Ethnobotany explores interactions between humans and plants to document both traditional and current plant knowledge. In recent decades, there has been a resurgence of interest in plants among patients, researchers, industry, and trade, and ethnobotanical studies have been developed worldwide. In recent years, the use of medicinal plants has had a significant increase in Iran, particularly in pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine. Several intensive and effective ethnobotanical investigations have been carried out in Iran, primarily in the Zagros Mountains in the west, and in the Alborz Mountains in the north of the country. Unfortunately, the Khorassan Provinces in northeastern and eastern Iran have not been well investigated. However, the distinctive socioeconomic and environmental background as well as isolated mountainous areas with various endemic species, make them fascinating to be examined from an ethnobotanical standpoint. The North Khorassan and Razavi Khorassan Provinces, in the northeastern Iran, belong to the Khorassan-Kopet Dagh floristic province of the Irano-Turanian region which is located in one of the 35 biodiversity hotspots of the world. Nonetheless, the South Khorassan Province with isolated mountains in eastern Iran is a transitional zone between the Central Iranian and Afghanistan mountains. The flora, biogeography, and plant endemism of Khorassan are well-documented mainly based on the data from the herbarium FUMH. This area is also very diverse in terms of climate, ethnicity, and culture. About 17 ethnobotanical studies have been completed in Khorassan provinces based on our research and literature review. The ethnomedical practices have identified 558 plant species belonging to 348 genera, with Apiaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae being the most commonly used. In comparison to the other two provinces, the North Khorassan province has received more attention. Despite the fact that various ethnobotanical investigations are currently underway in Khorassan, there is a large number of unexplored locations for ethnobotanical studies.

Keywords