Ethnobotanical Insights into Medicinal Plants Used by the Inhabitants of Ilam City for Managing Musculoskeletal Pain, Western Iran

Abstract

The use of traditional medicine and herbal remedies is deeply rooted in Iran, a country endowed with extensive biodiversity and a large variety of medicinal plant species. The present study aimed to document ethnobotanical knowledge related to medicinal plants traditionally employed for managing musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in Ilam, a city located in western Iran. A mixed-methods design incorporating both qualitative and quantitative components was adopted. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews conducted with local herbalists and traditional healers. Plant species were identified using reputable sources, including online botanical databases, Dr. Valiollah Mozaffarian`s flora of Ilam, and expert support from the Medicinal Plants Center at Ilam University of Medical Sciences. In total, 30 medicinal plant species belonging to 23 families were recorded as remedies commonly used for MSP among the inhabitants of Ilam. The most frequently cited species included Achillea biebersteinii, Thymbra spicata L., Nigella sativa, Crocus haussknechtii, Datura innoxia Miller, Nerium oleander L., Ricinus communis, and Melissa officinalis. These taxa exhibited the highest levels of traditional relevance, with a usage report (UR) of 5, a relative frequency of citation (RFC) of 0.20, and a percentage familiarity and use (PFU) of 57.6%. Overall, the findings emphasize the significant role of native medicinal flora of Ilam in the traditional management of MSP. Beyond safeguarding valuable ethnobotanical heritage, these results also highlight promising prospects for developing novel phytotherapeutic agents. Further phytochemical and pharmacological investigations will be essential to validate the therapeutic efficacy of these plants and support their potential incorporation into contemporary medical practice