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Abstract
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Ethnopharmacological relevance: The aim of this study was to collect and document information concerning
the medicinal plants used by indigenous people and traditional healers in the south of Kerman Province, Iran.
Materials and methods: Overall, 64 informants between the ages of 30 and 89 were interviewed about the
modes of application and consumption of medicinal plants in the region. Quantitative analysis was conducted
that included informant consensus factor (ICF), use value (UV), relative frequency of citation (RFC) and cultural
importance index (CI).
Results and discussion: In the current study, a total of 115 medicinal plants in 41 families were reported in the
south of the Kerman region. Apiaceae, Asteraceae and Lamiaceae (with 14 species each) were the families with
the most medicinal plants. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves at 26.17% and aerial parts
(23.49%). Decoction (53%), liniment (23%) and infusion (9%) were the most common preparation methods.
The highest UVs were obtained from the following medicinal plants: Amygdalus eburnea Spach, Genista
tinctoria L., Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand., Fortuynia garcinii (Burm.f.) Shuttlew. and Cerasus mahaleb
(L.) Mill. The ICF results indicated that cold-flu and fever were the most common diseases (0.67) in the south of
Kerman.
Conclusion: Based on the current study, the south of Kerman has many potential medicinal plants, and these
plants should be the focus of future research.
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