eczacilik Fakultesi Dergisi, vol.50, no.2, pp.484-501, 2026 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 50 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.33483/jfpau.1749244
- Journal Name: Ankara Universitesi Eczacilik Fakultesi Dergisi
- Journal Indexes: Scopus, Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.484-501
- Keywords: Ethnobotany, folk medicine, parasitic plant, traditional use, Türkiye
- Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objective: In this study, parasitic flowering plant taxa used as folk medicine in Türkiye are compiled, and their traditional uses are scientifically evaluated. Ethnobotanical and folk medicine studies performed in Türkiye between 1985 and 2025 were reviewed. The findings were presented in a table and evaluated. Result and Discussion: It was determined that a total of 14 parasitic flowering plant taxa belonging to three families (Convolvulaceae, Santalaceae, and Orobanchaceae) have been traditionally used in 184 different ways in Türkiye. Among these taxa, Viscum album and its subspecies had the highest number of usage records, with 146 records. It was found that the taxa used as folk medicine were most commonly employed against ear-nose-throat and respiratory system diseases. Upon examination of the biological activity studies in the literature, it was recorded that no activity studies have been conducted on Cuscuta babylonica, C. europaea, C. planiflora, Melampyrum arvense, Orobanche minor, and Rhinanthus major, despite their traditional use. Phytochemical and biological activity studies to be carried out on parasitic flowering plants traditionally used in Türkiye are important for the pharmaceutical evaluation and economic utilization of parasitic plants in the Turkish flora.