Ethnobotanical and ethnoecological study of the most important edible, medicinal and industrial species in the grasslands of Khalil Abad region, Zarrin Dasht, Fars province, Iran

It is vital to record and preserve indigenous knowledge on plants to prevent loss of this valuable information. The indigenous knowledge about herbal drugs can provide us with useful information, such as their phytotherapeutic activities for the treatment of various diseases. This study investigated the indigenous knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of human diseases and disorders in Khalil Abad region, Zarrin Dasht County, Fars province (Iran) from January to May 2017. Questionnaires were distributed among the subjects and traditional herbal information were recorded. The medicinal plants in this region are predominantly bush, including Zataria multiflora Boiss, Peganum harmala L., Alhagi persarum Boiss. & Buhse and Astragalus sp. The results of this study indicate that the residents of Khalil Abad village use various medicinal plants for nutritional and medicinal purposes. This is the first report of the ethnobotany of the region and the medicinal plants of indigenous knowledge of this region could be used as a source for new drugs.