Advancements in Ethnobotanical Sciences 2 1 2026 03 31 Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Medicinal Plants Used for Prostatitis in Chardavol County, Western Iran 38 45 10.34172/jaebs.2026.5 EN Hitesh Dalvadi https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4600-0447 Mostafa Mahmand https://orcid.org/0009-0004-3322-0859 Journal Article 10.34172/jaebs.2026.5 2026 01 09 2026 03 19 Background and Objective: Prostatitis is a common health concern among men, and medicinal plants have long been used in traditional medicine to alleviate symptoms and manage various prostatitis-related conditions. This study aimed to identify and document medicinal plants traditionally used for the prevention and management of prostatitis in Chardavol County, Ilam Province, western Iran. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Chardavol County, Ilam Province, western Iran. Ethnobotanical data were collected through face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with 30 local knowledgeable informants using purposive and snowball sampling. Information on plant identity, botanical family, plant parts used, preparation and administration methods, and reported traditional uses was recorded. Results: This ethnobotanical survey documented nine plant-use records across seven families traditionally used for prostatitis in Chardavol County. Asteraceae was the most represented family (33.3%, three records). Roots and leaves were the most commonly used plant parts, followed by fruits and aerial parts. Infusion and decoction were the main preparation methods, with infusion being the most frequently reported, used to treat various urinary and prostate-related complaints. Conclusions: The findings document locally transmitted knowledge concerning the traditional use of medicinal plants for prostatitis conditions in Chardavol County. The repeated use of certain species and the predominance of simple aqueous preparations provide useful leads for future ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological research. However, traditional reports should not be interpreted as evidence of clinical efficacy. Further phytochemical, pharmacological, toxicological, and well-designed clinical studies are required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these plants.