Traditional, Therapeutic Uses and Phytochemistry of Terrestrial European Orchids and Implications for Conservation.
Name
plants-12-00257-v2.pdf
Description
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Size
1.18 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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Resource type
Journal article
Date published
January 5, 2023
Abstract
The Orchidaceae family accounts for about 28,000 species, and most of them are mentioned in the folk medicine of nations around the world. The use of terrestrial orchids in European and Mediterranean regions has been reported since ancient times, but little information is available on their medicinal properties, as well as on their phytochemicals and biological activities. However, plant collection for human use is still listed as one of the main threats for terrestrial orchids, alongside other menacing factors such as wrong habitat management and disturbance to symbionts, such as pollinators and mycorrhizal fungi. Therefore, the primary aim of this review was to resume and discuss available information regarding the past and current popular uses of European orchids. We then grouped phytochemical data to evaluate the presence of bioactive compounds of pharmacological relevance, and we discussed whether these could support the therapeutic employment of the different organs. Finally, we briefly debated the sustainability of orchid utilizations, considering the different threatening factors and conservation actions including plant propagation methods.
Journal title
Plants
Volume
12
Issue
2
Article number
257
Publisher
MDPI AG
Place of publication
Basel, Switzerland
eISSN
2223-7747
Date accepted
January 3, 2023
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Rights statement
In Copyright
Additional information
IF = 3.889 (2022-2023)