ETHNOBOTANICAL HERITAGE OF AZERBAIJANI AND CENTRAL ASIAN TURKIC PEOPLES: TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS AND THEIR USES

Аннотация

Ethnobotanical knowledge constitutes an important element of the historical and cultural heritage of many societies, reflecting the long-standing interaction between humans and the natural environment. Among Azerbaijani and Central Asian Turkic peoples, medicinal plants have occupied a significant place in traditional healthcare systems, daily life, and cultural practices for centuries. This knowledge has been transmitted across generations through oral traditions, folk medicine, and written medical sources, forming an essential component of the ethnocultural identity of these communities.

The present study examines selected medicinal plants traditionally used by Azerbaijani and Central Asian Turkic peoples, including Artemisia spp., Ferula spp., Peganum harmala, Hypericum perforatum, Crocus sativus, Nigella sativa, and Rosa damascena. Drawing upon ethnobotanical, historical, and comparative sources, the research analyzes their traditional uses, methods of preparation, cultural significance, and place within local medical traditions.

The findings demonstrate that these medicinal plants have played an important role not only in the treatment of various ailments, such as digestive disorders, inflammatory diseases, and skin conditions, but also in the preservation of traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices. Historical records and ethnographic evidence reveal substantial similarities in the use of medicinal plants among Turkic communities across the Caucasus and Central Asia, indicating the continuity of shared cultural traditions.

The study concludes that the ethnobotanical heritage of Azerbaijani and Central Asian Turkic peoples represents a valuable source for understanding historical healthcare practices, cultural interactions, and traditional environmental knowledge. Documenting and analyzing this heritage contribute both to the preservation of cultural memory and to contemporary research on medicinal plants and traditional medicine.