Ethnobotanical Review of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Hypertension in the Southern Provinces of Iran

Abstract

Hypertension is a prevalent chronic condition and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke, and renal disorders. While conventional pharmacological treatments are effective, they often come with side effects. Traditional medicine, especially the ethnobotanical use of medicinal plants, offers complementary strategies for hypertension management. This review aims to document medicinal plants traditionally used in the southern provinces of Iran for the treatment of high blood pressure. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including Google Scholar, SID, Magiran, PubMed, and Scopus. Keywords such as hypertension, medicinal plants, ethnobotany, and names of provinces (Sistan and Baluchestan, Bushehr, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Fars, and Kerman) were used. Studies were included based on ethnobotanical reports of plant use for hypertension in the specified regions. The ethnobotanical survey identified several medicinal plants traditionally used for managing hypertension. Notable species include Dorema aucheri, Ferula assafoetida L., Cichorium intybus L., Crataegus aronia (L.) Bosc ex DC., Amygdalus scoparia, Pistacia atlantica Desf., Achillea eriophora DC., Allium sativum L., Berberis integerrima, Silybum marianum L., Tragopogon aureus Boiss., Securigera securidaca Degen & Dorfl., Rumex pulcher L., and Olea ferruginea. The Asteraceae family was the most represented with seven species. Aerial parts were the most commonly used plant parts. This review highlights the rich ethnobotanical heritage of southern Iran in the use of medicinal plants for hypertension treatment. The dominance of the Asteraceae family and the use of aerial parts reflect common trends in traditional practices. These findings can support further pharmacological investigations and the development of plant-based antihypertensive therapies.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases, Hypertension, Medicinal plants, Ethnobotany, Persian medicine