Traditional Uses and Biological Activities of Verbascum Species
İ. İrem TATLI*^,°, Zeliha Ş. AKDEMİR**
* Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Sıhhiye, Ankara, 06100, TURKEY
** Hacettepe University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Sıhhiye, Ankara, 06100, TURKEY

^oCorresponding Author

Summary

The extracts, decoctions and infusions of Verbascum, commonly known as “mullein”, have been used in traditional medicines for centuries in almost all parts of the world. In this paper, the usage (as expectorant, mucolytic, demulcent, diuretic, to treat respiratory disorders, hemorrhoids, rheumatic pain, inflammatory skin conditions, wounds, fungal infections and diarrhea) and biological (antiviral, antimicrobial, antimalarial, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, antitumor, anticancer, cytotoxic, immunomodulatory, antiulcerogenic, antihepatotoxic, antihyperlipidemic, antitussive and antigermination) activities of Verbascum species are reviewed.

Key Words :
Verbascum species, Scrophulariaceae, biological activity, traditional medicine.