Ethnobotanical Potential of Ferfula assa-Foetida as a main Medical Plant in East of Iran

Ferula assa-Foetida L. (Apiaceae) is a medicinal plant indigenous to Iran and Afghanistan. This plant is one of the most important among the thirty species of Ferula distributed in Iran. Iran is one of the most important producers of this plant in the world. It is an herbaceous and perennial plant that grows up to 2 m high. One part used is an oleo-gum resin, called asa-foetida or Anghoze in Persian, obtained by incision from the roots. Many people in Mediterranean region who consult with spiritual healers, homeopaths and herbalists are utilizing traditional therapies. The demand for medicinal plants has increased globally due to the resurgence of interest in and acceptance of herbal medicine. The methods of extraction employed are almost invariably crude and unsystematic. As a consequence, the rates of exploitation may exceed those of local natural regeneration. Ferula is one of the most important endangered medicinal plants, which is rare in nature due to poor seed germination. It has been reported in Iranian folk medicine to be antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, laxative, sedative, nerving, analgesic, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and antiseptic. In this article qualitative and participatory study on harvesting, main characteristics and economical importance of this valuable medicinal plantin South-Khorasan province, east of Iran has been described