Antiparasitic herbs used in west regions of Ilam province located in west of Iran

ObjectiveTo identify antiparasitic medicinal plants used by people in southern regions of Ilam province in Iran.MethodsThis study was carried out using questionnaire and interview method between February 2012 and April 2013 and also by means of public resources. Along with distributing questionnaires herbarium specimens of each plant were collected and then their genus and species were determined in the Natural Resources Research Center of Ilam province.ResultsA total of 19 medicinal plants used as antiparasitic plants belonged to 14 families were identified in southern regions of Ilam province. Majority of antiparasite herbs were related to Compositeae (11%), Rosaceae (11%), Solanaceae (11%), Liliaceae (11%), and Asteraceae (11%) families. Aerial parts with 28% were the most plant organs used for the treatment of parasitic diseases. Results of this study showed that infusion with 83% is the most popular form of herbal medications in southern regions of Ilam province.ConclusionsThe report of medicinal plants belonged to northern regions of this province may provide necessary condition for researchers to identify effective substances and to study the clinical effects claimed for these plants and their effective substances on different parasitic diseases while traditional effects of these plants are documented.