An overview of
Ethnomedicinal plants of
Uzbekistan
Olim K. Khojimatov, Dilovar T. Khamraeva, Alisher N.
Khujanov and Rainer W. Bussmann
Databases and Inventories
Abstract
Background: The Flora of Central Asia is extremely
rich, with about 9800 species of vascular plants.
Uzbekistan, with over 4500 species, has a central
position in the region, and is regarded as one of the
main centers of medicinal plants diversity, in
particular because of its high percentage of local
endemism. About 600 species of medicinal plants
have been documented in Uzbekistan for the
treatment of numerous diseases, many of them
endemic. These plants are still used for the medicinal
traits in industrial scale as well as by local tabibs
(local practitioner).
Methods:
During
research,
semi-structured
interviews were conducted with tabibs, elders and
herders with experience in healing by using
medicinal plants. During expedition visits, herbarium
material and samples of medicines from vegetative
raw materials were collected. Collected materials
were determined using local floristic monographs
and herbarium vouchers.
Results: During fieldwork, we recorded 117
medicinal plants belonging to 45 families and 94
genera, used widely for the treatment of various
diseases. Traditional practitioners prepared the
plants mostly as extract, decoction, powder, bathing
and sometimes used them fresh. Extract and
decoction were generally preferred, and the
preparations were normally made fresh just before
use. Some of the encountered plants are now also
used by private entrepreneurs for the production of
herbal medicines for various purposes.
Conclusions: Our results show that despite the
achievements of modern allopathic medicine, the
population in Uzbekistan continues to actively use
wild medicinal plants for health purposes. The wide
availability of medicinal plants, low costs, and
perceived efficacy contribute to popularization of
traditional medicine.
Keywords:
Ethnobotany;
ethnopharmacology;
medicinal plants; Uzbekistan; Central Asia.
Correspondence
Olim K. Khojimatov1*, Dilovar T. Khamraeva1,
Alisher N. Khujanov1, Rainer W. Bussmann2
1
Institute of Botany, Academy of Science of the
Republic of Uzbekistan, 100125, Durmon Yoli str.,
32, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
2
Institute of Botany, Department of Ethnobotany, Ilia
State University, 0105 Botanikuri St., 0105 Tbilisi,
Georgia
*
Corresponding Author: olimchik@mail.ru
Ethnobotany Research & Applications
20:08 (2020)
Xulosa
Ma'lumot: O'rta Osiyo florasi juda boy bo'lib, 9800 ga
yaqin yursak o'simliklari mavjud (Xasanov 2015).
4500 dan ortiq turga ega bo'lgan O'zbekiston
mintaqada markaziy mavqega ega va dorivor
o'simliklar xilma-xilligining asosiy markazlaridan biri
hisoblanadi, qisman uning mahalliy endemizm
darajasi juda yuqori. O'zbekistonda ko'plab
kasalliklarni davolash uchun dorivor o'simliklarning
600 ga yaqin turi hujjatlashtirilgan, ularning ko'plari
endemikdir. Ushbu o'simliklar hanuzgacha sanoat
miqyosida dorivor xususiyatlari uchun mahalliy
amaliyotchilar tomonidan qo'llaniladi.
Usullari: Tadqiqot davomida dorivor o'simliklardan
foydalangan holda davolash tajribasiga ega bo'igan
tabiblar, oqsoqollar va cho'ponlar bilan intervyu
o'tkazildi. Ekspeditsiya safarlari davomida gerbariy
materiallari va o'simlik xom ashyosidan olingan
dorilar namunalari to'plangan. To'plangan materiallar
mahalliy
floristik
monografiyalar,
o'simliklar
Manuscript received: 03/03/2020 – Revised manuscript received: 12/06/2020 - Published: 21/06/2020
http://dx.doi.org/10.32859/era.20.08.1-19
2
aniqlagichlari va gerbariy namunalari yordamida
aniqlandi.
Natijalar: Ushbu maqolada ko'p yillik etnobotanik
tadqiqotlar natijalari tahlil qilingan bo'lib, unda
O'zbekistonda
an'anaviy
tibbiyotda
yovvoyi
o'simliklarning 100 dan ortiq turlariqo'llanilishi hamda
ulardan hozirda xususiy tadbirkorlar tomonidan turli
maqsadlarda ishlatiladigan dorivor preparatlar ishlab
chiqarishda foydalanilishi keltirilgan.
Xulosa: Bizning natijalarimiz zamonaviy ilmiy
tibbiyotda
erishilgan
yutuqlarga
qaramay,
O'zbekiston aholisi yovvoyi dorivor o'simliklardan
davolanish uchun faol foydalanishda davom etishini
ko'rsatdi. Bunda dorivor o'simliklar ta’sir darajasini
keng qamrovligi, tabiiyligi va arzonbopligi an'anaviy
tibbiyotni ommalashtirishga yordam beradi.
Kalit so'zlar: Etnobotanika; etnofarmakologiya;
dorivor o'simliklar; O'zbekiston; O'rta Osiyo.
Background
There are some regions in the world that have been
very important for the development of human
civilization. Central Asia - the region between the
Caspian Sea and Siberian Altay Mountains, features
prominently among them. According to Nicolai
Vavilov (Vavilov 1992), Central Asia is one of the
eight centers of origin and diversity of cultivated
plants. Many domestic species originated from this
region, including apples, dwarf wheat, lentils, and
garlic. Many wild relatives of onion, apple, spinach,
and almond, to name a few, still grow there along
with other wild relative species of crops. The region
was and is still botanically extremely rich and has a
lot of promising economic and ornamental plants that
have not yet been explored or introduced into
international horticulture. Central Asia includes five
countries of the former Soviet Union: Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan,
Turkmenistan,
and
Uzbekistan.
The long isolation of these countries, both from one
another and from the world, has prevented them
from undertaking a coordinated, regional approach
toward understanding and conserving their
interrelated floras. Central Asia extends 1300 km
from north to south and 2400 km from west to east.
The large Turanian Lowland forms the northern part
of the region. It gradually rises in the southeastern
part to high mountain borders. Large areas are
occupied by deserts and by high mountains,
including the Tien Shan and Pamir-Alay which
harbor numerous plateaus that range from 3700 to
over 5000 m. Fittingly, Pamir means “roof of the
World” in the Tajik language. The Flora of Central
Asia is extremely rich, with about 9800 species of
vascular plants (Khassanov 2015). Uzbekistan, with
over 4500 species, has a central position in the
region. The southern border of the region runs along
Iran, Afghanistan and China. About 600 plant
species are used in traditional medicine, but only
around 200 species have been phytochemically
investigated, and some 150 plants species were
included in the original Pharmacopoeia of
Uzbekistan (Khojimatov et al. 1993). Traditional
medicine in Central Asia has a long history, which
began many centuries ago, but its most notable
period was in the 10th - 11th centuries. Many early
scientists tried to explore the secrets of folk
medicines, including, Abu Raihon Beruni (973 1048) (Figure 1) and Abu Ali ibn Sino (Avicenna)
(980-1037) (Figure 2), both of which contributed
greatly to the early codification of herbal medicines.
Avicenna was born in the territory of modern
Uzbekistan, near Bukhara. He wrote 456 books,
among them 62 books about medicines. The most
famous part of his work is the “Canon” in 5 volumes
(Ibn Sina 1982, Uzbek edition), the second volume
of which was dedicated to medicinal plants,
describing about 1500 drugs and almost 800 species
of medicinal vascular plants. Historically Uzbek and
Tajik botanists, especially in 20th century made
significant contributions to develop pharmacognosy,
pharmacology and phytotherapy (Khojimatov &
Kobetc 1988; Khojimatov & Olloyorov 1988;
Kholmatov et al. 1984).
Figure 1. Abu Raykhon Beruny
3
Figure 2. Avicenna
Since Uzbekistan's independence, the use of
medicinal herbs in the treatment of various diseases
has been significantly developed. This was facilitated
by measures taken by the State in terms of
popularizing the centuries-old experience of folk
medicine, through the creation of the Academy of
Folk Medicine of Uzbekistan, the Ibn Sina
International Foundation (Avicenna), as well as the
way out of the shadow of folk healers (tabibs), which
in previous times was not welcome treatment by folk
means. All this led to the further popularization of the
traditional medicine and the local population began
to use herbs more confidently. Often, herbal
preparations have a wider spectrum of action
compared to synthetic preparations, and, in view of
their naturalness, are often more tolerable to the
human body, due to less toxicity. Nowadays
pharmacy chains and markets are selling medicinal
plants in natureal state, as well as, extracts and
tinctures, especially of popular species like Ziziphora
pedicellata, Origanum tyttanthum, Matricaria
chamomilla, Achillea millefolium, among others.
The purpose of this work was to identify wild
medicinal plants of the flora of Uzbekistan used by
the local population for medicinal purposes, and to
analyze and systematize the information received.
Materials and Methods
Classical ethnobotanical methods were used for
gathering information obtained from the mountain
villages of Uzbekistan and provided by the local
tabibs, schoolteachers and shepherds. Participants
were selected by snowball sampling and gave their
prior informed consent before conducting semistructured interviews using a standard questionnaire.
Plant samples were collected on walks in the fields.
Ethnobotanical studies were carried out in the spring
- autumn periods of 2014-2019. The Kashkadarya,
Samarkand and Tashkent regions of the territory of
the Republic of Uzbekistan were examined.
Information was collected in mountain settlements by
interviewing tabibs, elders, shepherds and other
storage media, of which 9 interviewees were tabibs,
9 were elders and 7 shepherds. As a rule,
representatives of the male part of the population are
engaged in traditional medicine in Central Asia, as a
result of which, all the respondents were men. For
ethnobotanical work, we used a specially developed
questionnaire to elucidate more detailed information
convenient for further analysis (Khojimatov, 2008).
The age of the interviewees ranged from 38 to 84
years. Interviews were conducted in Uzbek, Tadjik
and Russian after receiving prior informed consent.
It must also be emphasized that many tabibs are
however not willing to disclose their knowledge about
treatment methods and the plants used, since
traditionally the experience of the healer is
transmitted only to family members from generation
to generation and, therefore, the recipes for
preparing treatment are kept secret.
All specimens have been taxonomically analyzed,
and all herbarium samples are stored in the
Herbarium (TASH) of the Institute of the Botany
Academy
of
Sciences,
Uzbekistan.
The
nomenclature of species was revised in using
www.tropicos.org, and family classification follows
APGIII (APG 2009).
Results
During fieldwork, we recorded 117 medicinal plants
used widely for the treatment of various diseases
(Table 1). Traditional practitioners prepared the
plants mostly as extract, decoction, powder, bathing
and sometimes used them fresh. Extract and
decoction were generally preferred, and the
preparations were normally made fresh just before
use. For some plants like Issirik (Peganum harmala),
the aerial part was burned, and the smoke was
inhaled, for treatment and prophylactics of infectious
diseases, such as influenza, as also reported by
other studies (Astulla et al. 2008; Moloudizargari et
al. 2013). Species had often multiple uses, and e.g.
24 medicinal species were commonly used as food
(Table 1). These plants were also used for the
preventive treatment of diseases such as vitamin
deficiency and common cold.
4
Table 1. The most using species in traditional medicine of Middle Asia
Scientific name
Local name
Part used
Amaryllidaceae
Allium karataviense Regel
Piyoz
bulbs
Allium suworowii Regel
Piyoz
Ungernia sewerzowii (Regel) B. Fedtsch.
Qoraqovuk
Ungernia nvictoris Vved. ex Artjush.
Omonqora
Anacardiaceae
Pistacia vera L.
Rhus coriaria L.
Apiaceae
Elwendia persica (Boiss.) Pimenov &
Kljuykov
Ferula foetida Regel
Heracleum lehmannianum Bunge
Traditional uses
Remarks
Herbarium samples voucher
(TASH)
fresh
common cold
E, F
bulbs
fresh
F
bulbs,
leaves
bulbs,
leaves
extract
skin diseases, vitamin
deficiency
bronchitis, for treatment
of wounds
poliomyelitis
specimen voucher K. Tojibaev,
07.06.2015. №7
specimen voucher N.
Beshko,12.05.2012.№258
specimen voucher G. Khamidov,
24.05.1987. №37
specimen voucher K. Khozhimatov,
09.07.1960. №232
Pista
galls
extract
F
Tatum
leaves,
fruits
decoction
cardiac and respiratory
diseases
hypertension, gastric
ulcer
specimen voucher A. Kazakbaev,
09.06.1986. №136
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
03.06.1972. №405
Zira
seeds
decoction
F
Sassiq
kovrak
Boldirgan
gum
stomach, cardiac
diseases
for wounds, diabetes,
tuberculosis
dental and skin
diseases, convulsion
liver and gall-bladder
diseases, rheumatism,
nephritis, eczema
(Kurimoto et al., 2011;
Khojimatov et al., 2015)
external for skin
diseases
specimen voucher G. Gaffarov,
27.07.1986. №5335
specimen voucher N. Beshko,
05.05.2011. №005
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
31.05.1980. № 502
specimen voucher A. Pyatayeva,
14.07.1976.№2
headache, cardiac
diseases
external for wounds
E,T
Mediasia macrophylla (Regel et
Schmalh.) Pimenov
Alqoruti
leaves,
roots
a. p.
Prangos pabularia Lindl.
Shashir
a. p.
Apocynaceae
Vinca erecta Regel & Schmalh.
Barigul
whole,
plants
Forms of
preparation
extract
fresh, extract
extract
fresh, extract
extract
decoction
powder
Araceae
E
E
E, F
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
31.05.1980. №515
specimen voucher E. Korotkova,
26.06.1967. №1163.
5
Acorus calamus L.
Igir
rhizome
powder
extract
liver cancer
diuretic, tonic for
central nervous system
specimen voucher N. Naralieva,
30.05.2015.№56
Asteraceae
Achillea filipendulina Lam.
Dastarbosh
a. p.
extract
stomach diseases
Achillea millefolium L.
Buymadaron
a.p.
extract
stomach diseases
Arctium tomentosum Mill.
Qarikiz
Artemisia absinthium L.
Erman
leaves,
roots
a.p.
Artemisia dracunculus L.
Sherolgin
a.p.
Bidens tripartita L.
Ititkanak
leaves
bath
Centaurea cyanus L.
Butakuz
flowers
decoction
fever
Centaurea. depressa M. Bieb.
Bulakuz
flowers
decoction
common cold
Cichorium intybus L.
Sachratki
roots
decoction
cardiac diseases
Helichrysum maracandicum Popov ex
Kirp.
Inula macrophylla Kar. & Kir.
Ulmasut
flowers
decoction
Sariqandiz
roots
extract
Inula helenium L.
Qoraandiz
roots
extract
Onopordum acanthium L.
Oqqarak
a.p.
decoction
Rhaponticum integrifolium C. Winkl.
Levzeya
roots
extract
liver and gall-bladder
diseases
intestinal diseases,
laxative
blood coagulant,
laxative
astma, cought, high
blood pressure
as a tonic, diabetes
Tanacetum pseudachillea C. Winkl.
Dastarbosh
a.p.
decoction
Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber ex F.H.
Wigg.
Koki
leaves,
roots
specimen voucher A. Yuldashev,
01.06.1987. №12
specimen voucher A. Egamberidev,
14.06.2001.№64
specimen voucher Yu. Grigoriev,
06.07.1959. № 32.
specimen voucher K. Djabbarov,
23.07.1983. №530
specimen voucher K. Toyjanov,
14.07.1996. №101
specimen voucher S.
Sokhobiddinov, 09.06.1949. №1849
specimen voucher O. Turginov,
10.07.2012. №87
specimen voucher T. Makhkamov,
25.04.2006.№26
specimen voucher T. Makhkamov,
01.05.2005. №8.
specimen voucher A. Khujanov,
03.07.2018. №38
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
23.07.1988. №174
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
18.06.1980. №108
specimen voucher E. Kortokova,
25.06.1978. №229
specimen voucher I.
Raikova,01.09.1987.№1535
specimen voucher I.
Khamidhodjaev, 25.07.1973.№78
specimen voucher S. Kovalevskaya,
14.04.1961. №45
decoction
extract
extract
extract
rheumatism, external
skin diseases
liver, kidney,
sleeplessness
stomach diseases
skin diseases
laxative
diuretic, laxative, liver
diseases
E
6
Tussilago farfara L.
Oqqaldirmoq
a.p.
Xanthium strumarium L.
Guzatkon
fruits,
leaves
Berberidaceae
Berberis integerrima Bunge
Zirk
bark
decoction
Berberis oblonga (Regel) C.K. Schneid.
Qorazirak
fruits
extract
Brassicaceae
Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik.
Jagjag
a. p.
decoction
blood coagulant
Dugboy
a. p.
decoction
liver, nausea, skin rash
Kovar
Roots
extract
fruits
Yetmak
Campanulaceae
Codonopsis clematidea (Schrenk ex
Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) C.B. Clarke
Capparaceae
Capparis spinosa L.
decoction
extract
asthma, cough
specimen voucher O. Turginov,
23.04.2012.
specimen voucher R.
Yesemuradova, 16.05.2010.
№0214.
dysentery, wounds
liver and kidnes
chseascs
rheumatism, bruise and
wounds
F
F
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
25.05.1978. №758
specimen voucher H.
Mirzakarimova, 16.06.2008. №201
specimen voucher E. Sulaymonov,
23.05.2006. №2
E
specimen voucher K. Tojibaev,
11.06.2004. №56
specimen voucher L. Botirova,
01.10.2010. №32
decoction
rheumatism, liver
diseases
jaundice, diabetes
roots
extract
bronchitis, cough
specimen voucher K. Toyjanov,
24.07.1996. №118
Itsigak
shoots
extract
Salsola richteri (Moq.) Kar. ex Litw.
Cherkez
a.p.
extract
lung tuberculosis,
asthma
hypertension,
headache (Pak et al.,
2019)
Convolvulaceae
Convolvulus arvensis L.
Quypechak
leaves,
roots
a.p.
extract
laxative, wounds
Caryophyllaceae
Allochrusa gypsophiloides (Regel)
Schischk.
Chenopodiaceae
Anabasis aphylla L.
Convolvulus subhirsutus Regel &
Schmalh.
Ming bosh
decoction
convulsion, asthma
T
T
specimen voucher K. Buriev,
17.10.1974.№95
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
18.05.1976. №584
specimen voucher E. Abdullajanov,
2.7.1974. №214
specimen voucher N. Beshko,
16.07.2012. №264
7
Crassulaceae
Rhodiola heterodonta (Hook. f. & Thoms.)
Boriss.
Cupressaceae
Juniperus polycarpos var. seravschanica
(Kom.) Kitam.
Junioperus pseudosabina Fisch. &
C.A.Mey.= J. turkestanica Kom.
Elaeagnaceae
Elaeagnus angustifolia L.
Oltin ildiz
roots
ethanol
tonic, impotence
Archa
fruits
extract
Urik archa
fruits
extract
kidney, liver, urinary
bladder diseases
rheumatism
Jiyda
extract
bruise and wounds,
F
uterine cervical erosion,
for burn
F
Hippophae rhamnoides L.
Chakanda
leaves,
fruits
fruits
Ephedraceae
Ephedra equisetina Bunge
Togqizilcha
shoots
extract
Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & C.A. Mey.
Qizilcha
shoots
extract
Euphorbiaceae
Euphorbia jaxartica Prokh.
Sutlama
latex
fresh
Fabaceae
Alhagi pseudalhagi Desv.
Yantoq
a.p.
decoction
Astragalus eximius Bunge
Aslragal
a.p.
extract
cough
Astragalus sieversianus Pall.
Pahtak
a.p.
extract
Cullen drupaceum (Bunge) C.H. Stirt.
Oqqurai
powder
Glycyrrhiza glabra L.
Shirinmiya
leaves,
roots
roots
epilepsy, nervous
system diseases
eczema, prolapsed
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.
Qashqar
beda
a.p.
oii
decoction
extract
T
specimen voucher V. Titov,
10.08.1932.№132.
specimen voucher V. Titov,
10.08.1932.№127.
common cold, gastric
ulcer, diabetes
bronchial asthma,
rheumatism
wart and corn
fever, diuretic, cough
cardiac and respiratory
diseases
laxative, cough
specimen voucher I. Levichev,
17.06.1980. №90
specimen voucher H. Khaydarov,
12.06.2018. №56
specimen voucher H. Khaydarov,
12.06.2018. №12
specimen voucher K. Borlev,
28.05.1981. №377
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
14.05.1975. №54
E, T
specimen voucher I. Maltsev,
18.07.1987. №sn
specimen voucher T. Makhkamov,
15.07.2008. №241
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
25.05.1980. № 145
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
22.05.1976 №636
specimen voucher A.Kuziev,
15.06.2006. №52
specimen voucher O. Turginov,
13.06.2011. №0062
specimen voucher T.
Makhkamov,06.07.2006.№312
8
Thermopsis alterniflora Regel & Schmalh
Afsonak
a.p.
extract
bronchitis, pneumonia
T
Thermopsis lanceolata R. Br.
Afsonak
a.p.
extract
bronchitis, pneumonia
T
Grossulariaceae
Ribes nigrum L.
Qorakat
fruits
fresh,
decoction
gastric ulcer, common
cold
F
Hypericaceae
Hypericum elongatum C.A. Mey.
Dalachoi
a.p.
decoction
Hypericum scabrum L.
Choiut
a.p.
decoction
Hypericum perforatum L.
Qizil-poicha
a.p.
decoction
blood coagulant,
antiseptic
cough, bruise and
wounds
stomach and gallbladder diseases
Juglandaceae
Juglans regia L.
Yongoq
leaves
extract
Leontice ewersmannii Bunge
Ersovun
tubers
extract
diabetes, skin
tuberculosis
laxative, diuretic
Thalictrum foetidum L.
Sanchikut
a.p.
extract
hypertension
Thalictrum isopyroides C.A. Mey.
Sanchikut
roots
extract
malaria, jaundice,
tuberculosis
Lamiaceae
Dracocephalum komarovii Lipsky
Buzbosh
a. p.
extract
Hyssopus seravschanicus (Dub.) Pazij
Kukut
a. p.
extract
Lagochilus inebrians Bunge
Bozulbang
decoction
Leonurus turkestanicus V.I. Krecz. &
Kupr.
Melissa officinalis L.
Buyrakchoi
Limon-ut
flowers,
leaves
whole
plants
a.p.
extract
high blood pressure
(Uchiyama et al., 2006)
cough, bronchitis,
asthma
blood coagulant,
hypertension
neuro - cardiac
diseases, diabetes
anemia, asthma
Mentha asiatica Boriss.
Yalpiz
a. p.
decoction
against nausea, cough
ethanol
specimen voucher R.
Halmukhamedova, 19.06.1975.
№69
specimen voucher K. Toyjanov,
17.09.1978. №5269.
specimen voucher O. Turginov,
29.09.2006.№231
specimen voucher H. Esankulov,
26.06.2010. №265
specimen voucher A.
Egamberdiev,11.06.2001.№153
specimen voucher A.
Egamberdiev,11.06.2001.№203
F
specimen voucher M. Tulaganova,
10.08.1972.
specimen voucher R.
Yesemuratova,12.05.2009.№0169.
specimen voucher A. Pyatayeva,
07.1966. №2091
specimen voucher E. Korovin,
07.1939. №544.
E
specimen voucher T.
Khudaiberdiev, 30.07.1967.№234
specimen voucher K. Djumaev,
25.07.1972. №23
specimen voucher N. Beshko,
22.07.2007. № 7068
specimen voucher N. Beshko,
20.07.2009. № 9032
specimen voucher G. Khamidov,
25.06.1973. №37
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
24.06.1996. №512
E
E
9
Origanum tyttanthum Gontsch.
Tograihon
a.p.
Salvia sclarea L.
Mavrak
flowers
extract
oro-dental diseases
Stachys betoniciflora Rupr.
Togqudusi
a. p.
extract
menstrual disorders,
neurosis
E
Ziziphora pedicellata Pazij & Vved.
Qiyiq-ut
a.p.
extract
for gall-bladder stones,
hypertension
E
roots
extract
roots
extract
hydropsy, inflammation
of urinary, bladder
hypertension
F
Asparagus persicus Baker
Dorivor
sarsabil
Sarsabil
Malvaceae
Althaea armeniaca Ten.
Gulhairi
roots
decoction
respiratory diseases
Dorivor
gulhairi
roots
decoction
respiratory and
stomach diseases
Moraceae
Ficus carica L.
Anjir
Morus alba L.
Tut
Morus nigra L.
Qoratut
leaves,
fruits
leaves,
bark
fruits
leaves,
bark
Fruits
Liliaceae
Asparagus officinalis L.
Althea officinalis L.
decoction
fresh, extract
laxative, diuretic
decoction
skin diseases, common
cold
diuretic, hypertension
fresh
decoction
stomach disorders
hypertension
fresh
stomach disorders
E
specimen voucher G. Goipova,
04.07.1961. № 340.
specimen voucher I. Makhmedov,
26.06.1978.№41
specimen voucher R.
Kholmukhamedova, 20.06.1975.
№32.
specimen voucher L. Botirova,
01.05.2006. №164
specimen voucher N. Beshko,
18.07.2015. .№118
specimen voucher M. Sovetkina,
1.08.1945. №500
specimen voucher K. Toyjanov,
22.08.1960.№148
specimen voucher M. Abdullaev,
28.07.1968.№2
F
F
F
specimen voucher O. Khassanov,
30.07.1959. №56
specimen voucher A. Butkov,
15.05.1955. №69
specimen voucher O. Khassanov,
30.07.1959. №45
Onagraceae
Epilobium angustifolium L.
Bargchoi
a.p.
decoction
gastric ulcer,
inflammation of throat
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
05.2001. №146
Orchidaceae
Dactylorhiza umbrosa Kar. & Kir.) Nevski
Salib
tubers
decoction
cough, impotence
specimen voucher F. Karimov,
07.06.2011. №5
10
Papaveraceae
Fumaria vaillantii Loisel.
Shotara
a.p.
Papaver pavoninum C.A. Mey.
Qizgaldak
flowers
Roemeria refracta DC.
Qizgaldok
flowers
Plantaginaceae
Gratiola officinalis L.
Safrouti
a.p.
Plantago major L.
Bakayaprok
leaves
extract
Plantago lanceolata L.
Bargizub
leaves
extract
Polygonaceae
Polygonum aviculare L.
Qushtili
a.p.
decoction
P. coriarium Grig.
Toron
roots
extract
dysentery, diarrhea
E
Persicaria hydropiper (L.) Delarbre
Suv qalampir
a.p.
extract
Rheum maximowiczii Losinsk.
Ravoch
roots
extract
malaria, blood
coagulant
diarrhea, malaria
E,F
Punicaceae
Punica granatum L.
Anor
bark, fruits
extract
Ranunculaceae
Adonis turkestanica (Korsh.) Adolf
Sank gul
a.p.
Delphinium semibarbatum Bien. ex Boiss.
Isparak
Rhamnaceae
Rhamnus cathartica L.
Ziziphus jujuba Mill.
decoction,
bath
menstrual disorders as
bath for skin diseases
specimen voucher D. Jamalova,
05.06.2006.
extract
cough, common cold
extract
skin rash, fever
specimen voucher R. Khalkuziev,
24.05.1966. №108
specimen voucher A. Ibragimov,
05.06.2006.
decoction
diuretic, jaundice
T
cough, external for
wounds
asthma, cough,
external for wounds
blood coagulant
specimen voucher V. Pasius,
18.05.1932. №73.
specimen voucher N. Beshko,
18.07.1994. №62
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
24.06.1996.№134
specimen voucher T. Sarybaev,
08.06.1970. №43
specimen voucher A. Ibragimov,
25.05.2006. №192
specimen voucher M. Nabiev,
31.07.1954.№472
specimen voucher A. Li,
16.06.1960.№27
stomach diseases,
laxative
F
specimen voucher S. Chevrenidi,
18.08.1955. №503
decoction
cardiac diseases
E, T
a.p.
decoction
tonsillitis
T
specimen voucher O. Turginov.,
11.05.2012.№314
specimen voucher A. Batashov,
05.05.2012.№211
Togjumrut
fruits
extract
F
Unabi
fruits
fresh, extract
cancer, skin and
stomach diseases
anemia, asthma,
kidney, liver diseases
F
specimen voucher T. Adylov,
09.07.1972. №19
specimen voucher K. Toyjanov,
19.09.1998. №265
11
Rosaceae
Amygdalus communis L.
Bodom
oil, seeds
fresh
asthma, cough, anemia
A. spinosissima Bunge
Bodomcha
seeds
fresh
anemia
Crataegus pontica Koch
Dulana
flowers
fruits
ethanol
decoction
Crataegus turkestanica Pojark.
Dulana
Potentilla anserina L.
Ak-dana
flowers
fruits
a.p.
ethanol
decoction
extract
Rubus idaeus L.
Parmanchak
fruits
decoction
Rosa canina L.
Itburun
fruits
decoction
Rosa fedtschenkoana Regel
Namatak
fruits
extract
Sorbus tianschanica Rupr.
Chetani
fruits
Spiraea hypericifolia L.
Tobulgi
whole
plant
Rubiaceae
Rubia tinctorum Lapeyr.
Ruyan
rhizome
Rutaceae
Dictamnus albus L.
Togturbid
Saxifragaceae
Bergenia ugamica V.N. Pavlov
Scrophulariaceae
Verbascum songaricum Schrenk
F
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
02.09.2005.№281
specimen voucher K. Toyjanov,
07.07.2006.№451
specimen voucher N. Beshko,
15.09.2012.№213
cardiac diseases,
hypertension,
sleeplessness
cardiac diseases,
hypertension
hemorrhage
F
common cold, cough,
fever
fever, stomach
disorders
vitamin deficiency
F
fresh, extract
vitamin deficiency
F
decoction
stomach disorders,
vermifuge
specimen voucher A. Gazybaev,
12.07.1991.№344
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
01.05.2002. №189
specimen voucher A. Egamberdyev,
11.06.2001. №211
specimen voucher K. Tojibaev,
19.07.2009. №245
specimen voucher A. Egamberdyev,
13.06.2001.№95
specimen voucher U. Pratov,
02.09.2005.№281
specimen voucher K. Toyjanov,
07.07.2006.№451
extract
diuretic, dissolve kidney
stones
specimen voucher T. Adylov,
05.07.1957. №582.
whole
plant
extract
epilepsy, jaundice,
snake bite
specimen voucher I. Maltsev,
10.09.1998. №127
Badan
roots
decoction
menstrual disorders,
immuno-stimulant
Sigir kuyruk
flowers
decoction
cough, external for
wounds
E,F
E
specimen voucher I. Maltsev,
10.09.1998. №127
specimen voucher L. Nazarenko,
27.06.1970. №185
12
Solanaceae
Datura stramonium L.
Bangidevona
leaves
extract
Hyoscyamus niger L.
Mingdevona
leaves
extract
Urticaceae
Urtica dioica L.
Gazanda ut
leaves
extract
blood coagulant,
vitamin deficiency
Zygophyllaceae
Peganum harmala L.
Issiriq
a.p.
smoke, bath,
decoction
influenza, malaria,
as bath for itching
Legend: E — Endemic plants, F — Food, T — Toxic
external use only for
rheumatism
external use only for
rheumatism
T
T
specimen voucher H. Esanov,
12.05.2006. №82.
specimen voucher R. Khalkuziev,
02.06.1984. №99
specimen voucher H. Esanov,
17.07.2009. №405
T
specimen voucher L. Botirova,
06.2010. №512
13
Taxonomically the 117 species belonged to 45
families and 94 genera. The families which were
more frequently used are shown in Table 2.
Medicinal plants from Amaryllidaceae, Asteraceae,
Lamiaceae and Rosaceae are prevailing in usage in
Central Asia (Keusgen et al. 2006.; Ryabushkina et
al. 2008; Sakhobiddinov 1948; Sharopov et al.
2015). Local people interviewed in Uzbekistan
(Table 3) were using traditional remedies mainly for
the treatment of respiratory, gastrointestinal and liver
diseases. Medicinal plants used to treat cancer still
are a very recent emergence.
Table 2. The most using plant families of medicinal plants
Family
Amaryllidaceae
Apiaceae
Asteraceae
Fabaceae
Juglandaceae
Lamiaceae
Polygonaceae
Rosaceae
Total
Genera
2
5
14
6
6
10
2
7
52
Species
4
5
18
8
4
10
4
10
63
%
3,42%
4,27%
15,38%
6,84%
3,42%
8,55%
3,42%
8,55%
53,85%
Table 3. Rank-ordered list of folk remedies according to group of ailments employed for the treatment
Diseases
Genera
Species
%
11
3
12
6
21
12
6
17
9
2
22
30
151
12
3
12
6
23
12
6
19
9
2
25
34
163
7,36%
1,84%
7,36%
3,68%
14,11%
7,36%
3,68%
11,66%
5,52%
1,23%
15,34%
20,86%
100,00%
Cardiovascular
Oro-dental
Skin
Endocrine system
Gastrointestinal
Genital-urinary
Infectious
Liver
Nervous system
Tumours
Respiratory
Other
Total
For the most used plants in folk medicine and exportoriented species (Ungernia victoris, Ferula foetida,
Helichrysum maracandicum, Capparis spinosa,
Ephedra equisetina, Glycyrrhiza glabra), we
assessed the current state of natural populations in
the regions of the Republic of Uzbekistan. As a result
of the study, we identified opportunities for the
annual exploitation of wild resources, compiled GIS
maps and proposed measures for sustainable use,
which in the future will optimize the production of raw
materials and preserve existing plant populations.
The obtained data serve as the basis for further
ethnobotanical research to identify original data on
the use of medicinal plants in folk medicine in
treatment. Established reliable data through analysis
will be proposed for further in-depth study by
phytochemists, pharmacologists and toxicologists,
which in the future will replenish the arsenal of
medicines of scientific medicine.
Discussion
Around 100 different nationalities live in Uzbekistan,
and ethnic differences explain to some extent the
wide spectrum of medicinal plant uses found.
Traditional medicine has been an invaluable
segment of healthcare in the past and needs to be
documented to prevent the disappearance of
knowledge. However, our study indicates that
medicinal plant knowledge is still widespread in
Uzbekistan. After mostly focusing on chemically
synthesized medicines in the 20th century, the
pharmaceutical industry is slowly shifting towards
herbal preparations, in particular in the form of herbal
supplements, and the interest in natural remedies
and alternative healing methods is increasing
throughout the western world. In addition, despite
great advances in the chemical industry, some plant
substances, e.g. the compounds found in Valerian
root (Valeriana officinalis L.), or their natural
combinations are unique, and yet non-replicable by
synthetic chemistry.
14
Like in many regions worldwide, the population of
Uzbekistan is facing the spread of cardiovascular
and gastrointestinal diseases. For treatment of these
diseases, people are frequently using the aerial parts
of the Hypericum scabrum (Matsuhisa et al. 2002;
Tanaka et al. 2004), Leonurus turkestanicus and
Adonis turkestanica (Figure 3). Using samples
Figure 3. Flowers of Adonis turkestanica (Korsh.) Adolf.
Figure 4. Flowers of Bergenia ugamica V.N. Pavlov
collected during our investigation, it was found that
Bergenia ugamica (Figure 4) contains substances
with immuno-stimulating activity, confirming the oral
information of participants, who indicated that the
root of Badan (B. ugamica) make the human body
stronger to defend against diseases.
15
Several endemic species are still widely used as
astringents and coagulants (e.g. Bozulbang Lagochilus inebrians). All parts of L. inebrians
contain the diterpene-alcohol lagochilin, alkaloids,
essential oils, tannins, resins, Ca, Mg and 20
different microelements (Co, Ti, Au), vitamins C and
K, and organic acids (Kholmatov et al. 1984). Drugs
prepared from Bozulbang are widely used in official
public healthcare as blood coagulant, sedative for
nervous diseases and for treatment various skin
diseases as eczema, itching, etc.
Another endemic species, naturally growing in
Pamir-Alay (Hissar ridge), is Omonkora - Ungernia
victoris (Figure 5). Ethnobotanical information about
this plant indicates that traditionally the population is
still using baked bulbs and fresh leaves for the
disinfection of wounds. Local people are also still
making glue from bulbs. All parts of U. victoris
contain alkaloids (leaves-0,33%-1%; bulbs 0,8%0,9%, especially galantamin 0,7%-1%, licorin
0,073%, gordenin 0.039%, tatecin 0,1%, pankratin
0,15%, narvedin 0,0054%). The maximum
concentration of alkaloids in U. victoris can be found
in early spring. This plant also contains cumarin
(0,09%), essential oils 0,12%, resins 6%, pectin
4,9%, mucus 7%, sugars 6,1% and organic acids
8,91% (Khojimatov et al. 2009). The leaves and
bulbs of the plant are now used as an industrial
source of the alkaloid galantamin, which is widely
used in allopathic medicine for treatment of
poliomyelitis and polyneuritis.
Figure 5. Flowers of Ungernia victoris Vved.
Another endemic species Alkoruti - Mediasia
macrophilla (Figure 6) is usually added to milk or
dairy products to keep them fresh. It is also used as
medicine by local people in Uzbekistan. The aerial
parts have been used traditionally as a perfume, an
appetite enhancer, as a natural preservative, and for
treatment of rheumatism, nephritis, and eczema
(Kurimoto et al. 2010).
Only recently Codonopsis bactriana (Figure 7) was
described. This species is closely related to Tien
Shan - Dzhungarian C. clematidea (Schrenk.) C.B.
Clarke, which is found commonly in the Western
Pamir-Alay (Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) and used by
tabibs for the treatment of different kinds of liver
diseases, such as hepatitis, jaundice and the first
stage of liver cirrhosis. Such traditional knowledge
has already found its way into the market economy.
Ethnobotanical studies provided the base for the
development of an original and effective “Species
cholagogae Chodjimatovii,” which has been in use
since 2002. This drug has shown high efficacy in the
treatment of various forms of hepatitis, the initial
stages of cirrhosis and diseases of the biliary tract. It
was patented on 26.03.2006, No. IAP 02046,
registration certificate dated September 30, 2017 No.
02/548/17 (Figure 8).
Another
endemic
species
Buzbosh
–
Dracocephalum komarovii (Figure 9) is a perennial
spiny semi-shrub growing in the alpine zone at 30003600 m in the West Tien Shan mountain system.
Local people are using aerial parts in a tea to cure
various disorders such as inflammatory diseases
and hypertony (Khojimatov et al. 1995; Uchiyama et
al. 2003).
16
Figure 6. Mediasia macrophylla (Regel & Schmalh.) Pimenov
Figure 7. Flower of Codonopsis clematidea (Schrenk) C.B. Clarke
17
Figure 8. Species cholagogae Chodjimatovii
Figure 9. Dracocephalum komarovii Lipsky
In order to standardize the available ethnobotanical
information, the Institute of Botany (Tashkent) has
developed a database containing detailed
information for each plant, e.g. scientific names
(accepted name and, when necessary, main
synonyms), common name used in literature, and
any other names commonly in use, geographical
distribution, morphological description, healing
properties, traditional medicinal usage and known
adverse effects, information on scientifically proven
and medicinally approved data, and information
received from sources related to traditional medicine,
including associated remedies and recipes.
Conclusions
Our results show that despite the achievements of
modern allopathic medicine, the population of
Central Asia continues to actively use wild medicinal
plants for health improvement. This refutes our
hypothesis that knowledge is very widely lost. The
18
decisive factors for the choice and acceptance of
herbal drugs are primarily the centuries-old
experiences that forms the basis of traditional
medicine. This is followed by a wide range of plant
effects, that, in most cases, low toxicity of plant
preparations, their low cost, and easy availability. All
these factors contribute to the increasing
popularization of treatments with medicinal plants,
both in pure form and as part of multicomponent
preparations. We consider it very important to
continue ethnobotanical research, covering more
and more territories and involving more participants
who possess unique knowledge in the field, which
may in the future help to develop new effective drugs
based on centuries-old experience of folk medicine.
Astulla A, Zaima K, Matsuno Y, Hirasawa Y, Ekasari
W, Widyawaruyanti A, Zaini NCh, Morita H. 2008.
Alkaloids from the seeds of Peganum harmala
showing antiplasmodial and vasorelaxant activities.
Journal of Natural Medicines 62(4):470-472.
Declarations
Khojimatov K, Iuldoshev K, Shogulomov U,
Khojimatov O. 1993. Shifobahsh giyohlar qand
hastaliga malham (in Uzbek). Tashkent, Semashko
Institution Press.
List of abbreviations: TASH – Herbarium of the
Institute of Botany Academy of Sciences,
Uzbekistan.
Ethnics approval and consent to participate: All
participants involved in the interview process gave
their prior informed oral consent.
Funding: Not applicable.
Availability of data and materials: The data was
not deposited in public repositories but is available
from the corresponding author upon request.
Authors' contributions: OK Khojimatov collected
and analyzed the data, drafted and developed the
manuscript. DT Khamraeva searched literature,
cooperated in data collection and adjusted the
manuscript to the journal submission guidelines. AN
Khujanov analyzed the data and structured the
tables. RW Bussmann critically revised the
manuscript. All authors contributed in the research
proposing the problem, data collection, and
approved the final manuscript.
Consent for publication: Not applicable.
Competing interests: The authors declare that they
have no competing interests.
Acknowledgements
This work is part of the research capacity building
"Compilation of an interactive atlas of promising
medicinal plants of Uzbekistan (resources,
monitoring and methods of protection of the most
vulnerable species)", which receives financial
support from Ministry of innovative Development of
the Republic of Uzbekistan, Grant number ПЗ –
20170920219.
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