Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants

Derya Doğanay; Büşra Kulaksız Pişkin; Müzeyyen Aydın; Begüm Kaplan

Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants

Abstract

Although COVID-19 disease has lost its former severity in the period from its emergence in 2019 until today, it still maintains its importance. In this study, it is aimed to determine the plants preferred before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the microbiological quality of these plants. The information form prepared by ourselves was applied to the local herbalists and market employees in Istanbul in order to determine the plants used in the period and before, and to measure their knowledge about the transportation and storage conditions of the plants. It has been determined that the plants whose use has increased compared to before the pandemic process are turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), ginger (Zingiber officinale L.), galangal (Alpinia galanga (L.) Sw.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) and olive (Olea europaea L.) leaves, and they are mostly consumed in the form of tea. Plants were obtained from randomly selected herbalists and markets in open and closed forms, and herb and tea forms were subjected to microbiological analysis using the spread plate method. According to the results of the study, it is important that pathogenic bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Yersinia spp. were not detected in the herbs and teas. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the microbial load of the herb and tea forms of the closed samples taken from the markets was higher than that of the open samples taken from the herbalists, and that the microbial load was largely controlled after the brewing process (infusion-decoction). In addition, the importance of maintaining the water temperature in the brewing methods of teas has been demonstrated.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Derya Doğanay
0000-0001-9147-4110
Türkiye

Büşra Kulaksız Pişkin
0000-0002-7593-7004
Türkiye

Müzeyyen Aydın ^*
Türkiye

Begüm Kaplan This is me
0009-0006-0086-832X
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 28, 2025

Submission Date

April 14, 2023

Acceptance Date

July 13, 2023

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 28 Number: 1

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Doğanay, D., Kulaksız Pişkin, B., Aydın, M., & Kaplan, B. (2025). Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 28(1), 142-154. https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG

AMA

1.Doğanay D, Kulaksız Pişkin B, Aydın M, Kaplan B. Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;28(1):142-154. https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG

Chicago

Doğanay, Derya, Büşra Kulaksız Pişkin, Müzeyyen Aydın, and Begüm Kaplan. 2025. “Preferred Medicinal Plants During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Microbiological Quality of Herbal Teas Obtained from These Plants”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28 (1): 142-54. https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG.

EndNote

Doğanay D, Kulaksız Pişkin B, Aydın M, Kaplan B (June 1, 2025) Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28 1 142–154.

IEEE

[1]D. Doğanay, B. Kulaksız Pişkin, M. Aydın, and B. Kaplan, “Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 142–154, June 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG

ISNAD

Doğanay, Derya - Kulaksız Pişkin, Büşra - Aydın, Müzeyyen - Kaplan, Begüm. “Preferred Medicinal Plants During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Microbiological Quality of Herbal Teas Obtained from These Plants”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28/1 (June 1, 2025): 142-154. https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG.

JAMA

1.Doğanay D, Kulaksız Pişkin B, Aydın M, Kaplan B. Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;28:142–154.

MLA

Doğanay, Derya, et al. “Preferred Medicinal Plants During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: Microbiological Quality of Herbal Teas Obtained from These Plants”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 28, no. 1, June 2025, pp. 142-54, https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG.

Vancouver

1.Derya Doğanay, Büşra Kulaksız Pişkin, Müzeyyen Aydın, Begüm Kaplan. Preferred medicinal plants during the COVID-19 pandemic period: Microbiological quality of herbal teas obtained from these plants. J. Res. Pharm. [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 1;28(1):142-54. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA78DS67CG