Abstract
In this study, the plants used in complementary medicine for the treatment of respiratory tract diseases in Türkiye have been researched. The study was carried out in two stages: literature study and fieldwork. As a result of the study, it was determined that 73 plant species have been used as complementary medicine in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. The genera which have the most species are Salvia L., Thymus L., Origanum L., Alcea L., Datura L., Lavandula L., Malva L., Pinus L. and Verbascum L. The rest of the genera are represented with one species. The most commonly used plant species are Salvia sp., Thymus sp., Tilia L. sp., Mentha L. sp., Lavandula sp., Origanum sp., Thymbra spicata L., Mrytus communis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. Bioactive compounds found in many of these plants; carvacrol, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, tannins, glycosides, anthocyanins, terpenes and other secondary metabolites. According to the results of the literature and field studies it has been determined that these plants are used effectively within the scope of complementary medicine against asthma, bronchitis, chronic cough, influenza, flu, sinusitis, pharyngitis, shortness of breath and tuberculosis. Most of these plants are used in the treatment of all respiratory tract infections without distinguishing the type of infection among the public. As a result; it was determined that 73 plant species researched in this study have the potential to be used in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. With further studies, there are possibilities to develop phytochemicals for use in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases from these plants.
Highlights
Respiratory tract infections are generally grouped under two main headings: upper (Pharyngitis, Laryngitis, Flu, Sinusitis) and lower (Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia) respiratory tract infections
It has been reported that defining local infections above the larynx as upper respiratory tract infections will be more practical in terms of clinical approach (Akan, 2012)
As a result of the literature and field studies, 73 plant varieties used within the scope of traditional and complementary medicine practices were determined (Fig. 1)
Summary
Respiratory tract infections are generally grouped under two main headings: upper (Pharyngitis, Laryngitis, Flu, Sinusitis) and lower (Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia) respiratory tract infections. It is reported that an adult catches cold on average 2 times a year and a child who goes to kindergarten 6-7 times (Akan et al, 2012) With this feature, it is seen that respiratory diseases have a great impact on human life as they affect the quality of life and cause loss of workforce. Unproven herbal treatment may have negative consequences such as side effects and drug interactions that may seriously affect human health It is known, the tendency towards traditional and complementary medicine practices is gradually increasing. Ethnobotanical and clinical studies conducted in recent years show that herbal therapies have an important place among Complementary and Alternative Medicine methods in respiratory tract infections (Yücel and Yücel, 2020).
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