Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Uses of Some Plants Found in the Middle Region of Saudi Arabia

Full Length Research Paper

Medicinal and non-medicinal uses of some plants found in the middle region of Saudi Arabia

Randa S. A. Youssef

College of Science and Arts, Onaizah, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia.

Accepted 7 August, 2013

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is gifted with a wide range of flora, consisting of different species of trees, shrubs and herbs. It contains hydrocarbon, edible and medicinal plants. Eighty three species (belonging to thirty four plant families) have been investigated for their traditional and medicinal potentiality. The ethnopharmacy of Saudi Arabia represents a good example of a strongly interconnected integration between straight forward familiar medicinal remedies, health, diet and traditional healing practices characterized by cultural specific symbolism. Some of these species have uses other than being medicinal; examples include Adiantum capillus-veneris as refreshing summer drink, Beta vulgaris as source of sugar , Chenopodium murale for making dye , Eleusine indica for paper manufacture, Acacia farnesiana for making perfumes and dyes. Sixty four species are used for treating ailments of different digestive system organs (stomach and intestinal pain, appetizer, emetic). Five species are used as a remedy for diabetes; 18 species are used as diuretic plants; 14 are used for liver and spleen disorders; 17 for rheumatoid and joint inflammation pain; 9 plants for treating cancer and tumors; 24 are used for different skin diseases; 9 plants are used as antimicrobial, fungicide and insecticide and 19 are used for sexual diseases. Some of these plants have been used in medicinal remedy, as food and source of non- edible oil.

Key words: Medicinal plants, economic uses, Saudi Arabia.

INTRODUCTION

Since ancient times, plants and products derived from The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a large country, and different parts have constituted part of the inventory of occupies four-fifth of the Arabian Peninsula. It is gifted medicinal substances used in various cultures. Such with a wide range of flora, including trees, shrubs and uses still exist in ethnic folk medicine. During the last herbs of hydrocarbon, edible and medicinal nature decade considerable attention has been focused not only (Kürschner, 1984a; Mossa et al., 1987; Leipzig, 1996). on how plants are used, but also on how they are The country possesses a unique genetic diversity in the perceived and managed, as well as the mutual form of ecotypes of tree species and more than 280 other relationships between human societies and the plants on grasses species in various ecological/geographical which they depend (Cotton, 1997). The traditional regions (Collenette, 1985). Also, the relatives of medical use of plants by local communities (Ethnobotany) cultivated crops and potential medicinal plants present a is useful to learn about their knowledge, which in turn genetic diversity that must not be ignored (Leipzig, 1996). helps to define their needs for local natural resources Medicinal plants play a key role in the development and more clearly (Bermejo and Sanchez, 1997; Lirola et al., advancement of modern studies on biological activities of 1994). substances.

E-mail: [email protected]. 2502 J. Med. Plants Res.

Traditional health care systems using medicinal plants also showed great medicinal potential (Table 1). Some of can be recognized and used as a starting point for the them were found to be single use plants: Chenopodium development of novelties in drugs. The controlled use of murale (for stomach pain) and Kochia indica (as heart plant substances for medication is believed to be less tonic). Others were recorded as multiuse plants: Capparis toxic compared to that of synthetic products (Chadwick spinosa (52 uses), Beta vulgaris (19 uses), Citrullus and Marsh, 1994; Bhat, 1997; Hoareau and DaSilva, colocynthis (40 uses) and Anethum graveolens (19 uses). 1999; Pieroni et al., 2002). This study is based on the survey of plants’ biodiversity Scientific documentations on the efficiency and safety of different sites over a period of one and half year. of medicinal plants to cure major health problems in Eighty three species, belonging to 34 plant families, have Saudi Arabia and other Arabic country, however, are still been mentioned by interviewers and in different very limited (Ahmed et al., 1979; Al-Said, 1993; Al-Essa literatures as medicinal plants (Table 1). Some of these et al., 1998; Al-Qarawi et al., 2002; Al-Qarawi and Adam, species have uses other than being medicinal: Adiantum 2003; Ali et al., 2003; Al-Jishi and Abou_Hozaifa, 2003; capillus-veneris as refreshing summer drink; B. vulgaris EL-Ghazali et al., 2010; Saleh et al., 2011). Considering as source of sugar; C. murale for making dye ; Eleusine that Saudi Arabia is a rich country in terms of its indica for paper manufacture; Acacia farnesiana for biodiversity, natural based industry should be a good making perfumes and dyes. base for the future development of the exports of natural Among the plants listed in Tables 1 and 2 as repre- medicines. sented in Figure 2A, B and C , 64 species (77.1% of the Indigenous knowledge (IK) of uses of plants of Saudi total studied plants) are used for treating ailments of Arabia for the cure of many ailments is ancient and still different digestive system organs (stomach and intestinal available among the tribal and local people and medicinal pain, appetizer, emetic). Five species (6%) are used as a healers. These indigenous knowledge and traditional remedy for diabetes; 18 species (21.7%) are used as experiences are disappearing day by day with the diuretic plants; 14 (16.39%) are used for liver and spleen advance of development and modernization. It is disorders; 17 (20.5%) are used for rheumatoid and joint therefore, an urgent need to document these vast stores inflammation pain; 9 plants (10.8%) for treating cancer of knowledge through ethnobotanical surveys throughout and tumors; 24 (28.9%) are used for different skin the kingdom before their disappearance from the diseases; 9 plants (10.8%) are used as antimicrobial, community (Rahman et al., 2003). The present study tries fungicide and insecticide and 19 (22.9%) are used for to document the different uses of local plant species sexual diseases. distributed in Qassim and in the middle part of Saudi According to our survey, the practitioners administer Arabia, to "re-discover” the traces of retained traditional their remedies in the form of standard decoction prepared knowledge to connect this evaluation by sustaining the by adding hot water on the used plants’ part (roots, biological diversity. leaves, etc); it was infused in water or oil, juice, syrup, roasted material, fresh salad or fruit, poultice, past or inhalation of essential oil. The remedies were MATERIALS AND METHODS administrated orally or externally according to the treated diseases and preparation method. In Saudi folk traditional The plant species were collected from different sites of Qassim remedy, alcohol is not used as extraction solvent for (Figure 1). Identification of these plant species was done using religious reasons. However, vinegar may be used standard monographs and their local floras (Migahid, 1996; Abulfatih, 1984; Collenette, 1985; Chaudhary, 1989, 2000, 2001; instead, with water as solvent. The description for each Chaudhary and Jowaid, 1999; Mandaville, 1990; Heemstra et al., disease varied slightly among practitioners. 1990; Rahman et al., 2002a,b). Information concerning traditional The number of times a plant was mentioned is remedies used in folk medical practices was also collected from considered a guide to the extent of its use. The most different literatures (Mossa et al., 2000; Al-Yahya, 1984; Al-Yahya widely used plant seemed to be C. spinosa followed in et al., 1990; Ageel et al., 1987a,b; Shahina, 1994; Al-Shanwani, 1996; Batanouny, 1999; EL-Ghazali et al., 2010; Saleh et al., 2011). decreasing order by C. colocynthis , A. graveolens, B. Open-ended questionnaires (Martin, 1995) were applied separately vulgaris, A. Arabica, Datura fastuosa, Allium sativum, and for each interviewee (informant). The interviewers were 50 years Apium graveolens . This study has attempted to record old or older; only seven of them were Saudi women. Most of the the data regarding the availability of plant resources interviewers did not receive any (or little) education. which have various potential uses especially as traditional remedies. Evaluation of traditional and folk

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION pharmacopoeias in desert areas is very tedious, especially in Saudi Arabia. The plant species (Table 2) collected from the different The interest in new phytopharmaceuticals and areas of Unayzah (Figure 1) showed great biodiversity, 1 nutraceuticals grows continuously, and increasingly, parasite species ( Cuscuta campestris ), 5 trees, eight researchers are paying more attention to previously shrubs, 4 sub-shrubs, 12 perennial herb, and 40 annual neglected, uncommon biological resources. At the same herbs. Besides the great variation, the plant species time, ethnobiological and ethnopharmacological surveys Youssef 2503

Table 1. Medicinal use, non-medicinal, chemical constituents and mode of preparation of the medicinal plant species used by inhabitants of Onaizah province.

Mode of Non-medicinal Family Plant species Medicinal use Part used Chemical constituents preparation uses Astrignent, appetiser, antitoxic, fever, leukoderma, wound, diuretic, cough, Acanthaceae Blepharis ciliaris Roots, leaves, seeds - Decoction - antiasthmatic, phagitis, liver and spleen disorder, lung diseaeses, inflammation Triterpenoids, fernadiene, 7- fernene,3a, 4a- The fronds are used epoxyxyfilicane, 21 B- as a garnish on Fever, cough, diuretic, emmenagouge, hydroxy-29-nor-22- Decoction, juice, Adiantaceae Adiantum capillus-veneris Whole plant sweet dishes, tea, expectorant, colds, pulmonary catarrh hopanone, alicyclic acids, infusion syrup, refreshing kaempferol-3, 7-diglucoside, summer drink sulphate esters, tannins, sugars, mucilage B-amyrin, kaempferol-3- galactoside, kaempferol-3- Amaranthaceae Aerva javanica Toothache, snake and insects bites Whole plant rhamno galactoside, Decoction, gargle - sitosterolglucoside, ascorbic acid Digestive, astrignent, emetic, purgative, Canthranthus roseus vermifugal, themorrhagic, emmenagogue, Roots, leaves - - - Apocynaceae diabetes, cancer Antirheumatoid, pain relief, antibacterial, Roots, stems, leaves, Rhazya stricata - Decoction, poultice - venereal flowers Respiratory system, antiasthmatic, cancer, joint inflammation, antibacterial, digestive, Calotropin, calotropagenin, Juice, rubefacient, Calotropis procera purgative, expectorant, tussive, dysentry, Whole plant - uscharin, calotoxin, calactin pasts Asclepiadaceae emetic, elephantiasis, headache, diaphoretic, abortifacient, catarrh Gomphocarpus sinaicus Themorrhagic, rhinorrhagia, metrorrhagia. Whole plant - Decoction - Leptadenia pyrotechnica Flu, tussive, lactagogue Whole plant, seeds - Decoction - Boraginaceae Heliotropium digynum Skin diseases, demonomania Leaves - Decoction, poultice - Disinfictent, inflammation, wound wash, Capparis cartilaginea - - - - antitumor, tonic, purgative, sudorotive Capparaceae Antirheumatoid, astrignent, cough, anasarca, Capparis decidua tremor, wound, furunculosis, exanthem, Roots - Decoction - antitoxic, sedative, vermifugal, gout Capparis spinosa Aperient, tonic, diuretic, expectorant, Root bark, leaves, flavonoid glycoside rutin,

anthelmintic, emmenagogue, analgesic , rutic acid, pectic acid, antimicrobial, acegenic, anti HIV, antiaflatoxin, volatile emetic substance, antiaging, allergy, anemia, cancer, diabetes, saponin, alkaloids, antifertility, antigastric, antihepatitic, arabinose, ascorbic acid, inflammation, malaria, antimitotic, antioxidant, beta-sitosterol, antiseptic, antitumor, bardycardiac, demulcent, cappaprenols, choline, citric detoxicant, emetic, fungicide, acid, fats, glucocapangulin 2504 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 1. Contd.

hepatoprotective, hyperglycemic, lucocapparin, iodine, isothiocyanate-glycoside, L- immuno-stimulant, insulin-sparing, larvicide, stachydrine, lauric acid, laxative, lubricant, ovicide, osteogenic, linoleic acid, mucilage, oviposition-stimulant, radioprotective, sedative, Condiment, flowers myrestic acid, oleic acid, Poultice, decoction, thyrotropic, ulcerogenic, haemorrhoidal, cosmetic protein, quercetin, beta-L- aperient, deobstruent, depurative, tonic, rhamnopyranoside, vasoconstrictive, vaginal thrush, riboflavin, rutic acid, rutin, appetiser. tannin, vitamin-E Dipterygium glaucum Expectorant, stimulant Leaves - Decoction - Headache, tooth pain, liver pain, burns, constipation, emmenagouge, purgative, eye Roots and leaves Beta vulgaris inflammation, itch, scurf and dandruf, tumor, Roots - - cooked, leukaemia, ascariasis, anaemia, gargle, snake source of sugar bite, vermifugal, antirheumatoid Brassia eriophora Antirheumatoid, snake bite, vermifugal Whole plant, seed oil - - - Kidney diseases, antirheumatoid, ulcers, Seeds, leaves, flowers, seed Brassia muricata - - - Chenopodiaceae gargle oil Leaves and young shoots raw or cooked, used in Chenopodium murale Stomach pain Whole plant - Decoction. making bread,Gold/green dyes . Kochia indica Heart tonic Whole plant Alkaloids Decoction, oil, gargle - Cleome arabica Tonic, stimulant, appetiser, purgative, panicula Leaves - Decoction - Cleomaceae Itch, antirheumatoid, inflammation, Cleome brachycarpa Whole plant - Decoction, poultice - leukoderma, skin diseases Achillea fragrantissina Aching joints, fever, carminative, digestive Whole plant - Decoction - Fever, menstruation, regulator and nerve Artemisia judaica Whole plant - Decoction - system, carminative, emmenagogue Artemisia monosperma Constipation, antirheumatoid, flu Leaves, flowers - Decoction - Purgative, ear pain relief, antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antipyretic, antiseptic, Young leaves - Artemisia scoparia Whole plant - Decoction, ear drops cholagogue, diuretic, vasodilator, jaundice, cooked Compositae (Asteraceae) hepatitis, inflammation of the gall bladder Artemisia sieberi Vermifugal Whole plant - Poultice, decoction - Ornamental, young shoots and stems Blennorrhagia, purgative, inflammation, Adenine, choline, vitaminA, cooked ,effective in Chrysanthenum coronarium gonorrhoea, syphilis, expectorant, stomachic, Whole plant thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, Poultice, decoction controlling gonorrhoea vitamin C nematodes in the soil, repellent

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Table 1. Contd.

Expectorant, astringent, cholagogue, diuretic, Leaves cooked, Gnophalium luteo-album febrifuge, haemostatic, vulnerary, breast leaves, stem - Decoction, infusion. leaves are used as cancer a tinder

Refreshing, carminative, diuretic, colic gripes Leaves and stem Lactuca saligna , catarrh bronchitis, tonic, typhoid fever, Whole plant, seeds Lactucarium Decoction cooked, salads, digestive soups Digestive, tonic, vermifugal, gafeira, Convolvoulaceae Cressa cretica antiasthmatic, tuberculous, hematonic, Whole plant - Decoction - appetiser Anastatica hierochuntica Mogitocia, metrorrhagia Whole plants. - Decoction, powder. - Appetiser, vermifugal, tooth pain, wounds, Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, Roots and leaves Brassica rapa cough, diuretic, antipruritic, leukpdprema, Roots, leaves, seeds Decoction, poultice cooked increase bile secretion. vitaminC Young leaves cooked, Cruciferaceae condiment, seed Stimulant, stomachic, diuretic, antiscorbutic, thioglucoside, phytosterol, yields Eruca sativa sexual weakness, hair tonic, antimicrobial, Seeds, leaves, fruits alkaloid, essential oils, Eaten, oil. a semi-drying oil antiscorbutic, aphrodisiac, rubefacient. sugars, mineral matter which is a substitute for rapeseed oil, lighting, burning with very little soot Farsetia aegyptia Antirheumatoid Whole plants - Powder - Hydogogue, catharrha, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, aterative, purgative, jaundice, ascites, analgesic, anestheic, anti HIV, antiaging, allergy, antiasthmatic, antibacterial, cancer, diabetes, antifertility, flu, sedative, Cucurbitacin E, alkaloids, Decoction, poultice, Citrullus colocynthis antihemolyteic, malaria, antimitotic, Root, seeds, fruits - fixed oil, albuminoids antioxidant, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antitumor, eaten fresh Cucurbitaceae broncho relaxant, carminative, fungicide, hypatotonic, herbicide, hypolgycemic, insecticide, laxative, lubricant, mutagenic, purgative, teratogenic. Cucurbitacin C, triterpenoids Sexual diseases, liver diseases, stomach pain, glucoside, oils, palmitic acid, Cucumis prophetarum Roots, seeds, fruits Powder, decoction - demonomania, emetic, purgative oleic and linoleic acids, myriocarpin Cuscutaceae Cuscuta campestris Purgative, constipation Whole plant - Decoction, poultice -

Infusion, powder, Cynomoriaceae Cynomorium coccineum Astringent, aphrodisiac, tonic. Whole plant - - decoction, poultice Tonic, expectorant, refreshing, heart and brain Ehretiaceae Cordia myxa Whole plant - Decoction - diseases, respiratory system

2506 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 1. Contd.

B-sitosterol, stearic acid, Purgative, intestinal emphraxis, antitumor, wart Euphorbia dracunculoides Leaves, fruits palmitic, Decoction, poultice - remover daphnetin, quercetin Euphorbia granulata Blood purifier, diuretic, purgative, vermifugal Whole plant - Decoction, liniment - Euphorbiaceae Purgative, ulcer, antirheumatoid, vermifugal, mentalia, cholera, cancer, anthelmintic, Euphoscopins A&B, saponin, Decoction, liniment, Euphorbia helioscopia Whole plant - catharrah, eruptions, neuraglia, antiperiodic, hydrocarbon, resin juice febrifuge Euphorbia retusa Tussive, antiasthmatic, mentalia Whole plant - Powder, decoction - Frankenaceae Frankenia pulverulenta Carminative, analgesic Whole plant - Decoction, gargle - Fumarine, protopine, adlumidicaine, isoquinoline alkaloids, lahorine, Digestive, increase billary secretion, fever, lahoramine, parfimine, antitoxic, hematonic, diuretic, appetiser, blood fumariline, Fumariaceae Fumaria parviflora purifier, skin diseases, spleen disorder, Whole plant dihydrofumariline, Decoction - vermifugal, purgative, anti-emetic, sudorific, cryptopine, gafeira. stylopine, 8-oxocoptisine, sanguinarine, oxysanguinarine, fumaric acid. Chloris virgata Tonic Whole plant - Decoction - Feverish chills, amicolic, antispasmodic, hypotension, carminative, colic gripes, Cymbopogon schoenanthus Whole plant - Decoction, infusion Fragrance flatulence, polyarthritis, hysteritis, analgesic, sedative, expectorant Grown as a cover Diuretic, astringent, styptic, veterinary aid, for warm sunny opthalmic, hemorrhagia, rhinorrhagia, cyanodin, triticin, vitamin C, banks and are Cynodon dactylon Whole plant,roots, juice Decoction anasarca, dysentery, urinary tract inflamation, hydrocyanic acid sometimes used for dysuria, blennorrhagia lawns, soil stabilization Gramineae Dactylotenium aegyptium Antialgic, wound Seeds, whole plant Decoction, infusion.

Young plants and shoots seed Echinochloa colona Digestive, constipation, increase bile secretion Whole plant - Decoction cooked, Used as a millet Young seedlings cooked, stems are used to make mats, Antispasmodic, alexipyretic, liver diseases, Eleusine indica Whole plant - Decoction baskets , plant is sudorific, febrifuge suitable for paper manufacture, weaving

Youssef 2507

Table 1. Contd.

Alexipyretic, diuretic, hemorrhagic, hemolysis, rhinorrhagia, carminative, Ornamental, paper-making, astringent, febrifuge, tonic, weaving into mats and antistyptic, antifebrile, Roots, flowers, bags, Young inflorescences Imperata cylindrica antivinous, emollient, - Decoction and shoots cooked, The haemostatic, restorative, branches, young buds ash of the plant is used as nose bleeds, haematuria, a salt substitute haematemesis, oedema, jaundice, antibacterial, cancer, sialagogue, tonic. Eye diseases, diarrahoea, Labiatae Salvia aegyptiaca Whole plant Decoction blennorrhagia. Nutritive, expectorant, themorrhagic, diarrhoea,cough, blennorrhagia, Calcium, magnesium, Liniment, poultice, ecoction, mouthwash, astringent, Bark, gum, leaves, seeds, potassium Acacia arabica emollient, emulcent, - architis, dysentery, gargle, fruits salts of a polysaccharide, an confection, infustion tonic, inflammation of oxidase type enzyme urinary tract, hemorrhagic, transudation, aphrodisiac, diabetes, styptic Vermifugal, dysentery, mouth wash, blood diseases, antipruritic, Essential oils (benzaldehyde, Perfumes, dyes, inks, black ulcers, leukoderma, salicylic acid, methyl salicylate dyestuff, mend ottery, tooth Acacia farnesiana Bark, gum, leaves Decoction catarrah, odontonecrosis, and benzyl alcohol), brushes, hedge, pegs, vulvovaginitis, astringent, glycosides woodenware demulcent, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, insecticidal Leguminosae Astringent, cold, Poultice, decoction, Acacia seyal opthalmia, diarrhoea, Bark, gum, seeds Tannin and oils - haemorrhage, leprosy emollient Gafeira, vermifugal, snake Tannin, saponin bites, mouthwash, (albizziagenin), antiparalysis, night- Decoction, powder, Albiziatebbeck blindness, astringent, Bark, leaves, seeds, flowers oils, fats, - emollient, ointment, poultice diarrhoea, dysentery, sitosterolcyclocucalenol, gonorrhoea, swelling of ethyllophenol, cyclastenol, B- cervical glands amyrin, a-tocopherol Alexipyretic, digestive, Roots, stem, leaves, Decoction, injection, gargle, Alhagicamelorum tonic, purgative, diuretic, - - powder gafeira, catarrah flowers Antisphagitis, antienteritis, Astragalustribuloides Seeds - Poultice, decoction - pericolitis, alginuresis Tonic for digestive system, Cassia holosericea Leaves, fruits - Decoction - flatulence, purgative 2508 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 1. Contd.

Purgative, alexipyretic, Cassia italica Leaves, fruits - Decoction - inflammation, expectorant Purgative, diuretic, lithotomy, antitoxicant, swelling of Indigofera spleen, Whole plant - Poultice, decoction articulata antitumer, antirheumatoid, teeth protection, snake bite Eaten raw or cooked, salads, cosmetic, dye, moth Diabetes, anasarca, colic gripes, flu, catarrh bronchitis, ulcers, dysentery, anti- and insects Allium cepa Bulb - Decoction pileptic, rhinorrhagia, jaundice, diuretic, emmenagogue, opthalmia, demonomania repellent, rust preventative, polish for copper and Liliaceae glass. Antiasthmtic, increase blood circulation, muscle relaxation, diabetes, eaten raw or Allium catarrahbronchitis, flu, dysentery, hypertensive, urinary tract inflammation, liver Anthraquinone, protein, cooked, flavouring, Bulb Eaten, juice sativum diseases, antirheumatoid, diuretic, emmenagogue, diarrhoea, antiemetic, amino acids, oils salads, glue, intestinslcatarrah fungicide, repellent Asphodelus Anthraquinone, protein, Decoction, oinment, Diuretic, ulcers, inflammation Seeds, Whole plants - fistulosus amino acids, oils poultice Lawsonia Branches, leaves, flowers, Decoction, gargle, Lythraceae Gargle, spleen tumor, skin diseases, hair tonic, gafeira, headache, jaundice. - - inermis young buds poultice Cocculus Menispermaceae Fever Whole plant - Decoction - pendulus Ficus Moraceae Leukoderma, eye wash Whole plant - Eye wash, poultice - salicifolia Boerhavia The wood is used in Nyctaginaceae Diuretic, urinary tract disorder Roots - Decoction coccinea basket making Cistanche Orbanchaceae Jaundice, diarrahoea Leaf and flowers - Decoction - tubulosa Emex Polygonaceae Purgative, diuretic, digestive, appetiser, stomach troubles, anti-torming Whole plants - Decoction - spinosus A rose-tan dye is obtained from the Cotoneaster Rosaceae Purgative, flatulence, expectorant, appetiser, digestive, cough, aperient, stomachic Whole plant Hydrocyanic acid Decoction fruit. The wood is nunnularia used in basket making Youssef 2509

Table 1. Contd.

Soporific, antispasmodic, anti-pileptic, headache, eye and ear diseases, Alkaloids, hyoscyamine, Datura fastuosa demonomenia, epilepsy, madness, astringent anthelmintic, febrifuge, Roots, leaves, seeds, flowers hyoscine, atropine, allantoin, Decoction, infusion - parasiticide, nacrotic, emetic, tuberculosis, antiasthmatic, antirheumatoid oils, vitamin C Colic gripes, carminative, antiasthmatic, tussive, antitumor, hysteria, Datura innoxia Leaves, seeds Scopolamine Poultice, decoction - antirheumatiod, emmenagogue, flu, transudation, headache, anesthetic Solanaceae Antiasthmatic, inflammation, antirheumatoid, pain relief, ear pain relief, Datura metel Leaves, flowers, seeds - Decoction, ear drops - eye diseases, blennorrhagia Tussive, expectorant, antiasthmatic, carminative, sedative, antispasmodic, Hyoscyams muticus Leaves, flower buds Alkaloids, hyoscyamine Decoction, infusion - sea sickness, tooth pain Hyoscyams pusillus Tooth pain relief seeds - Iincense - Tiliaceae Grewia tenax Cough, pain relief Wood, bark - Decoction - 8-methoxypsoralen, Skin diseases, leukoderma, gafeira, contraceptive, diuretic, tonic, angina, Decoction, powder, Ammi majus Whole plant uranocoumarins, aromatic Condiment. carminative, antiasthmatic, toothache infusion, gargle compounds Volatile oils, apiol, glucoside, Eaten cooked, tea, Appetiser, colic gripes, mouth wash, carminative, aphrodisiac, diuretic, apin, bergapten, niacin, flavouring, astrignent, cordial, laxative, stimulant, emmenagouge, anthelimintic, Roots, leaves, seeds, Anethum graveolens vitamin B6 and A, riboflavin, Decoction perfuming, soaps, abortifacient, antispasmodic, brochitis, liver and spleen disorder, lumbago, fruits thiamine, insecticical Umbelliferae galactogogue aromatic compounds Appetiser, colic gripes, tonic, purgative, vermifugal, antiasthmaic, liver and Condiment, eaten Apium graveolens spleen disorder, antirheumatoid, anasarca, homeopathic, antispasmodic, Roots, seeds - - cooked, insect sedative, high blood pressure, kidney problems, anticonvulsant, calming repellent Bepleurum Stomach troubles, carminative, mentalia Fruits - - - semicompositum Fever, antiasthmatic, anti-emetic, dysentry, typhoid, anti-toxic, anti-tumor, Fagonia bruguieri Whole plant - Decoction, poultice - Zygophyllaceae ulcers, leukoderma, itch Fagonia indica Smallbox Whole plants - - -

dealing with traditional uses of plants and other Morocco (Oumzil et al., 2002). universities. However, in last few years diverse aspects of popular pharmacopoeias have been There is still a great need for more ecological and scarce researches have been performed on performed, in many Arab countries like Saudi and pharmaceutical investigations on unknown biological activities of Saudi flora (Ahmed et al., Arabia (Ahmed et al., 1979; Al-Qarawi et al., endemic medicinal plants, and even for known 1979; Al-Qarawi et al., 2002; Ali et al., 2003; Al- 2002; Ali et al., 2003; Al-Jishi and Abou-Hozaifa, ones. This needs a lot of efforts to be made, Jishi and Abou-Hozaifa, 2003; Al-Qarawi and 2003; Al-Qarawi and Adam, 2003; Abu-Irmaileh focusing on eco-sustainable interdisciplinary Adam, 2003). and Afifi, 2003; Abu-Rabia, 2005; Aburijai et al., projects and symposia involving biological Most of the listed plants in this study are 2007); Yemen (Al-Habori et al., 2002); United conservation. knowledge recording. The preservation of these Arab Emirates (Ali et al., 1999); Jordan Saudi Arabia does not have any regulation or herbs and of the traditional knowledge of how to (Mahasneh, 2002); Kuwait (Gibbons and Oriowo, legislative control on using, manufacture of local use them is an essential requirement for 2001); Egypt (El-Darier and Youssef, 2000; El- herbal medicines. This is because medicinal maintaining traditional Arabic medicine as a Darier et al., 2001; El-Darier et al., 2002); and products of herbs are rare in different Saudi medicinal and cultural resource. 2510 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 2. Medicinal, non-medicinal and total uses of plant species recorded at Al Qassim region.

Medicinal Non medicinal Total Citation Family scientific names of plant species Plant local name Habit uses uses uses reference Acanthaceae Blepharis ciliaris Shook Al Dabb Perennial 14 0 14 2

Adiantaceae Adiantum capillus-veneris Kosbarat Al Bair Annual 7 4 11 1

Amaranthaceae Aerva javanica Towaim/Arwa Annual 3 0 3 1

Apocynaceae Catharanthus roseus Biftah Perennial 9 0 9 1 Rhazya stricta Harmal Shrub 4 0 4 3 Total - - 13 0 13 4

Asclepiadaceae Calotropis procera Oshar Shrub 16 0 16 2 Gomphocarpus sinaicus Arjal Shrub 3 0 3 1 Leptadenia pyrotechnica Markh Shrub 3 0 3 1 Total - - 22 0 22 4

Boraginaceae Heliotropium digynum Hetaan Sub-shrub 2 0 2 1

Capparidaceae

Capparis cartilaginea Shaflah Tree 7 0 7 1 Capparis decidua Tanddab Shrub 12 0 12 1 Capparis spinosa kobbar Tree 52 2 54 4 Dipterygium glaucum Soferah Annual 2 0 2 1 Total - - 73 2 75 8

Chenopodiaceae

Bassia eriophora Quttain/Quttania Annual 3 0 3 1 Bassia muricata Zanbaan Annual 4 0 4 1 Youssef 2511

Table 2. Contd.

Beta vulgaris Salq Barey Annual 19 2 21 15 Chenopodium murale Zorbaih Annual 1 3 4 3 Kochia indica Kosha Annual 1 0 1 1 Total - - 28 5 33 21

Cleomaceae Cleome arabica Shagar Al Wahsh Perennial 5 0 5 1 Cleome brachycarpa Berberan Perennial 5 0 5 1 Total - - 10 0 10 2

Compositae (Asteraceae) Achillea fragrantissima Qaissom Annual 4 1 5 2 Artemisia judaica Sheeh/Bo’ithran Shurb 5 1 6 9 Artemisia monosperma Khoberh/Adaar Shrub 3 0 3 1 Artemisia scoparia Selekah Shurb 12 1 13 1 Artemisia sieberi Sheeh/Enab Shurb 1 0 1 1 Chrysanthenum coronarium Eqhewan Al Hadaik Annual 8 4 12 1 Gnaphalium luteo-album Ghobirah/O’deed Annual 8 2 10 2 Lactuca saligna Oudeed Annual 8 2 10 2 Total - - 49 11 60 19

Convolvulaceae Cressa cretica Nedawah Perennial 8 0 8 1

Cruciferaceae (Brassicaceae) Anastatica hierochuntica Kaf Mariam Annual 2 0 2 13 Brassica rapa Khardal Annual 9 1 10 11 Eruca sativa Gargeer Annual 10 4 14 17 Farsetia aegyptia Gerabeh Sub-shrub 1 0 1 1 Total - - 22 5 27 42

Cucurbitaceae Citrullus colocynthis Hunzal Annual 40 0 40 9 Cucumis prophetarum Sharaa Al Zeib Annual 6 0 6 3 2512 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 2. Contd.

Total - - 46 0 46 12

Cuscutaceae Cuscuta campestris So’rah Parasite 2 0 2 1

Cynomoriaceae Cynomorium coccineum Tartoth Annual 3 0 3 1

Ehretiaceae (Boraginaceae) Cordia myxa Foheet Tree 6 0 6 1

Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia dracunculoides Yaqteen Annual 4 0 4 4 Euphorbia granulata Lebaan Annual 4 0 4 8 Euphorbia helioscopia Al Damael Annual 13 0 13 3 Euphorbia retusa Um Leban/Ghazalah Perennial 3 0 3 1 Total - - 24 0 24 17

Frankeniaceae Frankenia pulverulenta Moleeh Annual 2 0 2 1

Fumariaceae Fumaria parviflora (= Fumaria indica ) Homeerah Perennial 15 0 15 1

Graminae (Poaceae) Chloris virgata Klorees Annual 1 0 1 1 Cymbopogon schoenanthus Sakhraa/Homrah Annual 12 1 13 1 Cynodon dactylon Thyial/Negeel Perennial 13 2 15 3 Dactyloctenium aegyptium Naiem Al Saleeb Annual 2 0 2 1 Echinochloa colona Abu Rokbah/Zainabah Annual 3 2 5 1 Eleusine indica Hamraa Annual 5 5 10 1 Imperata cylindrica Halfa/Toraish Annual 24 6 30 1 Total - - 60 16 76 9

Youssef 2513

Table 2. Contd.

Labiatae Salvia aegyptiaca Salvia Sub-shrub 3 0 3 1

Leguminosae Acacia Arabica (=Acacia nilotica) (Mimosaceae) Sant Araby Tree 18 0 18 1 Acacia farnesiana (Mimosaceae) Sant frensy Tree 15 9 24 1 Acacia seyal Talh Tree 6 0 6 1 Albizia lebbeck (Mimosaceae) Labkh Tree 11 0 11 3

Alhagi camelorum (= Alhagi maurorum ) Papilionaceae Aakool Shrub 7 0 7 1 Astragalus tribuloides Papilionaceae Baid Al gamal Annual 4 0 4 1 Cassia holosericea (=Senna holosericea ) (Caesalpinacea) O’shrok Shrub 3 0 3 1 Cassia italica Sanamaiky/Sanamakkah Shrub 4 0 4 5 Indigofera articulata Khedaish Shrub 9 0 9 1 Total - - 77 9 86 15

Liliaceae Allium cepa Bassal Perennial 15 7 22 17 Allium sativum Toom Annual 17 6 23 17 Asphodelus fistulosus Bassal Al Himaar Annual 3 0 3 3 Total - - 35 13 48 37

Lythraceae Lawsonia inermis Henna Shrub 7 0 7 17

Menispermaceae Cocculus pendulus Labakh Al Jamal/Kathan Annual 1 0 1 1

Moraceae Ficus salicifolia Tha’ab Shrub 2 0 2 1

Nyctaginaceae Boerhavia coccinea (=Boerhavia procumbens ) Rakamah/Samektet shrub 2 2 4 1

2514 J. Med. Plants Res.

Table 2. Contd.

Orobanchaceae Cistanche tubulosa Zanoon Annual 2 0 2 1

Polygonaceae Emex spinosus Hambaaz Annual 6 0 6 2

Rosaceae Cotoneaster nummularia =Cotoneaster racemiflorus Sareh Shrub 8 2 10 1

Solanaceae Datura fastuosa Datorah Sub-shrub 18 0 18 3 Datura innoxia Datorah Annual 12 0 12 3 Datura metel Datorah Annual 7 0 7 3 Hyoscyamus muticus Sekwaan/Beng Perennial 8 0 8 4 Hyoscyamus pusillus Beng Safary Annual 1 0 1 1 Total - - 46 0 46 14

Tiliaceae Grewia tenax Khadaar Shrub 2 0 2 1

Umbelliferae Ammi majus Khelah Shytani Annual 10 1 11 2 Anethum graveolens Shabaat/Sanoot Annual 19 6 25 13 Apium graveolens Karafs Perennial 17 3 20 15 Bupleurum semicompositum Za’fran Annual 3 0 3 10 Total - - 49 10 59 40

Zygophyllaceae Fagonia bruguieri Shika’a/Gonaibah Perennial 10 0 10 1 Fagonia indica Showaika Sub-shrub 1 0 1 1 Total - - 11 0 11 2

Youssef 2515

Figure 1. Map of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showing the study area ( ┼).

80 A

Number of Medicinal Uses 10

0 Labiatae Liliaceae Tiliaceae Moraceae Rosaceae Gramineae Lythraceae Solanaceae Ehretiaceae Adiantaceae Cleomaceae Compositae Umbelliferae Fumariaceae Cuscutaceae Acanthaceae Capparaceae Leguminosae Apocynaceae Boraginaceae Cruciferaceae Polygonaceae Frankenaceae Cucurbitaceae Orbanchaceae Nyctaginaceae Euphorbiaceae Cynomoriaceae Zygophyllaceae Amaranthaceae Asclepiadaceae Chenopodiaceae Convolvoulaceae Menispermaceae

Figure 2. Number of medicinal (A), non-medicinal (B) and uses (C) of plant families. 2516 J. Med. Plants Res.

16 B

2 Number Of Non-Medicinal Uses 0 Labiatae Liliaceae Tiliaceae Moraceae Rosaceae Gramineae Lythraceae Solanaceae Ehretiaceae Adiantaceae Cleomaceae Compositae Umbelliferae Fumariaceae Acanthaceae Cuscutaceae Capparaceae Leguminosae Apocynaceae Boraginaceae Cruciferaceae Polygonaceae Frankenaceae Cucurbitaceae Orbanchaceae Nyctaginaceae Euphorbiaceae Cynomoriaceae Zygophyllaceae Amaranthaceae Asclepiadaceae Chenopodiaceae Convolvoulaceae Menispermaceae Chenopodiaceae Convolvoulaceae Menispermaceae 100 C 80

20 Number of Total Uses

0 Labiatae Liliaceae Tiliaceae Moraceae Rosaceae Lythraceae Gramineae Solanaceae Ehretiaceae Adiantaceae Compositae Umbelliferae Cleomaceae Acanthaceae Cuscutaceae Fumariaceae Capparaceae Leguminosae Apocynaceae Boraginaceae Cruciferaceae Polygonaceae Frankenaceae Cucurbitaceae Orbanchaceae Nyctaginaceae Euphorbiaceae Zygophyllaceae Cynomoriaceae Amaranthaceae Asclepiadaceae Chenopodiaceae Menispermaceae Convolvoulaceae

Figure 2. Contd.

Conclusion and regulating the procedure of medicinal plant handling, storage and method of use, to avoid malpractice and This investigation proved that folk medicine is still mistreatment. practiced on limited scale by a small sector of the population in the middle region of Saudi Arabia. Generally speaking, most of Qasimm district inhabi- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS tants still preserve their traditional ecological knowledge The author thanks Dr. M. Mahmoud (King Saud hospital, utilizing many wild plants for their subsistence in spite of Unaizah), Dr. Saad H. (Wafaa hospital, Unaizah) and Dr. harsh desert conditions. However, adequate experience Ahmed R. (Henof hospital, Riyadh) for their help in the and proper handling of herbal medicine requires the medical part of the work. Also the author appreciates the licensing of knowledgeable and professional herbalists unlimited efforts of Prof. Fathy A. (Faculty of Science, Youssef 2517

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