Integrating traditional knowledge with phylogenetics to identify Mediterranean Lamiaceae with high medicinal and food potential

The Mediterranean region is a global biodiversity hotspot where the Lamiaceae family substantially contributes to the floristic diversity. As a representative example of the food-medicine continuum, these species are valued for their phytochemical wealth, distinctive flavor, and traditional uses. Here, we link traditional knowledge with a phylogenetic framework to guide bioprospecting, aiming to identify underutilized lineages as new sources for therapeutics, alternative nutrition, and functional foods. Using a set of imputed species-level phylogenies of Mediterranean Lamiaceae, we combined topology-based hot node analysis and distance-based jackknifing partition of phylogenetic divergence to identify phylogenetic clusters enriched in medicinal and food uses across 16 categories. Ethnobotanical utility is significantly clustered within the subfamily Nepetoideae, a lineage broadly characterized by the production of essential oils rich in monoterpenes. Our analysis revealed high congruence between food and medicinal categories across this clade, highlighting their functional diet potential. In the regional context of Mediterranean Lamiaceae, out of 219 potential targets, 145 plant species without previous ethnobotanical records—belonging to Thymus , Origanum , Satureja , and Clinopodium —are categorized as prime candidates due to significant support from both analyses. While the utility of these four genera is widely recognized, our framework goes beyond their traditional knowledge. By identifying unrecorded species within these well-known groups, our results show that substantial potential may still remain hidden even in extensively studied lineages. This phylogenetic prioritization offers a predictive, non-random, cost-effective roadmap to guide bioprospecting efforts toward Mediterranean Lamiaceae candidates with high potential for natural drug discovery, food applications, and nutraceuticals.