A Traditional Folk Medicine: Iksut

Our country with special geographical features have a very rich flora containing approximately eleven thousand plant species. Different plant species recognized with similar local names in a variety of regions, while same plant species called with different names. In our country which has very prosperous ethnological structure, although recognized in different regions, given names to same plant species in local brought those plants to a ‘Legend’ in that region. ‘IK?UT’ or ‘Küsküt’, which is a part of culture only in Mardin region, is the best example for that. In the same region specifically in treatment of liver diseases, infant and mothers’ physiological hepatitis applied this plant derived drug identified with region and also culture. Although the subject of scientific research of the origin of the drug, which are collected naturally and sold in akhtar and spice shops as a drug in the region to prepare medication, only dried, partially powder drug made the identification of the plant origin impossible. Excursions were made to Mardin city region to observe “?k?ut” plant in nature and to have information about the usage of the plant and drug. As a conclusion of scientific studies this legendary plant is determined as a parasitic plant ‘Küsüküt’ (Cuscuta sp.). Phytochemical and pharmacological studies on the plant, which grows in different regions of our country and recognized as a folk medicine in Mardin region, have been conducted by our research group.