Leishmaniosis phytotherapy: Review of plants used in Iranian traditional medicine on leishmaniasis

Many native plants in traditional medicine have been used for the treatment of cutaneous
leishmaniasis and the recent clinical trials have proven the efficacy of some of them.
Researches conducted on these plants have shown that garlic, shallots, wormwood,
yarrow, walnuts, thyme, henna plant, mimosa, aloe, wood betony, medlar, periwinkle,
yeah, savory, black beans, etc. are effective on cutaneous leishmania. Synthetic agents in
Iranian market have some disadvantages such as high cost and side effects and are painful
in injections. Given the effectiveness of these plants, they can be a source of natural and
safe compounds for the treatment of Leishmania. Therefore, more clinical researches
should be done to determine the effectiveness and safety of these medicinal plants, their
active ingredients and their possible toxic substances which can lead to the production of
effective and safe drugs for leishmaniasis. It also might be an effective way to prepare
herbal ointment on wound healing.