LOCAL NAMES OF MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS TRADITIONALLY USED IN KUTAHYA-GEDIZ REGION

This study investigated the ethnobotanical characteristics and local names of some plants detected around Kütahya center and Gediz district between 2024-2025. The information on the use of these plants has been determined according to interviews with the local people and herbalists. The local names and usage areas of the 30 plants in the research area were determined. It is concluded that 20 of these plant types is used in medical field, 3 types is used as food and 7 types were used for other (fuel, an, mal feed etc.) fields. In almost every region of Turkey, knowledge about especially edible herbs has been passed down from mother to daughter for generations. Knowledge about plants that are used for medicine, dye, broom, and plants that are collected as fuel and stored for the winter is more specific to women. Those who know and collect tuberous plants, mushrooms, and various fruits are boys and adult men, especially shepherds. Forage plants and plants that have the potential to poison animals are knowledge that shepherds and villagers who do animal husbandry have passed down from generation to generation for centuries. As a result, medicinal plants, which are frequently used by the public in the treatment of various diseases and whose positive effects cannot be ignored, should be consumed consciously. It is important to use plant species that are reliably supplied with known analyzed content in alternative treatments of diseases so that public health is not negatively affected.