Pharmacognostic Profile and Ethnopharmacological Significance of Selected Medicinal Plants Distributed on Mount Khvamli

Abstract

Introduction: Mount Khvamli is one of the important limestone massifs of Western Georgia, whose flora is of particular interest for pharmacognostic and ethnopharmacological research on medicinal plants. Regional floristic data describe numerous plant species, some of which are recognized in international herbal and pharmacognostic monographs as species of medicinal value. The aim of this study is to link floristic data on the medicinal plants of Mount Khvamli with pharmacognostic and ethnopharmacological analysis. Methodology: This work represents a source-based review study. For the assessment, only those plant species were selected that, on the one hand, are recorded in the flora of Mount Khvamli and, on the other hand, are described in international pharmacognostic or herbal monographic sources. Based on these criteria, four species were included in the study: Achillea millefolium L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Hypericum perforatum L., and Inula helenium L. Each plant was evaluated according to the medicinally used part, main active compounds, pharmacological effects, traditional use, and safety considerations. Results: The analysis showed that the selected plants have distinct pharmacognostic profiles. Achillea millefolium is associated with effects related to the digestive system, spasmolytic activity, and anti-inflammatory action. Fraxinus excelsior is of interest due to the flavonoid, tannin, and coumarin composition of its leaves and bark. Hypericum perforatum is characterized by neuropharmacological activity, but requires particular caution because of photosensitization and clinically significant drug interactions. Inula helenium appears promising for further research in respiratory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant directions. Conclusion: Linking the floristic data of Mount Khvamli with international pharmacognostic sources enables a more targeted and academically substantiated evaluation of specific medicinal plants. However, the presence of a plant species in the local flora does not, by itself, confirm its therapeutic efficacy. Further botanical verification of local populations, phytochemical investigation, laboratory assessment of bioactivity, and detailed safety analysis are required.