Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 10 (1984) 296-310 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd.
ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN NORTHERN ISRAEL*
AMOTS DAFNIa, ZOHARA YANIVb and DAN PALEVITC~b
‘institute of Evolution, Hw*fa University, Haifa and bDepartmekt of Medicinal and spice Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan (Israel)
(Accepted January 25,1984)
summary
An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Israel on native plants which are known as medicinal plants by different ethnic groups practicing tradi- tional medicine. In this work 43 species are reported, based on quotations and frequency of utilization. Their current medicinal uses, as well as methods of preparation and administration are described and compared with literary evidence.
Introduction
Israel is known for the wealth of plant species with medicinal properties which have been used since early times (Crowfoot and Baldensperger, 1932). Moreover, many ethnic groups co-exist and provide excellent material for a comparative folkloristic research. However, very little information is avail- able about folk plant medicines still being used in this region
An extensive ethnobotanical survey was carried out by us in northern Israel in order to document the information about the traditional medicinal practices based on plant species. Part of this work concerning Labiatae in Israel has been published (Yaniv et al., 1982).
Materials and methods
The research was carried out mainly in the northern part of Israel. Sixty- six selected informants were interviewed. Information regarding folk medicinal practice was collected for about 100 plants. The identity of the plant was checked using live specimens, photographs and slides. A medicinal
*This work was supported by a grant from the National Council for Research and Development,
0378-8’741/84/$05.10 o 1984 Elsevier Scientific Publishers Ireland Ltd. Published and Printed in Ireland
296
property was accepted as valid if mentioned by at least three separate infor- mants, Most of the people in~~iewed were active as herbal healers and their average age was 60 years. Healers who were popular and known in their region were chosen. In most cases only one healer from each village was interviewed.
Results
More than 150 plant species are still used in folk medicine in the area surveyed. Forty-three species are considered as being the most important, based on quotation and frequency of use. The plants are listed following taxonomical order (Zohary, 1966,197Z). Medicinal use, parts used, methods of preparation and administration and references are also noted (Table 1).
Discussion
This survey d~~~rnents the prevailing tradition of herbs-medicine in northern Israel. Some of the plants are well known as medicinal plants in most parts of the country and are used by most of the healers. Outstanding examples are: IF-U& viscosa, with 19 different medical uses including local variations; Salvia fruticosa, with seven different medical uses and Solaces ~~g~~~ with 11 uses. These plants are used by almost all healers, but each healer is famihar with only part of the medical spectrum. When a plant is widely accepted as a medicinal pIant, variations in usage are added to its main use. Relatively few plants are well known for only one major applica- tion (e.g. Po~ygonum equisitifurme for kidney malfunction, Rfaamnus alaternus for jaundice).
Comparative study of early Arabic medicine (Levey, 1966) reveals that herbal remedies have decreased in importance (Levey and Khaledy, 1967) due to penetration of modem medicine to even the most remote villages.
Methods of preparation of the different drugs are galenic in nature, and less advanced than the pharmaceutic methods of Arabic medicine in the 10th and 11th century. Also, in the past, many mixtures containing up to 40 different plants were used (contempor~ examples can be found in the Bedouin medicine of the Sinai (Levy, 1978) while today mixtures are rare and used mainly for steam bath applications. Care is taken not to use poisonous and narcotic plants, much used in the past, such as Dam-a sp. Hyoscyamus sp. and Mandnrgora officinalis. In spite of a practical approach to healing, magical traditions also exist.
The main meth~s of app~cation are: tisane, steam bath, extract of crushed leaves and cooked plant parts. A lipidic material (samne) is often used as a base for creams. Only one healer was found who distilled essential oils and used them separately.
It was observed that each healer knows and uses only a small number of plants. Each has his own methods, following his father’s or teacher’s tradi-
TA
BL
E
1
A L
IST
OF
TH
E M
ED
ICIN
AL
P
LA
NT
S
OF
NO
RT
HE
RN
IS
RA
EL
Bot
anic
al
nam
e an
d fa
mil
y M
edic
inal
u
se
Pla
nt
part
P
repa
rati
on/a
dmin
istr
atio
n
Ref
eren
ce
ASP
LE
NIA
CE
AE
Ce
tera
ch o
ffic
ina
rum
DC
. E
xter
nal
wou
nds
W
hol
e pl
ants
G
rou
nd
drie
d po
wde
r ap
plie
d to
C
ulp
eper
(16
52)
and
cuts
af
fect
ed
area
s A
bou
-Ch
aar
and
Ade
s (1
961)
FA
GA
CE
AE
Que
rcus
cal
lipri
nos
Web
b.
Que
rcus
ith
abur
ensi
s D
ecn
e
UR
TIC
AC
EA
E
Urt
ica
pilu
lifem
L
. U
. ur
ens
L.
Par
ieta
ria
diff
usa
Mer
t. e
t K
och
.
Ulc
er
Rh
eum
atis
m
Aco
rn
(a)
Gro
un
d an
d m
ixed
w
ith
Aco
rn
Bab
onag
Ant
hem
is
nob&
(b
) D
run
k a
s a
tisa
ne
(a)
Gro
un
d an
d sp
read
on
aff
ecte
d
Abd
omin
al
pain
s
Nig
ht
uri
nat
ion
in
ch
ildr
en
Eye
in
flam
mat
ion
E
xter
nal
wou
nds
U
lcer
s, d
iarr
hea
Flo
wer
s
Ext
ern
al w
oun
ds
See
ds
Ext
ern
al
infl
amm
atio
ns
Lea
ves
Sex
ual
pot
ency
L
ocal
an
esth
esia
S
eeds
L
eave
s
Ext
ern
al w
oun
ds
Lea
ves
area
(a
) T
isan
e of
aco
rn
(b)
Tis
ane
of f
low
ers
Tis
ane
Gro
un
d,
drie
d po
wde
r ap
plie
d to
S
ame
as a
bove
B
oile
d in
wat
er a
nd
dru
nk
Pow
dere
d gr
oun
d se
eds
appl
ied
to
affe
cted
ar
eas
Fre
sh l
eave
s ap
plie
d to
th
e in
fect
ed
area
Are
eat
en
Mac
erat
ed
and
rubb
ed
on
affe
cted
ar
ea
Mac
erat
ed
and
appl
ied
to w
oun
ds
Cro
wfo
ot
and
Bal
den
sper
ger
(193
2)
Al
Raw
i an
d C
hak
rava
rty
(196
4 )
TA
BL
E
1 (C
o~~
~~
ed)
@
trJ
Rot
anic
af
nam
e an
d fa
mil
y M
edic
inal
u
se
Phn
t pa
rt
Pre
p~at
ion
fadm
iais
trat
ion
R
efer
ence
PO
LY
G
ON
AC
EA
E
Pol
ygon
urn
equi
eiti
form
e S
ibth
. et
Sm
.
CA
RY
OPH
YLLA
CE
AE
Par
onyc
hia
arge
ntea
L
am.
Diu
reti
c.
For
k
idn
ey
com
plai
nts
Diu
reti
c
Kid
ney
st
ones
Her
bs
Lea
ves
Hea
rt p
ain
s L
eave
s D
iabe
tes
Lea
ves
LA
WR
AC
EA
E
Lau
rus
nob&
L
.
CA
PPA
RID
AC
EA
E
Cap
pari
s sp
inos
a L
.
Rh
eum
atic
an
d n
eura
lgic
pai
ns
Ext
ern
al w
oun
ds
Col
ds.
Gen
eral
to
nic
Rh
eum
atis
m
Ext
ern
al p
ain
s
Mal
e an
d F
emal
e st
eril
ity
Oil
obt
ain
ed
fram
fru
its
Sam
e L
eave
s
Roo
t an
d fr
uit
Roo
ts
Roo
ts
Dec
octi
on.
Tak
en i
n t
he
mor
nin
gs
for
3-4
days
Dec
octi
on
of
200
g le
aves
/l
2-4
glas
ses/
day
Dec
o&on
of
20
0 g
leav
es/l
2-
4 gh
urs
esjd
ay
Rec
octi
on.
Rru
nk
wit
h h
oney
T
isan
e. T
aken
for
40
days
Oil
ru
bbed
on
aff
ecte
d ar
eas
Oil
. ru
bbed
on
aff
ecte
d ar
eas
Ste
am b
ath
tog
eth
er
wit
h l
eave
s of
Sal
via
frut
icos
a,
Rut
a ch
ale-
pe
nsis
an
d S
atu
rea
thym
bra
Cru
shed
an
d ap
plie
d to
aff
ecte
d ar
ea f
or a
sh
ort
tim
e (l
onge
r tr
eatm
ent
cau
ses
burn
s)
A p
owde
r m
ade
and
appl
ied
to
affe
cted
ar
ea f
or 1
5 m
in,
only
A t
issn
e is
pre
pare
d
Abo
u-C
haa
r an
d A
des
(196
1)
Ch
opra
et
al.
(196
0)
Ala
mi
et a
l. (1
974)
L
evy
(197
8)
Hoo
per
(193
7)
Git
hen
s (1
948)
A
bou
-Ch
aar
and
Ade
s (1
961)
A
lam
i et
al.
(197
4)
Mal
e er
ecti
on
Cou
gh a
nd
lun
g co
mpl
ain
ts
Flo
wer
s R
ipe
fru
its
Cru
shed
an
d ap
plie
d to
are
a A
tis
ane
is d
run
k f
or t
hre
e da
ys
Ch
opra
et
al.
(196
6)
Ala
mi
et a
t. (
1974
)
ROSACEAE
Sarc
opot
eriu
m
epin
osum
(L
.)
Bp.
(=
P
oter
ium
sp
inos
um
L.)
Too
thac
hes
R
oots
(a
) D
ococ
tion
. U
sed
as a
gar
gle
(b)
Dec
o&io
n,
wit
h r
oots
of
Znu
lu
visc
ose
and
Rub
us
sanc
tus,
sa
lt
and
clov
es.
Use
d as
a g
argl
e.
Dec
octi
on.
Use
d as
a d
rin
k
Dec
octi
on.
Use
d as
a t
ea
Dia
bete
s D
iges
tion
, st
omac
h
ach
es a
nd
hea
dach
es
Roo
ts
Roo
ts
Ste
imet
z (1
965)
S
han
i et
al.
(197
6)
MIMOSACEAE
Ros
opis
fa
rcta
(R
ank
s et
S
ol.)
Mac
brid
e.
Ch
olet
hia
sis
(san
d in
kid
ney
) D
iabe
tes
Dys
ente
ry
Roo
ts
Pee
led
root
s F
ruit
s
Dec
octi
on.
Use
d as
a d
rin
k
Dec
octi
on.
Use
d as
a d
rin
k
Dec
o&io
n.
Use
d as
a d
rin
k
Hoo
per
(193
7)
Al
Raw
i an
d C
hak
rava
rty
(196
4)
CAESALPINACEAE
Cer
aton
iu s
iliqu
a L
. W
oun
ds
on t
ongu
e
Cou
gh.
Use
d as
a
ton
ic
Kid
ney
st
ones
L
un
g ai
lmen
ts
Fru
it,
hon
ey
Fru
it
Roo
ts
Roo
ts
App
lied
di
rect
ly.
Rec
omm
ende
d fo
r ch
ildr
en
Eat
en
Ch
opra
et
al.
(195
6)
Fri
edm
an
(196
6)
Gly
cyrr
hiiz
a gl
abra
L.
Dec
octi
on.
Dru
nk
as
nee
ded
Soa
ked
in
wat
er f
or 1
2 h
, dr
un
k
wit
h s
uga
r C
ulp
eper
(16
52)
Jain
(19
68)
Das
tur
(197
0)
Cam
pbel
l-T
hom
pson
(1
949)
Ja
in (
1968
) P
aris
an
d D
illm
an
(196
0)
Mor
ton
(1
978)
Fah
my
(196
3)
Ala
mi
et a
l. (1
974)
Ext
ern
al
wou
nds
L
eave
s A
ppli
ed
to a
ffec
ted
area
Ulc
ers
Roo
ts
Dec
o&io
n.
Use
d as
a t
ea
Alh
agi
mau
roru
m
Med
ik.
Ch
olet
hia
sis
(san
d in
kid
ney
) R
hiz
ome
Dec
octi
on.
Ext
ract
le
t st
and
over
nig
ht
un
til
yell
ow.
TA
BL
E
1 (C
onti
nu
ed)
Bot
anic
al
nam
e an
d fa
mil
y M
edic
inal
u
se
Pla
nt
part
P
repa
rati
on/a
dmin
istr
atio
n
Ref
eren
ce
:
Tak
en 3
tim
es a
day
R
heu
mat
ism
R
hiz
ome
Ste
am b
ath
is
prep
ared
fro
m
cru
shed
rh
izom
e
RU
TA
CE
AE
Rut
a e~
a~e~
e~~
L
.
AN
AC
AR
DIA
CE
AE
Pis
taci
a le
ntis
cua
L.
Res
pira
tory
pr
oble
ms
Sto
mac
h
ach
es
Str
ain
ed e
yes
Hai
r fl
eece
G
ener
al b
ody
ach
es
Indi
gest
ion
Res
pira
tory
ai
lmen
ts
Sor
e th
roat
Roo
ts
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Fri
edm
an
(196
6)
Gu
nth
er
(196
8)
Par
tial
par
alys
is
Hea
dach
es a
nd
feve
r
Cou
ghs
Cru
shed
an
d ap
plie
d as
a c
om-
pres
s C
rush
ed w
ith
oli
ve o
il a
nd
mas
sage
d on
aff
ecte
d ar
ea
(a)
Dec
octi
on.
Oil
ve o
il i
s ad
ded.
L
iqu
id
is a
ppli
ed
to f
oreh
ead.
T
reat
men
t in
duce
s sw
eati
ng
(b)
Tis
ane
(a)
Ste
amba
th.
Liq
uid
is
app
lied
ex
tern
ally
on
bod
y (b
) C
rush
ed l
eave
s w
ith
ch
amom
ile
leav
es t
ied
arou
nd
ches
t (a
) T
iian
e,
prep
ared
wit
h l
eave
s of
L
auru
s no
bilis
(b
) O
il i
s bo
iled
w
ith
lea
ves
and
wit
h
seed
s of
Nig
ella
sa
tiua
and
appl
ied
on b
ody
Tis
ane
Dec
o&io
n.
App
lied
as
a c
ompr
ess
Hai
r is
rin
sed
wit
h a
wat
er e
xtra
ct
Ste
am b
ath
is
use
d
Gu
nth
er (
1963
)
You
ng
bran
ches
D
ecoc
tion
. U
sed
as a
tea
R
esin
U
sed
to p
repa
re a
tea
L
eave
s C
rush
ed a
nd
snif
fed
Lea
ves
Dec
o&io
n.
Use
d as
a t
ea
Gu
nth
er
(196
8)
Rhu
s co
riar
ia
L.
RH
AM
NA
CE
AE
Rha
mnu
s al
ater
nus
L.
Kid
ney
st
ones
Y
oun
g br
anch
es
Dia
rrh
ea
Too
th
and
gum
ac
hes
S
wol
len
le
gs
Sto
mac
h
ach
es
Fru
its
Fru
its
Fru
its
Fru
its
Jau
ndi
ce
You
ng
bran
ches
L
eave
s
MA
LV
AC
EA
E
Mal
va
nica
ensi
s A
ll.
(an
d ot
her
spe
cies
of
Mal
ta)
Ext
ern
al w
oun
ds
Lea
ves
Sw
olle
n
spot
s L
eave
s
CU
CU
RB
ITA
CE
AE
Ecb
aliu
m
elat
eriu
m
(L.)
A
. Ja
un
dice
R
ich
.
Lax
ativ
e A
nti
neu
ralg
ic
Fru
it s
ap
Fru
it
Fru
it
Fru
it
Fru
it
Dec
octi
on.
Use
d as
a t
ea.
Dru
nk
fr
equ
entl
y u
nti
l im
prov
emen
t is
obs
erve
d
Tis
ane
is m
ade
and
use
d T
isan
e is
use
d as
a g
argl
e
Cru
shed
, so
aked
an
d ap
plie
d to
sw
olle
n
area
s S
oak
ed
in w
ater
wit
h a
dded
co
oked
eg
g
Dec
octi
on.
Yel
low
li
quid
is
tak
en
once
a
day,
on
an
em
pty
stom
ach
S
team
bath
Cru
shed
lea
ves
are
use
d as
a
pou
ltic
e on
aff
ecte
d ar
ea
Cru
shed
wit
h w
hit
e fl
our
and
egg
yolk
an
d ap
plie
d on
af
fect
ed
area
Giv
en a
s dr
ops
to n
ostr
ils
Sn
iffe
d D
ecoc
tion
is
pre
pare
d an
d u
sed
Sm
all
amou
nt
is e
aten
C
rush
ed w
ith
oli
ve o
il a
nd
appl
ied
to a
ffec
ted
area
Daf
ni
(198
0)
Gu
nth
er
(196
8)
Cam
pbel
l-T
hom
pson
(1
949)
Das
tur
(197
0)
Gri
eve
(197
4)
Flu
ck
(197
6)
Ria
ni
(196
3)
Abo
u-C
haa
r an
d A
des
(196
1)
Git
hen
s (1
948)
C
ampb
ell-
Th
omps
on
(194
9)
Ch
opra
et
al.
(195
6)
Gri
eve
(197
4)
TA
BL
E
1 (C
onti
nu
eal)
%
B
otan
ical
n
ame
and
fam
ily
Med
icin
al u
se
Pla
nt
par
t ~
epar
at~
on/a
d~
n~
tmti
on
Ref
eren
ce
N
- Citr
ullu
s co
locy
nthi
s (L
.) S
chra
d.
Dia
bet
es
Par
tial
par
alys
is
and
sp
asm
s
MY
RT
AC
EA
E
Myr
tus
com
mun
is
L.
Sk
in i
rrit
atio
ns
in c
hii
dre
n
Bat
hin
g a
new
bor
n
WM
BE
LL
IFE
RA
E
Ery
ngiu
m
cret
icum
L
am.
An
imal
bit
es a
nd
p
oiso
ns,
m
ain
ly
snak
e an
d
scorp
ifin
E
xter
nal
open
w
oun
ds
and
cu
ts
Dia
bet
es
Am
mi
visn
aga
L.
Lam
. S
ton
e in
kid
ney
s
Fru
it
&.li
t p
ulp
Leav
es
LW
Wi?
S
Lea
ves
and
root
s
Lea
ves
Cru
shed
tog
eth
er
and
ap
pli
ed t
o an
d ro
ots
wou
nd
Lea
ves
Infl
ores
cenc
e
Dec
octi
on
is g
iven
as
a d
rink
Dec
octio
n of
inf
lore
scen
ce
with
se
eds,
liq
uid
is t
aken
in
in
crea
sing
qu
antit
ies
to a
djus
t to
tas
te
PR
IMU
LA
CE
AE
C
ycta
men
pe
~icu
m
Mill
. E
xter
nal
w
ou
nd
s an
d i
nfl
amm
a-
tion
s
Bul
b
(a)
Coo
ked
frui
t p
ulp
un
til
diss
olve
d an
d ap
plie
d to
foo
t (b
) C
ut f
ruit
is s
mel
led
(c)
Dri
ed
frui
t is
gro
und
and
half
ts
p is
tak
en
per
day
Stea
m
bath
Ria
ni
(196
3)
Frie
dman
(1
966)
Dri
ed
pow
dere
d le
aves
are
use
d ei
ther
as
suc
h or
soa
ked
in o
live
oil
and
spre
ad
on s
kin
Cru
sh
in o
live
oil
and
appl
ied
afte
r an
ini
tial
salt
trea
tmen
t
Har
euve
ni
(193
0,
1938
) C
row
foot
an
d B
alde
nspe
rger
(3
932)
Lea
ves
are
eate
n.
Gro
un
d
root
so
aked
in
wat
er i
s ap
pli
ed t
o b
ite
Cho
pra
et
al.
(195
6)
Fahm
y (1
956)
A
lam
i et
al
. (1
974)
A p
oulti
ce
mad
e of
cru
shed
bu
lb
is
appl
ied
in s
mal
l qu
antit
ies
Gun
ther
(1
963)
APO
CY
NA
CE
AE
Ner
ium
ol
eand
er
L.
Eye
in
flam
mat
ion
s B
ulb
B
oile
d ju
ice
from
cr
ush
ed
bulb
is
appl
ied
Sk
in e
czem
a B
ulb
Ju
ice
from
cr
ush
ed
bulb
is
appl
ied
Sk
in i
rrit
atio
ns
and’
ecze
ma
Abd
omin
al
hem
orrh
oids
Lea
ves
and
flow
ers
Pla
nt
late
x L
eave
s
Dec
octi
on
is m
ade
of
both
u
nti
l 21
3 of
w
ater
is
evap
orat
ed.
Th
ick
li
quid
is
app
lied
on
af
fect
ed
area
S
prea
d on
aff
ecte
d ar
ea
Boi
led
in w
ater
. T
hre
e dr
ops
in a
gl
ass
of m
ilk
3 t
imes
a d
ay
Koh
en
(193
5)
Jan
sen
.(lO
Sl)
BO
RA
GIN
AC
EA
E
Anc
husa
st
rigo
sa
Ban
ks
et S
ol.
Hea
lin
g op
en
wou
nds
L
eave
s (a
) C
rush
ed l
eave
s ar
e ap
plie
d to
w
oun
d (b
) C
rush
ed l
eave
s ar
e bo
iled
in
oil
an
d ap
plie
d
LA
BIA
TA
E
Teu
criu
m
poli
um
L.
Sto
mac
h
ach
es
espe
cial
ly
in
chil
dren
Lea
ves
(a)
Tis
ane.
Giv
en a
s a
bitt
er d
rin
k
to a
dult
s. B
abie
s su
ck o
n i
t.
Har
euve
ni
(193
0)
Cro
wfo
ot
and
Bal
den
sper
ger
(193
2)
Ala
mi
et a
l. (1
974)
Maj
oran
a sy
riac
a (L
.)
Raf
in.
Ope
n w
oun
ds
Dia
bete
s C
old
and
feve
r
Too
thac
he
and
gum
in
fect
ion
s
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Hea
rt d
isor
ders
L
eave
s
(b)
Ste
am b
ath
C
rush
ed l
eave
s ar
e ap
plie
d to
af
fect
ed
area
s T
isan
e is
giv
en
Ste
am-b
ath
; ti
san
e
(a)
Cru
shed
. S
oak
ed c
otto
n
is
appl
ied
(b)
Dec
octi
on
is g
argl
ed
(c)
Dry
lea
ves
in s
alt
are
rubb
ed
on
gum
s T
isan
e
Ala
mi
et a
l. (1
974)
A
lam
i et
al.
(197
4)
P
TA
BL
E
1 (C
ontin
ued)
z
Bot
anic
al
nam
e an
d fa
mil
y M
edic
inal
u
se
Pla
nt
part
P
repa
rati
on/a
dmin
istr
atio
n
Ref
eren
ce
Ip
Cor
ydot
hym
us
capi
tatu
s (L
.)
Rei
chen
b.
i=)T
hym
us
capi
tatu
s
Satu
reja
th
ymbr
a L
.
Mic
rom
eria
fr
utic
osa
(L.)
D
ruce
Mic
orm
eria
m
yrtif
olia
In
dige
stio
n
Boi
ss.
et H
ohen
. H
eada
ches
Indi
gest
ion
, co
lds,
co
ugh
s,
gen
eral
ton
ic
Hea
rt d
isor
ders
S
wel
lin
gs a
nd
drop
s In
dige
stio
n
Loc
al
para
lysi
s
Hea
t di
sord
ers
Sw
elli
ngs
an
d dr
opsy
C
ough
s an
d co
lds
Indi
gest
ion
L
axat
ive
Ext
ern
al w
oun
ds
Indi
gest
ion
C
ough
s an
d co
lds
Hea
rt d
isor
ders
an
d h
igh
blo
od
pres
sure
E
xter
nal
wou
nds
Gen
eral
ton
ic
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Tis
ane
tak
en a
s a
tea
Fri
edm
an
(196
6)
Tis
ane.
Tak
en a
s n
eede
d D
ecoc
tion
. U
sed
as a
dri
nk
for
40
day
s T
isan
e
Ste
am-b
ath
. T
reat
men
t is
giv
en
for
a du
rati
on
of a
mon
th
Tis
ane
A c
ompr
ess
is m
ade
for
exte
rnal
ap
plic
atio
n
Tis
ane
Tis
ane
Con
cen
trat
ed
tisa
ne
wit
h s
uga
r
(a)
Oil
pre
ssed
fro
m
leav
es i
s sp
read
(b
) B
anda
ge s
oak
ed
in l
eaf
extr
act
is a
ppli
ed
Tii
ane
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
Tis
ane
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
Tis
ane
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
Pou
ltic
e is
mad
e w
ith
lea
f ex
trac
t an
d ap
plie
d to
aff
ecte
d ar
ea
Tis
ane
Tis
ane
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
Tis
ane
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
Bai
ley
and
Dan
in
(198
1)
Ria
ni
(196
3)
Zai
tsch
ek
and
Lev
onti
n
(197
2)
Res
hef
(1
965)
Salu
ia
frut
icos
u M
ill.
(=
S.
trilo
ba
L.)
SO
LA
NA
CE
AE
Sola
num
ni
grum
L
.
Lu
ng
diso
rder
s L
eave
s N
ervo
us
anxi
ety
Lea
ves
Indi
gest
ion
L
eave
s C
ough
s an
d co
lds
Lea
ves
Hea
rt d
isor
ders
L
eave
s
Ext
ern
al w
oun
ds
Lea
ves
Ext
ern
al
wou
nds
L
eave
s
Fru
its
Too
thac
he
Fru
its
Sw
elli
ng
Ext
ern
al p
ain
s an
d ac
hes
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
CO
MPO
SIT
AE
Var
them
ia
iphi
onoi
des
Boi
ss.
et B
i. In
dige
stio
n
and
hea
dach
es
Car
min
ativ
e B
ody
ach
es
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Ext
ern
al w
oun
ds
Le&
Vf%
S
Dec
o&io
n
wit
h R
uta
c~
alep
e~is
T
isan
e is
tak
en a
s n
eede
d
Tis
ane
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
Tis
ane
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
Ste
am-b
ath
T
isan
e C
rush
ed l
eave
s, f
resh
, or
ch
ewed
ar
e ap
plie
d on w
oun
ds
and
cuts
Har
euve
ni
(193
0)
Zai
tsch
ek
and
Lev
onti
n
(197
2)
Ria
ni
(196
3)
(a)
Cru
shed
lea
ves
are
appl
ied
on
wou
nds
H
artw
ell
(196
7-19
71)
(b)
Ash
of
burn
t le
aves
app
lied
on
w
oun
d (c
) C
ook
ed
leav
es o
n w
oun
d (d
) Ju
ice
pres
sed
from
L
eave
s is
appl
ied
Boi
led
wit
h b
utt
erm
ilk
an
d sp
read
on
wou
nd
(a)
Coo
ked
fr
uit
s ar
e ap
plie
d to
too
th
(b)
Cu
t fr
uit
s ar
e st
eam
ed
and
the
stea
m i
s in
hal
ed
Cru
shed
, co
oked
w
ith
bu
tter
mil
k
and
appl
ied
to a
ffec
ted
area
C
rush
ed l
eave
s ar
e m
assa
ged
on
affe
cted
ar
eas
(a)
Tis
ane.
Tak
en a
s n
eede
d (b
) C
rush
ed l
eave
s so
aked
in
wat
er.
Eat
en a
s su
ch a
fter
foo
d po
ison
ing
(a)
Tii
ane
(b)
Ste
am b
ath
F
resh
, w
hol
e or
cu
t, a
ppli
ed
to
wou
nd
Das
tur
(197
0)
Lev
y (1
978
1
Fri
edm
an
(196
6)
H
TA
BL
E
1 (C
onti
nued
)
Bot
anic
al
nam
e an
d fa
mil
y M
edic
inal
u
se
Pla
nt
part
P
repa
rati
on/a
dmin
istr
atio
n
Ref
eren
ce
Zn
ula
vis
cosa
(L
.)
Ait
. F
emal
e st
eril
ity
Rh
eum
atic
pa
ins
Bro
ken
bon
e di
sord
er.
To
soft
en
bon
es
Har
d sk
in a
nd
war
ts o
n f
oot
Gen
eral
ton
ic
and
mu
scle
sp
asm
s E
xter
nal
ope
n
wou
nds
Loc
al
para
lysi
s
Too
thac
he
and
oral
hyg
ien
e
Mat
rica
ria
aure
a (L
oefl
.)
Sch
. B
ip.
Sto
mac
h
ach
es
Eye
in
flam
mat
ion
C
ough
s an
d co
lds
Too
thac
hes
an
d gu
m i
nfe
ctio
ns
Her
b
Her
b H
erb
(a)
Ste
am b
ath
. W
oman
is
seat
ed
abov
e st
eam
, 3
days
aft
er c
opu
lati
on
(b)
Gro
un
d le
aves
app
lied
th
rou
gh
anu
s S
team
-bat
h
and
inh
alat
ion
T
zizi
k
(195
2)
(a)
Lam
b fa
t co
oked
w
ith
lea
ves
Cu
lpep
er
(165
2)
is a
ppli
ed
on b
one
befo
re
seco
nd
brea
kin
g L
eave
s
Lea
ves
(b)
Pla
ce o
f in
jury
is
soft
ened
w
ith
Z
nu
Za v
apor
s
Lea
ves
(a)
Stu
ffed
le
aves
in
sh
oe.
Juic
e is
pr
esse
d an
d co
vers
foo
t (b
) S
team
-bat
h
Ste
am-b
ath
w
ith
Eu
cali
ptu
s an
d P
ista
cia
lenf
iscu
s le
aves
Lea
ves
Oil
Infl
ores
cen
ce
(a)
Fre
sh.
App
lied
to
wou
nd
(b)
Dri
ed p
owde
r is
app
lied
(c
) Ju
ice
of p
ress
ed l
eave
s is
use
d (a
) E
xtra
cted
fr
om
boil
ed
leav
es,
appl
ied
dire
ctly
(b
) S
team
bat
h w
ith
lea
ves
of
Sal
via
frui
fico
sa
(a)
Dec
octi
on,
yell
ow,
is g
argl
ed
(b)
Inh
alat
ion
of
Znu
la l
eave
s bo
iled
in
wat
er
Flo
wer
hea
ds
Tin
e.
Tak
en a
s n
eede
d C
ulp
eper
(1
652)
F
ried
man
(1
966)
Hea
rt t
onic
A
nal
gesi
c
Dia
bet
es
Ext
ern
al
wou
nd
s
Flow
erh
ead
s
Lea
ves
Lea
ves
Cru
shed
in
oli
ve o
il,
spre
ad o
n
affe
cted
ar
ea
Tis
ane.
Tak
en a
s n
eed
ed
Cru
shed
. U
sed
as
a p
oult
ice
LIL
IAC
EA
E
Asp
hode
lus
mic
roca
rpus
S
alzm
. et
Viv
. S
kin
ecz
ema
bli
ster
s an
d
cuts
Tu
ber
-roo
ts
Juic
e is
sq
uee
zed
ou
t an
d a
pp
lied
to
aff
ecte
d
area
H
areu
ven
i (1
930)
Urg
inea
m
arit
ima
(L.)
Bak
.
Rus
cus
acul
eatu
s L
.
Ext
ern
al
wou
nd
s in
hea
d a
nd
b
rok
en
bon
es
Hem
orrh
oid
s
Eid
ney
st
ones
1
Bu
lb
Bu
lb
Roo
t
Cru
shed
bu
lb w
ith
oil
is
spre
ad
on a
ffec
ted
ar
ea
Cru
sh b
ulb
is
app
lied
to
rect
um
Dec
octi
on
is t
aken
as
nee
ded
A
bou
-Ch
aar
and
Ad
es
(196
1)
Gri
eve
(197
4)
308
tion, and no exchange takes place between healers in the same village. Often plants are imported from the home-town of the healer. This is true in the case of the Druze who have moved to the Carmel, and the Bedouins who have migrated to the Galilee.
Most of the medicinal plants are known to the different ethnic groups, although in slightly different applications. However, plants such as Taurus nobilis, Myrtus communis, Ceterach officinarum and Ruscus aculeatus are used mainly by the Druze and much less by other groups.
The doctrine of signatures is reflected in some of the uses: e.g. the yellow decoction obtained from leaves of Rhamnus alaternus and the yellowish juices from fruits of Ecbalium elaterium. are used for jaundice. Seeds with kidney shape are used for kidney-stones - Alhagi maurorum and Astragalus macrocarpus.
Sometimes the plant’s common name (in Arabic) refers to its use. Such is the case for Glaucium oxylobum, Hype&urn lanuginosum, Marcurialis annua and Ceterach officinarum. All four plants are called “The wound’s herb”, since they are used for external wounds.
As expected in such a survey, most medical uses are known in the litera- ture. The exchange of peoples and cultures between the Middle East, Europe and the Far East has brought with it exchange of information, so that a given plant is used similarly in all these areas, e.g. Ammi uisnaga for kidney stones; Matricaria aurea for stomach aches; Malva nicaensis for wounds.
A widely used herb will often have an additional local variation. Examples are: Teucrium polium for stomach aches and as a baby-pacifer; Myrtus communis for children’s skin irritations; Cyclamen persicum for open wounds.
More important and less common are original uses with endemic plants. such as: Micromeria fruticosa, Varthemia iphionoides, Paronychia argentea and Polygonum equisitiforme.
On the other hand, some very well known native medicinal plants are rarely used here in spite of a wide use in the Middle East and Europe. Examples are: Mellisa officinalis, Verbena officinalis, Mandragora officinalis and Marrubium vulgare.
In conclusion, it can be said that herbal healing in Israel is a mixture of traditions from Greece and Rome, the Middle-East and India and reflects the dynamics of different civilizations moving across this part of the world throughout history. Herbal medicine has declined rapidly especially in the last two generations, and thus it was of prime importance to document the evidence that still exists.
References
Abou-Chaar, C.I. and Ades, J. (1961) Medicinal plants of Lebanon. Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research 4, 153-157.
Alami, R., Macksad, A. and El-Gindy, A.R. (1974) Medicinal Plants of Kuwait. Ministry of Health.
309
Al Rawi, A. and Chakravarty, ILL. (1964) Medicinal Plants of Iraq. Ministry of Agri- culture Tech. Bull. No. 146, Baghdad.
Bailey, Y. and Danin, A. (1981) Bedouin plant utilization in Sinai and the Negev. Economic Botany 35,145-162.
Campbell-Thompson, A. (1949) A Dictionary of Assyrian Botany, The British Academy, London.
Chopra, I.C., Abrol, B.K. and Handa, R.L. (1960) Medicinal plants of the arid zones, I: With particular reference to the botanical aspect. Arid Zone Research 13, l-56 (UNESCO, Paris).
Chopra, R.W., Nayar, S.L. and Chopra, I.C. (1956) Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Crowfoot, G.M. and Baldensperger, L. (1932) From Cedar to Hyssop, The Sheldon Press, London.
Culpeper, N. (1652) Complete Herbal, London. Dafni, A. (1980) Plant Folklore in Zsmel, Gestlit, Haifa (in Hebrew). Dastur, J.F. (1970) Medicinal Plants of India and Pakistan, 3rd edn., D.B. Taraporevala
Sons & Co. Private Ltd., Bombay, 212 pp. Fahmy, I.R. (1956) The medicinal plants of the Middle East. Lebanese Pharmaceutical
Journal 4,12-56. Fahmy, I.R. (1963) Drug plants of Egypt. Planta Medica 11,202-224. Fluck, H. (1976) Medicinal Plants, W. Foulsham and Co. Books (translated from German
by J.M. Rowson). Friedman, A. (1966) Folk medicine of the Eastern Jews in the Galilee, M.Sc. Thesis,
School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (in Hebrew). Githens, I.S. (1948) Drug Plants of Africa, University of Pennsylvania Press, The Uni-
versity Museum, Philadelphia. Grieve, M. (1974) A Modern Herbal, Dover Publ., New York. Gunther, R. (1968) Greek Herbal of Dioscorides, Hafner Publ., London. Hareuveni, A. (1930) Medicinal and magic plants of the Arabs in Israel. Harefua 4, 113-
127 (in Hebrew). Hareuveni, E. (1938) Hamaror ve’hamerorim. Le shonenu 9, 263-279 (in Hebrew). Hartwell, J.L. (1967-1971) Plants used against cancer. A survey. Lloydia 30, 395, 407;
31, 142;32, 28,94,95, 168, 278, 292,33, 144,34, 113, 234, 328. Hooper, D. (1937) Useful Plants and Drugs of Iran and Iraq. Field Museum of Natural
History, Publ. 387, Chicago. Jain, S.K. (1968) Medicinal Plants, National Book Trust, New Delhi, 178~. Jansen, P.C.N. (1981) Spices, condiments and medicinalplants in Ethiopia their taxo-
nomy and agricultural significance. Centre for Agricultural Publishing and Documenta- tion, Wageningen.
Kohen, A. (1935) Wild plants used by people. Teua Va’aretz 3, 217-218 (in Hebrew). Levey, M. (1966) The Medical Formulary or Agmbdhin of Al-Kindi The University of
Wisconsin Press, Madison. Levey, M. and Khaledy, N. AL. (1967) The Medical Formulatory of ACSamarqandi,
University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia. Levy, S. (1978) Medicine, Hygiene and Health of the Bedouins of South Sinai, Society
for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Tel Aviv (in Hebrew). Morton, J.F. (1978) Major Medicinal Plants: Botany, Culture and Uses. Charles Thomas
Publ., U.S.A. Paris, R. and Dillman, G. (1960) Medicinal plants of the arid zones, II: With particular
reference to the pharmacological aspects. Arid Zone Research 13, 55-96 (UNESCO, Paris).
Reshef, Y. (1965) Comments on an article by Shukari Aref. Teua Va’aretz 7, 177 (in Hebrew).
310
Riani, Y. (1963) Medicinal Drugs of the Yemenite Jews, M.Sc. Thesis School of Pharmacy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (in Hebrew).
Shani (Mishkinsky) J., Joseph, B. and Sulman, F.G. (1976) Fluctuations in the hypo- glycaemic effect of Poterium spinosom L. (Rosaceae). Archives Znternationales de Pharmacodynamie 185, 344-349.
Steimetz, G.F. (1965) Poterium spinosi cortex radicis - a new agent against diabetes. Acta Phytotherapeutica 12, 2-6.
Tzizik, B. (1952) Otrar Hatzmachim. Tzizik Publ., Hertzlia-(in Hebrew). Yaniv, Z., Dafni, A. and Palevitch, D. (1982) Labiatae as medicinal plants in Israel.
In: Margaris, Koedam and Vokou (Eds.), Aromatic Plants, Martinus Nijhof Publishers, The Hague, pp. 265-268.
Zaitschek, D. and Levontin, S. (1972) Further information about essential oils of Labiatae in Israel containing phenols. Harokeah Haivri 14, 284-298 (in Hebrew).
Zohary, M. (1966,1972) Flora Palaestina, The Israeli Academy of Science and Humani- ties, Goldberg’s Press, Jerusalem.
