Ferula assa-foetida and its Traditional Knowledge and Economic Importance in the Rural Areas of South East of Iran

Traditional knowledge is employed to mean knowledge, innovations, practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional life-styles; the wisdom developed over many generations of holistic traditional scientific utilization of the lands, natural resources, and environment. Traditional knowledge is valid and necessary, and awaits its currently relevant wider application for human benefit. Many people in Mediterranean region who consult with spiritual healers, homeopaths and herbalists are utilizing traditional therapies. These are the first choice for problems such as liver diseases, inflammation, skin diseases, infertility, impotence, diabetes, obesity, epilepsy, psychosomatic troubles, and many other diseases. Ferula assa-foetida L. (Apiaceae) is one of the most important among the thirty species of Ferula distributed in Iran. One part used is an oleo-gum resin, called asa-foetida or Anghoze in Persian, obtained by incision from the roots. Ferula is one of the most important endangered medicinal plants, which is rare in nature due to poor seed germination. In this article introduce his field, qualitative and participatory study on main characteristics, harvesting and economical importance of this valuable medicinal plant in South-Khorasan province, south east of Iran as a major producer and exporter.