Wild Allium species (Alliaceae) used in folk medicine of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan

Michael Keusgen¹ , Reinhard M Fritsch² , Hikmat Hisoriev³ , Parvina A Kurbonova³ and Furkat O Khassanov⁴

¹Philipps-Universität Marburg, Institut für Pharmazeutische Chemie, Marbacher Weg 6, D-35032, Marburg

²Institut für Pflanzengenetik und Kulturpflanzenforschung, Corrensstraße 3, D-06466, Gatersleben

³Botanical Institute of the Tajik Academy of Sciences, Karamov Street 27, 734017 Dushanbe, Republic of Tajikistan

⁴Scientific Centre of Plant Production "Botanika" of the Uzbek Academy of Sciences, F. Khodzhaev Street 32, 700143 Tashkent, Republic of Uzbekistan

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Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2006, 2:18doi:10.1186/1746-4269-2-18


Published:	3 April 2006

Abstract

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.

Conclusion

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.