Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International journal of traditional and complementary medicine research (Online), cilt.4, sa.2, ss.81-96, 2023 (Hakemli Dergi)
Since immemorial, humankind has benefited from plants as nutritient, medicine, cosmetic, or to make tools and shelters for itself. Historically, the trial-and-error method gathered traditional knowledge; practices were developed and sustained. It has been passed on from generation to generation to reach our day. This study aims to gather information on medicinal plants used traditionally against cardiovascular diseases in Türkiye before it is lost forever. In the library of Istanbul University, in the first place, the approachable sources have been scanned thoroughly. Plants’ scientific name, Turkish name, family, used parts, method of use, and effects has been put together in a table. As a result, we composed a report of 129 plants from 43 families used for cardiovascular diseases. It has been concluded that of these, the most outstanding herbs are Crataegus monogyna Jacq., Lavandula stoechas L., Melissa officinalis L., Tribulus terrestris L., Urtica dioica L. and Viscum album L. Rosaceae, Lamiaceae and Asteraceae were the most used plant families. It has been detected that people mainly benefit from the leaves, aerial parts, fruit, and flowers of medicinal plants as infusion or decoction. Although the biological activity studies on the plants most used by the people support the use in cardiovascular diseases, more studies are needed to provide scientific evidence for folklore use, especially for L. stoechas. It is thought that this study may be a resource for developing future herbal medicines or treatments.