Ethnopharmacological survey of medicinal plants traded in herbal markets in the Peloponnisos, Greece

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevanceHerbal markets provide a snapshot of local traditional medicine. The aim was to survey the herbal market of Peloponnisos (Southern Greece) and compare it to those of the European and Middle East countries. MethodsThe total number of 103 plant taxa were traded in 13 market spots and their medicinal uses were recorded. Their use, relative importance, and informant agreement ratio values were determined. ResultsEighty-five were of Greek origin and 18 were exclusively imported. Eight could not be identified at the species level. Except for Arnica montana L., all were suggested to be consumed as infusion/decoction, and the aerial parts were the most common parts used. Seventy taxa were recommended for gastrointestinal ailments and 52 for ailments of the respiratory system with a high consensus among the traders. The taxon with the highest use value was Matricaria chamomilla L., followed by Hypericum and Salvia spp., whereas Salvia spp. had the highest diversification of uses. Half of the top cited herbs in all categories had uses which are in agreement to those accepted by the European Medicines Agency, 2018. The Peloponnesian herbal market was very similar to that of Thessaloniki (81 taxa in common) and, to a lesser degree, to those of Cyprus and the Middle East. ConclusionsBased on the results, the plant taxa of Salvia spp., Aloysia citriodora, Achillea millefolium, Calendula officinalis, Juniperus communis, Malva sylvestris, Matricaria chamomilla, Origanum vulgare, Thymbra capitata, Taraxacum and Tilia spp. and Zea mays had novel medicinal uses which deserve further investigation.