An Ethno Botanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used for Respiratory Tract Disorders in Northern Parts of Palestine

Abstract Background: There are many medicinal applications of natural plant remedies. Several illnesses are still being treated by Palestinian people using medicinal plants. This research was intended to study the use of natural plants to treat different types of Respiratory tract disorders. Method: In the Northern part of Palestine, an ethno-pharmacological study of medicinal plants used to treat respiratory diseases has been carried out. A questionnaire was circulated to 120 informants. The details gathered included the names of the plants, the parts used, the diseases for which the products were used, as well as the method of preparation. To evaluate results: percentages (%), Fic (factor of informant consensus) and FL (fidelity-level) was calculated. Results: A total of 120 participants were included in the final analysis. The highest percentage of herbal use was reported for flu (103 participants) followed by cough, while the lowest percentages of users were in bronchitis management. The study showed that 31 plant species of 19 families were used for respiratory disorders. 6 species are from Lamiaceae family, while 3 species from Apiaceae family, two species are from Amaryllidaceae, Fabaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae , while the rest of the families only one species was mentioned by the participants, The pieces used most commonly were leaves and fruits. Decoction was the technique of preparation and was taken as a hot drink.Chamomile, mint, sage , lemon and ginger all were in treatment of all of the five respiratory diseases.Conclusions: The information provided on medicinal plants, with maximum percents & FL values can serve as basic data for further research to identify the active biological ingredients in these plants., and to develop new drug preparations for the treatment of disorders of the resapiratory system.