Wild Allium species (Alliaceae) used in folk medicine of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
BACKGROUND
Hitherto available sources from literature mentioned several wild growing Allium species as "edible" or "medicinally used" but without any further specification.


METHODS
New data were gained during recent research missions: Allium plants were collected and shown to the local population which was asked for names and usage of these plants.


RESULTS
Information was collected about current medical applications of sixteen wild species, nine of which belong to different sections of Allium subgenus Melanocrommyum. These plants are used against headache, cold, and stomach problems, and are mostly applied fresh or after boiling.


CONCLUSIONS
Close taxonomic relatives of the common onion were used similar to cultivated onion species, but medical use like garlic was mostly reported for species taxonomically not related to garlic.
Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032, Marburg. keusgen@staff.uni-marburg.de
Michael
M
Keusgen
Reinhard M
RM
Fritsch
Hikmat
H
Hisoriev
Parvina A
PA
Kurbonova
Furkat O
FO
Khassanov
D000490:Allium; D005260:Female; D005737:Garlic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D019697:Onions; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013620:Tajikistan; D014610:Uzbekistan
D010936:Plant Extracts