Identification of Effective Medicinal Plants for Hyperlipidemia: An Ethnobotanical Study in Lorestan Province, West of Iran

In the recent decades, hyperlipidemia has considerably increased with the development of
machine life. It has been accompanied by diseases such as hypothyroidism, liver and kidney
diseases, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, as well as obesity and can cause complications such as
atherosclerosis, hypertension, increased risk of stroke, and fatty liver disease. Lorestan province in
the west of Iran has an ancient history in traditional medicine and abundance of medicinal plants.
So, this study aimed to identify effective medicinal plants for hyperlipidemia in this province and
report its effects on the treatment of hyperlipidemia and the related diseases. This study was
conducted during 2008-2010 by 11 trained health volunteers with the cooperation of Food and
Drug Chancellor, Razi Herbal Medicine Research Center, and Health and Treatment Networks of
Khorramabad, Dorud, Poldokhtar, Boroujerd, Aleshtar, Aligoodarz, Kouhdasht, and Noorabad.
Questionnaire method was used, and a specific questionnaire was designed to gather information
on traditional herbal therapy, which has been used to reduce hyperlipidemia in this province. The
results of the questionnaire analysis indicated that in lorestan province, nine species of medicinal
plants from eight plant families were used for treating hyperlipidemia. Leaves were mostly used
plant part (42%) and predominantly used herbal preparations were raw plants (46%). Summer
with 38% of frequency was the most reported season for collecting medicinal plants effective for
hyperlipidemia in this province. Cichorium intybus was the most frequently used medicinal plant
(73.33%). Novel scientific studies support the ethnomedicinal use of some of the mentioned
plants in the lorestan province of Iran for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, further
clinical investigations are needed to confirm their efficacy and safety.