Overview of the Therapeutic Effects of Origanum vulgare and Hypericum perforatum Based on Iran’s Ethnopharmacological Documents

Abstract

Herbs have played an important role in the health and wellness of human beings. Nowadays, medicinal herbs are at the forefront of studies of medical science because of their importance in public health. Understanding the traditional and therapeutic effects of medicinal plants is important because they can be effective as a source of medication. Based on the results obtained from the review of Iran's ethnopharmacological literature, it was found that the Origanum vulgare can be used as energy producer, diuretic, stomach booster, nervous system reliever, laxative, anticancer, relief of migraine, fracture healing, numbness of organs, relief of toothache, disinfectant, anticonvulsant, expectorant, analgesic, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, menstrual regulator, decreases urinary tract infection, treatment of sexual dysfunction, colic, sinusitis, cardiac tonic and blockage remover. Also, Hypericum perforatum is used as a digestive and nervous system relaxant, respiratory and uterine stimulant, a booster of the immune system, antidepressant, anticancer, anti-AIDS, analgesic, bile cathartic, relaxing, anti-tussive, analgesic, treating nervous system diseases, astringent, antiparasitic, expectorant, diuretic, and blood pressure regulator. Preliminary results presented in this review study enlighten us that the herbal plants could be the basis for experimental and clinical studies to promote the use of natural agents in the treatment of human diseases.