Iranian Medicinal Plants: From Economically to Ethnomedicine Studies

Introduction: Iran is a privileged country with a high rank in plant biodiversity, including ۱۱ of the ۱۳ globally known climates. According to botanists and researchers, there are about ۸۰۰۰ medicinal plants species, which is at least twice the European continent's species diversity.Methods: Studies have shown that over ۲۳۰۰ plant species in the country have medicinal and aromatic properties and could be as spices andcosmetics. The high diversity of medicinal plants in Iran has made traders aim to export these products. The tariff code (HS Code) for medicinal plants in world customs is ۱۲۱۱۹۰. Iran was evaluated as the number one leading country in terms of medicinal plants export in ۱۹۹۸ and the fifth in ۲۰۰۳, and it came to ۳۲ in rankings due to some problems. In ۲۰۱۸, the share of Iran from medicinal plants trade was ۴۴۰ million dollars, while the total global transaction of medicinal plant import was about ۱۲۴ billion dollars. This outstanding amount of trade creates unique opportunities for the traders of these products.Conclusion: The highest export of Iran currently belongs to saffron; damask rose, licorice cumin, and cilantro, with ۸۰-۹۰% of the exports was in bulk and only ۱۰% as essential oils and extracts. The first destinations for medicinal plants export are Pakistan and UAE, followed by Germany, Japan, and China.

Keywords:

Biological activities , Coriander , Damask Rose , Exports , Licorice , Scientific Studies , ‎Saffron.‎