Ethnobotanical Characteristics and Identification of Volatile Components of Endemic Sideritis spp. Taxa in the Alanya Region

Abstract

Between 2024 and 2026, a 25-question survey was conducted to assess the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the local population in the Alanya region, as well as their purposes for consuming non-wood forest plant products, consumption timing, frequency, procurement methods, perceived benefits and side effects of the consumed products, and the factors influencing consumption habits. Three endemic species Sideritis arguta Boiss & Heldr, Sideritis argyrea P.H. Davis, and Sideritis albiflora Hub. Mor were included in the evaluation. Ethnobotanical analysis revealed that these species are most consumed for general health, therapeutic, and recreational purposes. For the first time in Turkey, this study highlighted the importance of informing the public about the benefits of these three species and emphasized that harvesting should be carried out consciously after seed maturation to prevent the depletion of these taxa. Solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) analysis indicated that the highest volatile compound concentrations in Sideritis arguta Boiss & Heldr were α-pinene (25.7%), germacrene-D (8.4%), and trans-caryophyllene (6.4%). In Sideritis argyrea P.H. Davis, the main compounds were α-pinene (11.8%), germacrene-D (9.2%), and β-myrcene (4.5%), whereas in Sideritis albiflora Hub. Mor, the primary compounds were α-pinene (12.9%), germacrene-D (7.8%), and 1,8-cineole (5.6%). Analysis of volatile compound classes revealed a high proportion of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons across species.