Hidden Ethnomedicinal Diversity in a Fine-Scale Study from Konak, Eastern Anatolia.

This study documents the ethnomedicinal knowledge of Konak (Malatya, Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye), a region with rich plant diversity but no prior comprehensive research. The aim of the study is to systematically document and analyze the ethnomedicinal practices of Konak village, focusing on plant taxa (species, subspecies and varieties) used, preparation methods, and therapeutic applications. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 68 local informants. Quantitative analysis was performed using Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) and Use Value (UV) indices. Plant specimens were collected, identified, and deposited in the herbarium. The study documented 86 plant taxa from 35 families used in 230 therapeutic applications. Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Rosaceae were the most represented families. High FIC values were recorded for colds (FIC = 0.95), stomach pain (FIC = 0.92), and inflammation (FIC = 0.90), indicating strong community consensus. The most frequently cited species were Origanum vulgare subsp. gracile, Mentha spp., and Rosa canina. There are novel or locally specific uses, with 13 taxa having no previously recorded ethnomedicinal applications in the reviewed literature. The findings reveal Konak as a significant repository of ethnomedicinal knowledge. High-FIC taxa represent prime candidates for phytochemical and pharmacological research to validate traditional uses and support evidence-based phytotherapy. This study enriches regional ethnopharmacological data and highlights candidate taxa for pharmacological validation.