Traditional Respiratory Remedies From Anatolia: Ethnobotanical Insights and Bioactive Properties.
Zare G, Diker Y, Tatlı Çankaya I, Habibi E, Sarker SD, Nahar L.
Ethnobotany
Elderberry, chamomile, plantain, and nettles growing in your garden or hedgerow have been quietly treating coughs and chest infections across Anatolia for centuries—and this research maps exactly why they work at a cellular level.
Researchers combed through over a century of records on how people in Turkey and surrounding regions use plants to treat breathing problems. They found that plants rich in essential oils and dark pigments (like elderberry and chamomile) tend to fight off acute infections, while mucilage-rich plants like plantain and mallow soothe long-term inflammation. The study connects these traditional uses to real biological mechanisms, giving herbal traditions a credible scientific backbone.
Key Findings
A meta-analysis of 187 ethnobotanical studies (110 meeting strict criteria) identified 508 plant taxa used for respiratory conditions in Anatolia, spanning families like Rosaceae, Lamiaceae, and Asteraceae.
Essential oil- and anthocyanin-rich plants (e.g., elderberry, chamomile) are linked to acute respiratory infections via antimicrobial action and immune cell modulation, while mucilage- and iridoid-rich plants (e.g., plantain, mallow) address chronic conditions by suppressing inflammatory pathways (NF-κB and COX-2).
Key species identified include quince (Cydonia oblonga), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), juniper (Juniperus oxycedrus), elderberry (Sambucus nigra), nettle (Urtica dioica), and plantain (Plantago spp.), all with documented mechanistic support.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A large review of 187 studies found that plants used in traditional Turkish folk medicine for respiratory problems—like licorice, elderberry, and chamomile—work through specific biological pathways, offering a science-backed foundation for developing new plant-based treatments for conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and COPD.
Abstract Preview
Respiratory disorders, ranging from acute viral infections such as influenza and bronchitis to chronic inflammatory conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, emphysema, an...
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Urban Tree Canopy Reduces Heat-Related Mortality by 39% in European Cities
Trees in your local park or street aren't just pretty — they are literally keeping people alive during heatwaves, and planting even a modest number of the ri...
The quince is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the Malinae subtribe of the Rosaceae family. It is a deciduous tree that bears hard, aromatic bright golden-yellow pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear. Ripe quince fruits are hard, tart, and astringent. They are eaten raw or processed ...