Kurdish ethnomedicine in the context of historic migration

Community displacement and cultural integration influence the use of plants for medicine. This study enhances our understanding of how communities adapt their medical practices in response to environmental changes.

We investigate how Kurds in SE Iran (Balochi Kurds), displaced between the 16th and 18th centuries from their homeland in NW Iran, retained and adapted their medicinal knowledge.

Fieldwork was conducted over 12 months across 8 Kurdish municipalities in NW Iran and 3 in SE Iran, using standard ethnobotanical methods. Totally 121 people were interviewed; data were analysed at the level of use reports (UR), classifying therapeutic uses according to ICPC. Comparisons between NW and SE Iran are based on plant genera available in both regions.

Medicinal knowledge is maintained by various practitioners, including herbalists, midwives, bonesetters, ritual healers, knowledgeable laypersons, and herb collectors/sellers in both regions. We documented 278 plant species (177 in NW Iran and 142 in SE Iran) and 4722 UR. SE Iran shows a greater variety of preparation methods, such as vaporization and suppositories. Gastrointestinal diseases are the most relevant, followed by musculoskeletal issues in SE Iran, and skin and respiratory diseases at both locations. Commonly used plants in NW Iran include Urtica dioica (75 UR) for female genitourinary infections and Quercus spp. (50 UR) for gastric ulcers. In SE Iran, Haplophyllum canaliculatum (83 UR) is widely used. Pistacia atlantica resin is widely used in both areas. The comparison reveals continuation of uses (e.g., Mentha longifolia), plant substitutions (e.g., Thymus vs. Zataria), new uses (e.g., Capparis spinosa), and the loss of certain plant uses (e.g., Eryngium, Euphorbia) among the Balochi Kurds.

The greater medicinal plant diversity in NW Iran reflects its richer biodiversity. In SE Iran, the higher diversity in preparation methods and therapeutic uses is likely due to its less developed healthcare system and more traditional lifestyle. The loss of their native language has not negatively impacted the traditional knowledge of the Balochi Kurds.