Medicinal plants used to treat infectious and non-infectious diseases of skin and skin appendages in city of Urmia, northwest Iran

Human has been always seeking for beauty of skin and face and the best possible treatments for skin diseases.
Indeed, use of medicinal plants is an important approach to treat skin diseases. The present study was conducted to
identify effective medicinal plants on skin diseases in Urmia, a city of northwest Iran. This study was done through
questionnaire-assisted interview with local people from September, 2014 to January, 2015. First, a complete list of
groceries across Urmia was obtained. Then common and effective properties for treatment of skin diseases were
generated. The questionnaires consisted of items regarding the grocers’ demographic data and an empty list of
native plants and/or items on used parts, the methods of use, and traditional therapeutic effects. After data analysis,
22 plants from 17 families, used for skin healthcare, were generated. Asteraceae and Scrophulariaceae families had
most effective plants on skin diseases in Urmia. The plants were mostly used as boiled (56%). Leaves (22%) were
mostly used part to treat skin diseases in Urmia. The plants presented in the present study contained bioactive
substances and further studies are needed to investigate the efficacy and potential toxic effects of the medicinal
plants of use because of the significance of these plants, and a step could be taken to develop natural and effective
drugs for skin healthcare.