IntroductionSince ancient times, herbs have played an important role in the treatment of different diseases in many regions of world, largely for their expectorant, aphrodisiac, diuretic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, stomachic, and sedative properties (1). The World Health Organization reported that 70%-80% of the global population relies on herbs for primary health care. In addition, because they are natural products, it is generally believed that herbs are essentially safe and free from side effects. Consequently, the consumption of nonprescription herbs has steadily increased over the past few decades (2).Despite the therapeutic advantages of herbs, reports have indicated the potential toxicity of some herbal components. Herbs contain a variety of chemical substances that act upon the body. In addition, the quality of herbs can be affected by toxic contaminants originating from industry, agriculture, and private households, including toxins that can cause mutagenic and carcinogenic effects from long-term and widespread use (3-6). Moreover, herbal medicines are generally a mixture of a number of herbs in a single preparation and contain several active ingredients that induce various pharmacological effects (7,8). To date, there are few scientific studies on the safety and potential toxicity of herbs, despite growing concerns over the lack of both scientific evidence and quality control data regarding the safety and efficacy of herbs (9,10).Sexual dysfunction is a condition that affects 15-30 million men worldwide, and it occurs in 10%-52% of men and 25%-63% of women (11,12). Many believe that sexual dysfunction is associated with the modern lifestyle. As a result, individuals turn to natural products, such as traditional herbs, that produce aphrodisiac effects for sexual enhancement. Aphrodisiac herbs are used to treat sexual dysfunction because they alter specific neurotransmitters or sex hormones. Specifically, herbs with aphrodisiac properties can induce vasodilatation that results in a sustained erection, and can cause irritation of genital mucosa that enhances sensory experience during coitus (13).Background/aim: Sexual dysfunction is a serious problem worldwide. In Turkey, herbal products are used by some people suffering from sexual dysfunction. Despite their therapeutic advantages, some constituents of herbs are potentially toxic and pose health risks because they can be bought from the market without a prescription. Therefore, we aimed to determine the safety of herbs possessing aphrodisiac effects, chosen on the basis of their frequency of medicinal use and commercial importance in Turkey. Materials and methods:Ten herbs (Anethum graveolens, Carthamus tinctorius, Citrus aurantium, Cocos nucifera, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Melissa officinalis, Nigella arvensis, Pinus pinea, Prunus mahaleb, and Zingiber officinale) were extracted with water, methanol, and chloroform. The cyto-and genotoxic potentials of the extracts were assessed using an MTT test on a rat kidney cell line and an Ames assay in Salmonella typhi...

This ethnobotanical study was planned to carried out in villages of Savaştepe district (Balıkesir, Turkey) between May 2012 to October 2015. The settlements (44 villages) in Savaştepe were visited during the field work. With this study, we aimed to document traditional uses of edible plants in Savaştepe (Balıkesir). Interviews were made with the local people. A total of 205 individuals (107 men, 98 women) interviewed in the area. The plant samples were collected in company with local people. The collected specimens were identified and were deposited as herbarium samples at ISTE (The Herbarium of the Faculty of Pharmacy of Istanbul University). Among these collected plants 71 taxa belonging to 27 families are edible plants. The plants were mostly used as food (55 taxa), spice (14 taxa), beverage (3 taxa) and honey paste (2 taxa). Mostly used parts of plants were leaf (27 taxa), aerial part (20 taxa), fruit (19 taxa) and seed (5 taxa).

Centaurea malatyensis Ş. Kültür & M. Bona sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described as new to science from East Anatolia (B6: Malatya: Turkey). It is morphologically similar to C. leptophylla but differs mainly in its stem, basal and cauline leaf shape and size, achene, pappus and phyllary appendages. The geographical distribution of the new species and its relatives is mapped. The ecology and conservation status of the new species is also presented. Micromorphological structures of achenes of C. malatyensis and C. leptophylla are examined by SEM.

INTRODUCTIONEthnobotanical researches give information about relationships between public and plants which have important role in humans daily life. There is a rich ethnobotanical research collection in Turkey. Every ethnobotanical study in Turkey contains valuable information that records the cultural heritage, natural richness, traditions and customs of a different area, the life of the people. The value of the work done in the ethnobotanical field has increased more with the migration of rural populations to cities. The local people who have moved away from nature have also begun to forget the use of plants in everyday life. Therefore, listening to the valuable information of the elderly knowledgeable people living in the villages and recording the all information about used plants is also important in terms of protecting the very important values of our country. The local names of the plants are the part of our cultural heritage. The local names of the plants may differ in every settlements according to the various factors such as different uses of the same plants in every settlements and the traditions of the people living in settlements, the language used in the area and the geographic features of the area. This ethnobotanical study was planned to be carried out in villages of Savaştepe and Kepsut districts of Balıkesir (Özdemir Nath 2016). Kepsut and Savaştepe are the towns of Balıkesir province in the Marmara region of Turkey (Figure 1). Kepsut is in the eastern part of Balıkesir. It has an area of 894 km². The population is 24.180. Kepsut has 63 villages. As an individual Turkish ethnic group the Yoruks are distinguished by their language, customs and folkloric particularities and considering the contemporary way of life, their rather closed social community. Due to the different accent in local languages, the names of plants were different in yoruks villages. Karakeçili Yoruk communities live in 17 villages, Yağcıbedir Yoruk communities live in 9 villages. Savaştepe district has an area of 430 km². Its plant diversity is very rich because of its location where meeting point of 2 phytogeographic regions (Mediterranean, Euro-Siberian Istanbul J Pharm 47 (1): 12-23 DOI: 10.5152/IstanbulJPharm.2017.004 ABSTRACT Local plant names vary in Anatolia in every settlement. Ethnobotanical studies help to record local names of the used plants that may otherwise be lost to future generations. This study is the part of an ethnobotanical study which was conducted between 2012 and 2015 in order to determine wild plants used in Kepsut and Savaştepe (Balıkesir, Turkey). Kepsut and Savaştepe are the towns of Balıkesir province in the Marmara region of Turkey. As a result of the identification, the 509 local names of the 265 taxa, which are 12 of them are endemic, belonging to 72 families were recorded. According to the literature, among 509 local names, 338 local names were recorded for the first time in Balıkesir. 12 MATERIALS AND METHODSThis study was conducted between 2012 and 2015. The research area is a part of ...

Objective: This research planned to record traditional uses and preparations of herbal medicines in Savaştepe, Balıkesir. The study was conducted between the years 2012-2016. The Savaştepe district is located on the borders of Balıkesir province. Methods: 44 villages connected to Savaştepe were visited during the research. With the help of the local people, the collected plants were diagnosed and converted into herbarium specimens. All herbarium samples are stored in the Herbarium of Istanbul University Faculty of Pharmacy (ISTE). Information about the use of plants were collected by the help of interviews with 205 people (107 men, 98 women). Results: As a result of this study, there were 163 medicinal plant taxa belonging to 53 families. Mostly used medicinal plant species families are Lamiaceae (22 taxa), Asteraceae (20 taxa), Rosaceae (16 taxa), Fabaceae (6 taxa), Brassicaceae (7 taxa), Apiaceae (4 taxa), Poaceae (4 taxa), Scrophulariaceae (4 taxa) respectively. According to the informations, the most common diseases were categozied into 12 group and their FIC values are calculated. The highest FIC value (0.852) for hemorrhoids. Having high use value represents that this taxa is commonly used in Savaştepe. The highest use value is 0.93 for Urtica dioica Conclusion: This study documented the medicinal plants used by local people of Savaştepe and also the uses, preparations and vernacular names of medicinal plant species. This study will help to concerve valuable informations of the medicinal plants of Savaştepe.