Herbal Medicines Journal
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Identification of Medicinal Plants Used to Enhance Appetite and Increase Weight in Aligudarz, Lorestan Province: An Ethnobotanical Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Masoomeh Abdi 1
Kioumars Karamizadeh 2
Iraj Salimi Kia 3
Elahe Sarlak 1

1 Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Aligudarz School of Nursing, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

2 Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

3 Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

10.22087/hmj.v7i4.1054
Abstract
Background and Aim: Anorexia is a disorder that can be annoying for patients in prolonged cases. It can lead to health-threatening problems. Today, different methods are used to increase appetite and weight. One of these methods is the use of medicinal plants. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the medicinal plants used to increase appetite and weight in Aligoudarz, Lorestan, Iran. Materials and Methods: The present study is descriptive research. Sampling was carried out using the complete enumeration method, and 20 medicinal plant sellers took part in this study. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire containing demographic characteristics form and characteristics of the medicinal plants used in the study. Results: The results of the study indicated that 17 medicinal plants belonging to 11 plant families could strengthen appetite and increase weight. The most abundant plant recommended by the medicinal plant sellers was alfalfa (25.71%), followed by wheat (14.28%). In terms of the plant family, the most used plants were related to the Poaceae family (18%), followed by Asteraceae (17%) and Apiaceae (17%). Conclusion: Iran is a rich country in the field of medicinal plants, it is recommended to identify plants related to appetite enhancement and weight gain through review studies and then conduct laboratory studies to confirm their effect so that consumers can use these plants with more scientific support. 

Keywords

Plants
Medicinal
Anorexia
Thinness
Ethnobotany
Herbal Medicines Journal
Volume 8, Issue 1
Spring 2023
Pages 17-25

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