J. Bio. & Env. Sci.

2015
Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)
ISSN: 2220-6663 (Print) 2222-3045 (Online)
Vol. 6, No. 3, p. 381-400, 2015
http://www.innspub.net
RESEARCH PAPER

OPEN ACCESS

Ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants in the central

mountains (North-South) in Jordan

Sawsan AS Oran*, Dawud MH Al-Eisawi
Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Jordan, 11942 Amman-Jordan

Article published on March 28, 2015

Key words: Ethnobotany, Medicinal plants, Mountains, Jordan.

Abstract
An ethnobotanical survey for the wild medicinal plants in the central high mountains extending from northern to
central Jordan has been carried out. A special questionnaire is prepared to test for the medicinal uses of the local
wild medicinal plants in the study area. The information such as the Arabic local name, parts used for medication,
methods of preparation, purpose of use, doses and any other remarks, were all collected from direct contact visits
to local people by the researchers of this study. The total numbers of recorded species in all the study sites are 108
species belonging to 33 families. The families Asteraceae and Lamiaceae have recorded the highest species of
medicinal plants. A number of 25 plants species were found to be more frequently used by the local people in the
studied areas, 38 species were found to be used more occasionally than the remaining 22 species. Visits for the
available herbalists shops in the study area were made for all the sites of the study area. The age range of the
questioned sample of the people who were interviewed was ranging between 40-65- years old. It is learned from
the study that the use of wild medicinal plants is highly recommended and still practiced by the majority of local
people in the study area. It has been observed that the study area is very rich in medicinal plants, where some
species are becoming degraded and over cultivated. The knowledge of using wild herbs in traditional folk
medicine is basically more common among the elderly rather than the young generation in most of the visited
domestic areas. However, the use of medicinal plants by the locals are causing great declining of the diversity of
many plant species growing in all sites visited by the authors.
*Corresponding

Author: Sawsan AS Oran oransaw@ju.edu.jo

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J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

Introduction

in the urban areas and the Badia area (Desert of

Ethnobotany is interdisciplinary science in a position

Jordan). Medicinal plants in Jordan are representing

to contribute much to plant conservation. This

20% of the total flora. 363 species of medicinal

includes a precise understanding of local social

vascular plants were recorded in Jordan (Oran & Al-

dynamics, institutions, and different values attributed

Eisawi, 1998). The recent status of medicinal plants in

to resources. These values may be symbolic, religious,

Jordan with regards to its diversity, use by local

or political for a given society whilst the same plant

people in folk medicine and the currently research

resources represent only an economic value for other

that is taking place to test for their biological

societies.

potentials is explained by (Oran, 2014); The use of

medicinal plants in the high mountains of northern

Ethnobotany

is

science

Jordan and their diversity has been recorded by

encompassing botany, anthropology, economics, and

(Oran & Al-Eisawi, 2014). A study prepared by (Al-

linguistics, which studies the ways in which a society

Eisawi, 2015), evaluated the diversity of the medicinal

relates to its environment. It investigates and

plants in Mujib Biosphere Reserve, a number of 148

evaluates the knowledge of all phases of life amongst

plants species were recorded in the reserve. Many

primitive societies and of the vegetal environment

studies were carried out globally with regards to the

upon the life customs, believes and history of these

ethnobotanical knowledge (Jordan et al., 2006) listed

tribal people. It also tackled the relationship between

the vascular plants that are utilized by the plains

the cultural societies and medicinal plants of a

Apache in southwestern Oklahoma USA. Comparative

specific potential. These relationships can be social,

food ethnobotanical study in West bank (Palestine)

economic

which was concentrated on the edible wild herbs in

symbolic,

multi-disciplinary

religious,

commercial

and

artistic.

west bank (Shtayeh et al., 2007); an ethnobotanical

survey of herbal markets and medicinal plants in

The role of ethnobotanists is to bring a larger

Lagos

perspective, whilst remaining open about how the

(Olowokudejo et al., 2008). An ethnobotanical study

knowledge recorded will be used in the future. It is

about medicinal plants of Poonch valley Azad

important

the

Kashmir was carried out by (Khan et al., 2012;

communities at every steps of the research process.

Choudhary et al., 2008), reviewed the work that has

With this respect efforts are made to document and

been done so far in the ethnobotany of Rajsthan

integrate indigenous knowledge about land use,

(India). The ethnobotanical survey of medicinal

vegetation and forest management, non-timber forest

plants for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in north

products, medicinal plants, agro-forestry, home-

western region of Nigeria was carried out by (Etuk et

gardens, and biodiversity.

al., 2010). 34 plant species were reported or cited by

that

results

are

shared

with

state

of

Nigeria

was

carried

out

by

the herbalist for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Ethnobotanical approaches enable the establishments

An ethnobotanical survey of folklore plants for

of close dialogue and communication with local

treatment of Jaundice and snakebites in India was

people, and may ultimately facilitate the elaboration

carried out by (Thirumalai et al., 2010).

of management plans which ensure participation by

local people and a void having adverse impacts on

Another ethnobotanical survey was carried out for

their life and their environment (Cunningham, 2001).

medicinal plants used to treat gastrointestinal

disorders in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, 26

In Jordan the knowledge and practice of MP is

plant species were found to be commonly used in the

inherited from predecessors since ages and still

treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal disorders.

adopted by a large number of population especially,

Similar study on the ethnobotanical survey of some

382 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

medicinal plants used in traditional health care in

(L.) DC. Bidens pilosa L. Launaea taraxacifolia

Abeokuta areas of Ogum State, Nigeria has been

Willd] in southern and central Benin in Africa by

conducted by (Erinoso et al., 2012). A number of 58

(Sanoussi et al., 2015).

plant species were found to be useful in the treatment

of various ailments such as asthma, cough, yellow

The

aim

of

this

study

is

to

investigate

an

fever, tuberculosis, measles, malaria, ringworm, boil,

ethnobotanical survey of the medicinal plants in the

eczema, typhoid and diabetes. Ethnobotanical survey

central mountains of Jordan, using a

of medicinal plants of Tswapong North in eastern

questionnaire that has been prepared, and filled by

Botswana revealed a wealth of traditional knowledge

the etnobotanical data for the use of medicinal plants

on uses of medicinal plants in the study area. Another

in folk medicine by the local people of the study area.

simple

ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by

traditional healers of Adilabad district Andhra

Materials and methods

Pradesh, India was carried out by (Lingaiah et al.,

The study area

2013). In the Mediterranean sub-region in Turkey

In this survey the local people in the studied areas

(Akaydin et al., 2013), carried out an ethnobotanical

were participated in the following geographical areas:

survey in selected towns in Turkey, in that study uses

of 88 plant taxa were documented; another survey for

1. Wadi As Sir district west of Amman and Salkhada

the medicinal plants used by herbalists in Lebanon,

in Bader Al-Jadida suburb west of Amman, central

was conducted by (Deeb et al., 2013), in an attempt to

Jordan

study the ethnobotanical status in Lebanon, the data

2. Wadi Al-Azraq, Al-Fuhais municipality, west of

based on 26 local herbalists and the study revealed

Amman, central Jordan

that 128 plants species are used for treatment of

3. Dair Yousuf village / Irbid district, northern

various diseases, his study also concluded that most

Jordan

interviewed herbalists did not hold even a high school

4. Jald, Salt district, central Jordan

certificate and they were not licensed for practicing

5. Rmaimeen / Salt district, central Jordan

folk herbal prescriptions.

6. Um Al-Amad, Jerash district, northern Jordan

7. Dibbeen, Jerash district, northern Jordan

Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in

curing some diseases in infants in Abeokuta south

All sites were investigated about the local Arabic

local government area of Ogum state, Nigeria carried

names of the medicinal plants in their geographical

out by (Shosan et al., 2014) and the results of this

area, applications and utilization of MPs in traditional

study showed that 63 plant species are used to treat

medicine,

cold, malaria, fontanel, diarrhea, typhoid, chicken

questionnaire in every site of the study which was

pox, measles, and small pox. Ethnobotanical survey of

conducted in the central mountains of Jordan. In

medicinal plants used in the traditional treatment of

order to test for the medicinal potential of the local

viral infections in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria has been

knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses by the

carried out by (Ohemu et al., 2014). They recorded 62

native people in folk medicine, a questionnaire was

plant species that are used for different viral

prepared for this purpose Table 1.

doses

given

for

each

plant

using

infections. The recipes for the treatment of viral

infections were also reported. (Chauhan et al., 2014),

2. A simple Questionnaire was prepared as shown in

has published a paper on the ethnobotanical survey in

table 1.

Pabbar valley, distt. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh in

The questions addressed to the locals about the local

India. The ethnobotanical investigation of three

Arabic names in the visited area, uses, the part used,

traditional leafy vegetables [Alternanthera sessilis

the purpose of use, method of preparation, number

383 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

and duration or doses (not always known), and any
other needed remarks.

Results
The results of the information related to the scientific

Table 1. Showing the questionnaire used for the

names of the medicinal plants in the studied areas,

ethnobotanical survey.

such as, Arabic local, parts used, methods of

No of
Variables
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.

Variables

Answers

Age
Marital Status
Education
Occupation
Name of the region, town,
village etc.
Do you use herbal and
medicinal plants (Yes/No)
Local name of the medicinal
plants
Scientific name of the plant
Use of the plant
Method of use
Decoction
Boiled
Fresh (eaten or chewing)
Doses per day or per week
Length of the period used
Remarks

Ten people were questioned about their knowledge of

the medicinal plants in their area. Their age ranges
between 30 and 60 year olds. The medicinal plants
that they were able to recognize and information of
their medicinal value are few.

remarks, are documented in tables 2-8.

More than twenty different herbal shops spreading
within the various governorate of the study area,
Amman, Salt, Jerash, Ajloun and Irbid were visited.
The herbal content of the shops was looked at to
identify the plants, and to look at the type, quality,
and sources of the herbs. The herbs found in these
shops are listed in table 12. The total number of
recorded species in all study sites and the number of
species in each family are shown in table 9. The
recorded families and the number of species
belonging to each family are presented in table 10.
The highest species recorded in families with more
than two species is recorded in Fig. 1, and the most
recorded species in the seven studied sites are shown
in Fig. 2.
The

results

shown

are

the

ethnobotanical

investigations in the different geographical sites of the

Data also collected about the name of the user gender,

age, social status, education, profession, and name of
the geographical area Table 1.
I.

preparation, purpose of use, doses and any other

study area, the sites studied were:

1. Salkhada area, Bader Al-Jadeda, and Wadi As-Sir,
West of Amman, central Jordan

The ethnobotanical results of the medicinal

plants surveyed in the studied area are shown in
table 2-11

Local people from Bader area were questioned, most

of them were farmers and middle age (30-50), as the
area is urbanized (farms).

II. The families with the highest number of

medicinal plants are shown in fig. 1.

All of them agreed on the names of the plants used in

folk medicine. The name of the plant, (Arabic), the

III. The most recorded species in the seven studied

sites are shown in fig. 2.

part used, medicinal purpose, method of preparation

are all listed in table 3. It is concluded here that not
all of the medicinal plants are known or used by the

IV. The plant species that are deposited in the

people of this area (Table 2).

herbalists shops are recorded in table 12.

384 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

Table 2. Showing ethno-botanical plant species used by people in Wadi As-Sir, West of Amman, central Jordan
West Amman (Study area one).
Scientific
Name (Latin)
Rhus coriaria
Bifora
testiculata
Tordylium
aegyptiaca
Bifora
testiculata
Cyclamen
persicum
Varthemia
iphionoides
Centaurea
Iberica
Cichorium
pumilum
Dittrichia
viscosa
Ecballium
elaterium
Capparis
spinosa

Family

Arabic
Name

Anacardiaceae

Apiaceae

Apiaceae

Apiaceae

Primulaceae

Asteraceae

Asteraceae

Asteraceae

Asteraceae

Asteraceae

Capparaceae

Paronychia
Caryophyllaceae
argentea
Ceratonia
Fabaceae
siliqua
Tetragonolobus
Fabaceae
palaestinus

Part
Used

Method of Purpose of
Doses/day Remarks
Preparation
Use
Cold
Flower
beverage,
AntiWhen
buds,
blast, direct
microbial ,
Common
needed
fruits
application ulcers, burns
on the skin
SedativeWhen
Seeds Hot beverage
Common
stomach pain
needed
Nutritional
When
Growing
Fruits
fresh
value
needed
season
Sedative,
Fruits
decoction
1
Very common
stomach pain
Washing
Direct
Growing
Rhizome
heads as anti1-2
application
season
dandruff
All parts
Stomach
Hot beverage
2-3
Common
ailments
Nutritional
When
Growing
Leaves
fresh
value
available
season
Antiseptic,
Roots,
Boiling, hot
When
Growing
anti-diabetic,
flowers
beverage
necessary
season
eczema
Boiling, hot
Tumors,
Flowers
3
Very common
beverage
chronic cough
Direct
Jaundice
Juice
few drops
Toxic
application
treatment
Flower
Diuretic,
Growing
buds,
Boiling
2
antiseptic
season
roots
Kidney stones 1 before
All parts Hot beverage
Common
ailments
eating
Cold or hot
Pod
Cough
3
Very common
beverage
Nutritional
When
Pod
Fresh
Not common
source
available
Cough, lung
Flowers Cold beverage
troubles,
1-2
Very common
expectorant
Antidiuretic
Green
Hot beverage
healing
1
Common
parts
wounds
When
Leaves Hot beverage Stomach pain
Common
needed
Stomach and
When
leaves
decoction
intestinal
Common
needed
pain

Lonicera
etrusca

Fabaceae

Retama raetam

Fabaceae

Teucrium
polium

Lamiaceae

Ballota
undulata

Lamiaceae

)(

Origanum
syriacum

Lamiaceae

Asparagus
aphylla

Liliaceae

Asphodelus
aestivus

Liliaceae

Leaves

Olea europaea

Oleaceae

Leaves

Papaveraceae

Seeds

Papaver
subpiriforme

Leaves

Decoction

Stomach pain

Common

Roots

Decoction

Kidney
stones,
headache

Not known by
most

Growing
season

Common

Recommended
by most

Sedative
for rheumatic
pain
Hypertension,
Hot
antidiabetic,
antidiuretic
Chest pains,
Hot beverage
cough
Decoction

385 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

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Scientific
Name (Latin)

Family

Ziziphus lotus

Rhamnaceae

Sarcopoterium
spinosum

Rosaceae

Punica
granatum

Rosaceae

Mandragora
autumnalis

Solanaceae

Arabic
Name

Part
Used

Method of Purpose of
Doses/day Remarks
Preparation
Use
Cough and
Fruits
Edible
2-3
Well known
measles

Boiling, hot
Sedative,
Roots
1
Very common

beverage
antidiabetic
Grinding and
Growing
Seeds, mixing with
Antidiuretic
season as well

fruit honey to treat

3
and jaundice
as dry fruit
coat
diarrhea and
leathery skin
used for ulcer
Can be eaten
at maturity,

Sedative, and
Leaves Hot beverage
1
but is highly

cough
Toxic when
green

2. Wadi Al-Azraq, Al-Fuhais municipality, West of Amman, central Jordan

Table 3. Showing ethno-botanical plant species used by people in study area in locality Wadi Al-Azraq, AlFuhais, West of Amman, central Jordan (Study area two).
Scientific
Name (Latin)
Foeniculum
vulgare

Family

Arabic
Name

Part
Used

Apiaceae

Leaves

Apocynaceae

Leaves,
bark

Arum
palaestinum

Araceae

Leaves

Varthemia
iphionoides

Asteraceae

Leaves

Chrysanthemum
coronarium

Asteraceae

Flowers

Dittrichia
viscosa

Asteraceae

Leaves

Matricaria
aurea

Asteraceae

Whole
plant

Anchusa
strigosa

Boraginaceae

Roots

Cappasis
spinosa

Capparaceae

Leaves,
flowers

Origanum
syriacum

Caryophyllaceae

Leaves

Paronychia
argentea

Caryophyllaceae

Whole
plant

Euphorbiaceae

Latex
(juice)

Nerium
oleander

Euphorbia
hierosolymitana

Method of Purpose
Doses/Day Remarks
Preparation of Use
Abdominal
Hot beverage
1
Very common
pain, cough
AntiDirect extract syphilitic,
1
Toxic
application
rat
poisoning
AntiHot beverage
2
Toxic
tumorous
Stomach
and
When
Hot beverage abdominal
Very common
needed
pain and
headache
Abdominal
Hot beverage
1
Common
pain
Cough and
Hot beverage chest pains,
Highly
not to be
arthritis
1-4
recommended
boiled
pains
sedative
Abdominal
Hot beverage and cough
2-3
Very common
sedative
Wounds
Direct
healer and
2
Common
application
dermal
ulcers
Stomach
Hot beverage
1
Common
wash
Stomach
and
When
Hot beverage abdominal
hypertensive
needed
pain- salad
garnish
Kidney
Very popular
Hot beverage
3
stones
medicine
Applied
Direct
Warts
directly from
1/ week
application
treatment
fresh plants in
the field

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J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

Scientific
Name (Latin)
Medicago
arabica
Ceratonia
siliqua

Family

Arabic
Name

Fabaceae

Fabaceae

Part
Used
Whole
plant
Pods

Method of Purpose
Preparation of Use
AntiHot beverage
diabetic
Hot beverage

Retama raetam

Fabaceae

Whole
plant

Extraction
cold, direct
application,
cold beverage
for diarrhea

Ficus carica

Fagaceae

Latex
(juice)

Direct
application

Salvia triloba

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Hot beverage,

Mentha
longifolia

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Hot beverage

Thymus
capitatus

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Hot beverage

Salix babylonica

Salicaceae

Leaves

Hot beverage

Doses/Day

Remarks

Common

When
needed

Very common

Very common

Fresh
application

When
needed

Hypertensive

2-3

Hypotensive

Very common

Well known
by most

cough
Roots antidiuretic,
branches
wound
healer and
eye
troubles
Foot fleshy
warts
Stomach
and
abdominal
pain relieve
Stomach
and
intestinal
pain
Abdominal
pain and
cough
Leprosy

3. Dair Yusuf village, Irbid district, Northern Jordan,

Ten persons were questioned. (30-65) years old. The following medicinal plants were known and recognized by
the majority.
Table 4. Showing ethno-botanical plant species used by people in Dair Yusuf, Irbid, Northern Jordan (Study
area three).
Scientific
Name
(Latin)
Phagnalon
rupestre

Family

Arabic Part Method of

Purpose of Use Doses/Day
Name Used Preparation
Whole
plant

Asteraceae

Leaves

Achillea
santolina

Asteraceae

Whole
Hot beverage
plant

Anthemis
palaestinum

Asteraceae

Flower

Cold and hot

beverage

Matricaria
aurea

Asteraceae

Whole
Hot beverage
plant

Anchusa
strigosa

Boraginaceae

Roots

Ononis
natrix

Fabaceae

Roots,
flowers

Teucrium
polium

Lamiaceae

leaves

Scrophularia
Scrophulariaceae Roots
xanthoglossa

Remarks

Knees pain
sedative

Rap

Very common

antispasmodic

2-3

Very popular
drug in the
country

Cough treatment

Cough and
antispasmodic

Powder, roots Wounds, burns and

grinded
Tuberculosis
Roots diuretic,
Decoction flowers depurative,
flowers for eczema
Stomach and
Hot beverage abdominal pain,
antidiabetic
Root is mixed
with olive oil
Knee pain
and black
seeds

387 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

2- 3,when
needed
3-4

Very common
Common herb
medicine,
very mild
drink
Successfully
tested

Highly
recommended

2-3

Antimicrobial,
anti-diabetic

Successfully
tested in this
area

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

Scientific
Name
(Latin)

Family

Arabic Part Method of

Purpose of Use Doses/Day
Name Used Preparation

Leaves,
Verbascum
Scrophulariaceae
fruticosum
roots

Boiling

Anti-diabetic, antipoison

Remarks
Hairs of the
plant are
dangerous to
the eyes

4. Jald Salt North West of Amman, central Jordan

Ten people were questioned: some plants are known to the people of 50-65 years old.
Table 5. Showing ethno-botanical plant species used by people in Jald Salt North West of Amman, central
Jordan (Study area four).
Scientific
Name
(Latin)
Pistacia
palaestina

Family
Anacardiaceae

Foeniculum
vulgare

Apiaceae

Arum
palaestinum

Araceae

Eminium
spiculatum
Achillea
santolina
Ecballium
elaterium
Matricaria
aurea
Phagnalon
rupestre

Araceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae

Varthemia
iphionoides

Asteraceae

Sinapis alba

Brassicaceae

Cappais
spinosa

Capparaceae

Paronychia
Caryophyllaceae
argentea

Arabic
Name

Part
Used

Method of
Preparation

Purpose of
Use

Oil or the
Direct
Antispasmodic Twice a day
resin
application
Leaves
Chest and back

and
Hot beverage
1
pain relive
branches

Mixed with
Leaves,

onion and Anti-tumorous

1
corms
salt

Juice
Powder
Anti-tumorous
1-2

Cold or hot
Stomach and
flower
1

antispasmodic
Jaundice,
Direct
Juice
epilepsy and
Few drops
application
headache
Flowers, Cold or hot
Abdominal

1-2
branches
beverage
pain
Leaves,
Joints pain and
When

Dry roll
flowers
cauterize
needed
Cold
beverage,
Abdominal
Leaves
2-3
extraction or
pain
decoction
Leaves
and
Eat fresh and
When

Vitamin source
green
cooked
available
branches
When

Roots Hot beverage For arthritis

having pain

Whole
plant

Decoction

Kidney stones

For hay fever,

cold, cough
and bronchitis
Wound
healing,
Hot beverage
eczema
treatment as
Cold or hot
Abdominal
beverage
pain

Ephedra
aphylla

Ephedraceae

Ononis
natrix

Fabaceae

Roots

Lamiaceae

leaves

Lamiaceae

leaves

Hot beverage

For nausea

leaves

Cold or hot
beverage

Abdominal
pain,
antispasmodic

Mentha
longifolia
Micromeria
nervosa
Salvia triloba

Lamiaceae

Doses/Day

All parts,
Cold beverage
branches

388 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

Remarks
Well known
Rarely known
Well known
and used by
many
Common
Very common
Highly toxic
Well known
Very common
Very common

Common
Common

Very common
and highly
recommended

Well known

When
needed

Very common

1-2

Well known

Well known

3 -4

Very much
applied

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

Scientific
Name
(Latin)

Family

Arabic
Name

Teucrium
polium

Lamiaceae

Thymus
capitatus

Lamiaceae

Alcea setosa

Malvaceae

Plumbago
europaea

Plumbaginaceae

Sarcopoterim
spinosum

Rosaceae

Part
Used

Method of
Preparation

Purpose of
Use

Doses/Day

Remarks

3-4

Very common

1-3

Well known

Common

When
needed

Very well
known

Every day 2
times

Very common
and highly
recommended

Abdominal
pain, antidiabetic
Expectorant
Leaves Hot beverage Antispasmodic,
cough
Hot beverage
Cough and
Flowers
or cold
chest pain
Leprosy
Whole
Powder
treatment as
plant
rap
Leaves

Hot beverage

All plants Hot beverage

Anti-diabetic,
anticoagulant

5. Rmaimeen / Salt district, central Jordan

Table 6. Showing ethno-botanical plant species used by people in Rmaimeen / Salt district, central Jordan
(Study area five).
Scientific
Arabic
Family
Name (Latin)
Name
Pistacia
Anacardiaceae ) (
palaestina

Bongardia
Apocynaceae
chrysogonum

Arum
Araceae

palaestinum

Part
Used
Resin

Method of
Preparation
Oral, mixed
with animal gee

Purpose of
Use

Doses/Day Remarks

Cough

1-2

Common

Roots

Boiled

Anti-tumorous,
stomach pain

Common

Leaves

Decoction

Anti-tumorous

Very
common

Achillea
santolina

Asteraceae

Flowers

Hot beverage

2-3

Very
common

Phagnalon
rupestre

Asteraceae

Hot beverage

Knee pain,
abdominal pain

When
needed

Very
common

Cistus
salviifolius

Leaves
and floral
parts

Abdominal
pain, antidiuretics

Cistaceae

Flowers

Boiled

Cough, tracheal
ailments

1-2

Common

Micromeria
nervosa

Lamiaceae

All parts

Hot beverage

Nausea

When
necessary

Very
common

Thymus
capitatus

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Hot beverage

Cough,
antispasmodic

Very
common

6. Um Al-Amad, Jerash district, Northern Jordan

Table 7. Showing ethno-botanical plant species used by people in Um Al-Amad, Jerash district, Northern
Jordan (Study area six).
Scientific
Name
(Latin)
Pistacia
atlantica
Arum
palaestinum
Anthemis
palaestinum

Method of
Purpose of
Doses/
Preparatio
Use
Day
n
Mixed with
Cough, asthma
2
animal gee

Family

Arabic
Name

Part
Used

Anacardiaceae

Resin

Araceae

Leaves

Boiled

Flowers

Mixed with
olive oil, left
under sun
shine one
week

Asteraceae

Remarks
Common

Anti-tumorous

Very common

Arthritis,
diabetics

2-3

Common

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Scientific
Name
(Latin)

Family

Arabic
Name

Part
Used

Matricaria
aurea

Asteraceae

All parts

Capparis
spinosa

Capparaceae

Roots

Mixed with
honey and
olive oil

Calycotome
villosa

Fabaceae

Whole
plant

Flowers are
dried and
powdered

Quercus
coccifera

Fagaceae

Fruit

Boiled

Thymus
capitatus

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Hot
beverage

Salvia triloba

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Hot
beverage

Teucrium
polium

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Boiled

Plumbaginaceae

Leaves

Polygonaceae

Leaves

Anemone
coronaria

Ranunculaceae

Whole
plant

Reseda lutea

Resedaceae

All parts

Urtica
pilulens

Urticaceae

Whole
plant

Plumbago
europaea
Rumex
pulcher

Method of
Purpose of
Preparatio
Use
n
Cough,
Hot
abdominal
beverage
pain

Doses/
Day

Remarks

3-4

Very common

Back and
joints pain

1-2

Very common

Animal fat
flavoring

When
needed

Common

Common

3-4

Very common

Very common

3-4

Very common

Treatment of
uncontrolled
urination
Cough,
abdominal
pain
Abdominal
pain
Antidiabetic,
abdominal
pain

Fresh
grinding
Cooked as
pies

Leprosy
Anorexia

Boiling with Asthma, knee

olive leaves
pain
Wound
Hot
healing,
hypertension
Boiling with
Pistachio
Anti-diabetic
gum

1 every
week
Growing
season

Very common
Common

1-2

Common

Highly
recommended

Very common

7. Dibbeen, Jerash district, Northern Jordan

Table 8. Showing ethno-botanical plant species used by people in study Dibbeen, Jerash district, Northern
Jordan (Study area seven).
Scientific
Name
(Latin)

Family

Ajuga chia

Lamiaceae

Dittrichia
viscosa

Asteraceae

Teucrium
polium

Arabic
Name

Part Used

Method of Purpose of
Doses/Day Remarks
Preparation
Use

All parts

Rap

Wounds

Common

Leaves

Hot beverage

Ant diabetic,
for 40 days

Very
common

Lamiaceae

Leaves

Hot beverage

Cold, colic
pain

2-4

Very
common

Paronychia
argentea

Caryophyllaceae

All parts

Hot beverage

Anti-diabetic,
kidney stones

Very
common

Fumana
parviflora

Fumaricaceae

Leaves,
flowers

Boiled

Flowers for
eczema,

Common

Arum
palaestinum

Araceae

Leaves

Boiled

Antitumorous

Very
common

Leontice
leontopetalum

Leonticaceae

Leaves

Grinding

Antitumorous

Common

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Table 9. Showing the total number (No.) of recorded species in all study sites and the no of species in each
family.
No of species in each family

Anacardiaceae

Pistacia atlantica

Rerecorded species
1.

Anacardiaceae

Pistacia palaestina

2.

Anacardiaceae

Pistacia palaestina

3.

Anacardiaceae

Rhus coriaria

4.

Apiaceae

Bifora testiculata

5.

Apiaceae

Bifora testiculata

6.

Apiaceae

Foeniculum vulgare

7.

Apiaceae

Foeniculum vulgare

8.

Apiaceae

Tordylium aegyptiaca

9.

Apocynaceae

Bongardia chrysogonum

10.

Apocynaceae

Nerium oleander

11.

Araceae

Arum palaestinum

12.

Araceae

Arum palaestinum

13.

Araceae

Arum palaestinum

14.

Araceae

Arum palaestinum

15.

Araceae

Arum palaestinum

16.

Araceae

Eminium spiculatum

17.

Asteraceae

Achillea santolina

18.

Asteraceae

Achillea santolina

19.

Asteraceae

Achillea santolina

20.

Asteraceae

Anthemis palaestinum

21.

Asteraceae

Anthemis palaestinum

22.

Asteraceae

Centaurea iberica

23.

Asteraceae

Chrysanthemum coronarium

24.

Asteraceae

Cichorium pumilum

25.

Asteraceae

Dittrechia viscosa

26.

Asteraceae

Dittrichia viscosa

27.

Asteraceae

Dittrichia viscosa

28.

Asteraceae

Matricaria aurea

29.

Asteraceae

Matricaria aurea

30.

Asteraceae

Matricaria aurea

31.

Asteraceae

Matricaria aurea

32.

Asteraceae

Phagnalon rupestre

33.

Asteraceae

Phagnalon rupestre

34.

Asteraceae

Phagnalon rupestre

35.

Asteraceae

Varthemia iphionoides

36.

Asteraceae

Varthemia iphionoides

37.

Asteraceae

Varthemia iphionoides

38.

Boraginaceae

Anchusa strigosa

39.

Boraginaceae

Anchusa strigosa

40.

21

Families

Species

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No of species in each family
1

Families
Brassicaceae

Species
Sinapis alba

Rerecorded species
41.

Capparaceae

Cappais spinosa

42.

Capparaceae

Capparis spinosa

43.

Capparaceae

Capparis spinosa

44.

Capparaceae

Cappasis spinosa

45.

Caprifoliaceae

Lonicera etrusca

46.

Caryophyllaceae

Paronychia argentea

47.

Caryophyllaceae

Paronychia argentea

48.

Caryophyllaceae

Paronychia argentea

49.

Caryophyllaceae

Paronychia argentea

50.

Cistaceae

Cistus salviifolius

51.

Cistaceae

Fumana parviflora

52.

Cucurbitacaeae

Ecballium elaterium

53.

Cucurbitaceae

Ecballium elaterium

54.

Ephedraceae

Ephedra aphylla

55.

Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia hierosolymitana

11

Fabaceae

Calycotome villosa

56.
57.

Fabaceae

Ceratonia siliqua

58.

Fabaceae

Ceratonia siliqua

59.

Fabaceae

Medicago arabica

60.

Fabaceae

Ononis natrix

61.

Fabaceae

Ononis natrix

62.

Fabaceae

Retama raetam

63.

Fabaceae

Retama raetam

64.

Fabaceae

Tetragonolobus palaestinus

65.

Fagaceae

Ficus carica

66.

Fagaceae

Quercus coccifera

67.

Lamiaceae

Ajuga chia

68.

Lamiaceae

Ballota undulata

69.

Lamiaceae

Mentha longifolia

70.

Lamiaceae

Mentha longifolia

71.

Lamiaceae

Micromeria nervosa

72.

Lamiaceae

Micromeria nervosa

73.

Lamiaceae

Origanum syriacum

74.

Lamiaceae

Origanum syriacum

75.

Lamiaceae

Salvia triloba

76.

Lamiaceae

Salvia triloba

77.

Lamiaceae

Salvia triloba

78.

Lamiaceae

Teucrium polium

79.

Lamiaceae

Teucrium polium

80.

Lamiaceae

Teucrium polium

81.

Lamiaceae

Teucrium polium

82.

2
2

20

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No of species in each family

Families
Lamiaceae

Species
Teucrium polium

Rerecorded species
83.

Lamiaceae

Thymus capitatus

84.

Lamiaceae

Thymus capitatus

85.

Lamiaceae

Thymus capitatus

86.

Lamiaceae

Thymus capitatus

87.

Leonticaceae

Leontice leontopetalum

88.

Liliaceae

Asparagus aphylla

89.

Liliaceae

Asphodelus aestivus

90.

Malvaceae

Alcea setosa

91.

Oleaceae

Olea europaea

92.

Papaveraceae

Papaver subpiriforme

93.

Plumbaginaceae

Plumbago europaea

94.

Plumbaginaceae

Plumbago europaea

95.

Plumbaginaceae

Plumbago europea

96.

Polygonaceae

Rumex pulcher

97.

Primulaceae

Cyclamen persicum

98.

Ranunculaceae

Anemone coronaria

99.

Resedaceae

Reseda lutea

100.

Rhamnaceae

Ziziphus lotus

101.

Rosaceae

Punica granatum

102.

Rosaceae

Sarcopoterium spinosum

103.

Rosaceae

Sarcopoterium spinosum

104.

Salicaceae

Salix babylonica

105.

Scrophulariaceae

Scrophularia xanthoglossa

106.

Scrophulariaceae

Verbascum fruticosum

107.

Solanaceae

Mandragora autumnalis

108.

Urticaceae

Urtica pilulens

109.

Table 10. Showing the recorded families and the number (No) of species belonging to each family. Notice final
families in the side rows 3&4 with more than two species.
1. Families
Asteraceae
Lamiaceae
Fabaceae
Araceae
Apiaceae
Anacardiaceae
Capparaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Plumbaginaceae
Rosaceae
Boraginaceae
Cistaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Fagaceae
Liliaceae
Apocynaceae

2. No. of Species in
each family
21
20
9
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1

3. Families with highest

Sp. No.
Asteraceae
Lamiaceae
Fabaceae
Araceae
Apiaceae
Anacardiaceae
Capparaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Plumbaginaceae
Rosaceae
Boraginaceae
Cistaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Fagaceae
Liliaceae

393 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

4. Species No.
21
20
9
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
2
2
2
2
2

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

2. No. of Species in
each family
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1. Families
Apocynaceae
Brassicaceae
Caprifoliaceae
Ephedraceae
Euphorbiaceae
Leonticaceae
Malvaceae
Oleaceae
Papaveraceae
Polygonaceae
Primulaceae
Ranunculaceae
Resedaceae
Rhamnaceae
Salicaceae
Scrophulariaceae
Solanaceae
Urticaceae

3. Families with highest

Sp. No.

4. Species No.

Bifora testiculata

29

Ceratonia siliqua

29

Ecballium elaterium

29

Foeniculum vulgare

29

Mentha longifolia

29

Micromeria nervosa

29

Ononis natrix

29

Origanum syriacum

29

Pistacia palaestina

29

Fig. 1. Showing the highest species recorded in

Retama raetam

29

families with more than two species.

Sarcopoterium spinosum

29

Table 11. Showing species occurrence in in the study

areas (z) and their ratios (z/7*100). Only species
occurring in two or more of study sites are
considered.
Arum palaestinum

71

Teucrium polium

71

Cappais spinosa

57

Matricaria aurea

57

Paronychia argentea

57

Thymus capitatus

57

Achillea santolina

43

Dittrichia viscosa

43

Phagnalon rupestre

43

Plumbago europaea

43

Salvia triloba

43

Varthemia iphionoides

43

Anchusa strigosa

29

Anthemis palaestinum

29

Fig. 2. showing the most recorded species in 7 sites.

Herbalists Visits
More than twenty different herbal shops spreading
within the various governorate of the study area,
Amman, Salt, Jerash, Ajloun and Irbid were visited.
The herbal content of the shops was looked at to
identify the plants, and to look at the type, quality,
and sources of the herbs.

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Various aspects of herbal and medicinal plants were

variable pack sizes are either produced locally or

investigated through direct or in direct asking the

imported from Syria, India, China or other countries.

owners of such shops. The questions were rather

simple and proposed in a friendly way to avoid

Education of the People Working in These Shops

offending the people who are selling such products.

Indirect asking or even from speaking with the owner

The answers and recorded remarks are summarized

one can tell what is the level of education those

and found to fall under the following categories.

people. It becomes clearer if one behaves more

friendly and asking them about some scientific

1. Quality of the herbal shops

knowledge regarding the plants, they become even

2. Packing of the herbal products

more frank when you tell them that you are doing a

3. Education of the people working in these shops

scientific investigation, and then they start asking

4. Their ability to know the scientific names

back, who are you and where you are working? If they

5. Their proper knowledge of plant uses and doses

know that, you are working at the university and you

6. Source of these herbs

do not belong to the Ministry of Health or Food

7. Types of the herbs found in most of the shops

Department, then they tend to speak more freely.

8. Types of the plant parts preserved

9. Quality of herbal plants

The education level of most people in this trade is

10. Trade size in the market?

mostly less than high school on average. Again, most

of those people are young generation and do not have

Quality of the Herbal Shops

the traditional experience one would expect. It is just

Herbal shops are found to belong to two simple

a market and they are selling the most popular herbs

categories:

that

people

are

purchasing,

especially,

Zatar,

(Thyme), Sana Mekka (Senna), Jada (Teucrium) and

i.

Specialized herbal shops that are selling herb

products,

ii.

incense,

spices

and

Carkadeh (Roselle).

sometimes

including perfumes.

Ability to Know the Scientific Names

None specialized shops who are selling herbs in

Since the education of the owners of herbal shops is

addition to normal grocery products.

rather limited, then it was very unlikely to know

scientific names or even common English names.

Packing of the Herbal Products

Packing of herbal products was found in most cases to

Proper Knowledge of Plant Uses and Doses

be of a very simple type. Cloth bags (Sacs) filled with

As for the use of the plants and their experience about

herbs which are arranged at the entrance of the

their effect, they will just say this is a very well-known

shops. Small seeds, powders or crushed material are

plant; everybody is buying it for this purpose.

found in plastic, metal buckets, or square wooden

Moreover, they stress on the fact, that you just take it

containers. In other case, plastic, or glass, jars are

and if you dont like it bring it back. Of course, no

used to put the products. In more well organized

body would come back, since the price paid in most

shops a series of wooden or metal drawers are made

cases is not worth coming back and spending the time

at the back or one sides of the shop in a rack like

and effort.

system. Sometimes labels are put on these containers

and often they are with no labels.

Regarding the doses, nothing is documented in a

proper way. If you just ask about the use of certain

In some cases, new products such as herbal tea bags

plants, they will say take a little and boil in water and

are found in the shops as well new products of

drink. They cannot precisely tell how often, one

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J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

should use the plant, what is the proper amount one

although a local species Rheum palaestinum occurs

should take? How long should the extract is kept

in Jordan.

boiling? For example, they say take alfalfa seeds boil

in water and drink for reducing diabetes. They cannot

Types of the Plant Parts Preserved

give how many grams and in how much water one

The plants presents in most shops are found in the

should boil? And for how long period one should use

following form:

the plant? They say boil the seeds, drink, put the

i. Whole plant

excess in the refrigerator, and keep going like this.

ii. Coarsely crushed plants (most common)

iii. Leaves

Type and Source of Herbal Plants

iv. Fragments of roots

The source of the plants available in these shops is

v. Seeds

variable:

vi. Fruits

i. Jordanian Plant

Quality of Herbal Plants

Some of the plants are growing locally in Jordan

The quality of medicinal plants is not really in good

under local condition especially, the plant species of:

condition or clean due to the fact that they contain

Paronychia argentea (Rijl Al-Hamameh), Artemisia

fragments of other plant parts or dirt. The stored

herba-alba

fragrantissima

plants have neither expiry date nor any information

(Qaisoom), Artemisia judaica (Baitharan), Artemisia

about the date of collection or purchase or packing.

arborescens

(Sheeh),
(Thagn

Achillea

Origanum

Often they are left in the open air to collect dust,

syriacum (Zatar), Thymus capitatus (Zatar Farsi),

smoke, odors, or even beetles eating cellulose, or feces

Teucrium

of small rodents such as mice or others. Sometimes

polium

Ash-Shaikh).
(Jadah).

Salvia

triloba

(Maramieh).

the plant parts especially, Paronychia, Artemisia,

Achillea and others are mixed with wild plant

ii. Imported plants

particles especially, hay, and grass fragments.

Such plants are imported from different countries

such as Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Sudan, India, China or

What is the size of this trade in the market?

others. Some of the example herbs imported from

There are no actual estimates of the size of the herb

Syria and Lebanon are Both Origanum syriacum and

market in terms of money per year or consumed

Salvia triloba, since the local production in not

amount per year. As far as it looks, there is a great

enough for the local consumption especially, if we

demand for herbal plants in the market because;

know that a huge amount of Origanum syriacum is

herbal shops are ever increasing, since this business is

used as a spicy morning dish eaten with hot bread

becoming more popular than previous times. This

and olive oil or made as pastry called (Manageesh,

part of information should be studied carefully and

Maneesh). In addition, seeds such as Pimpinella

thoroughly. If the Ministry of Health in association

anisum (anise, aniseed Yansoon), Nigella sativa

with Ministry of Agriculture or other governmental

(Black seed, Nigella or Habet al-Barakeh), and

departments are conducting such a study, there will

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel). Other plants are

be always a hidden part related to private dealing

imported from Egypt especially, Anthemis camomile

with some villagers or Bedouins who can collect

(Camomile), Ammi visnaga (Khelleh). In Jordan, one

medicinal plants and sell them privately.

of the major imported medicinal plants from Sudan

or India is Cassia italica, (Senna) and Hibiscus

The kinds of plant species observed in the herbal shop

sabdariffa (Roselle, Karkadeh), Rheum officinale

are listed in Table 12.

roots (Rubarb, Rubbas or Atrafan) are also imported

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Table 12. Showing most common medicinal plants found in herbal shops.
No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19. 1
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.

Scientific name
Ammi visnaga
Apium graveolens
Coriandrum sativum
Cuminum cyminum
Daucus carota subsp. maxima
Ferula blanchei
Foeniculum vulgare
Pimpinella anisum
Arum hygrophyllum
Sambucus nigra
Achillea fragrantissima
Achillea santolina
Anthemis camomile
Artemisia herba-alba
Artemisia judaica
Matricaria aurea
Lepidium sativum
Sinapis alba
Paronychia argentea
Juniperus phoenicea
Ricinus communis
Alhagi maurorum
Cassis italica
Ceratonia siliqua
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Lupinus termis
Medicago sativa
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Crocus sativa
Mentha piperita
Micromeria nervosa
Origanum syriacum
Salvia triloba
Teucrium polium
Thymus capitatus
Laurus nobilis
Allium sativum
Lausonia inermis
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Ficus carica
Rheum officinalis
Rheum palaestinum
Nigella sativa
Ziziphus spina-christi
Crataegus aronia
Crataegus azarolus
Ruta chalepensis
Urtica pilulifera

Family
Apiaceae
Apiaceae
Apiaceae
Apiaceae
Apiaceae
Apiaceae
Apiaceae
Apiaceae
Araceae
Araliaceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Asteraceae
Brassicaceae
Brassicaceae
Caryophyllaceae
Cupressaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Fabaceae
Iridaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Lamiaceae
Lauraceae
Liliaceae
Lythraceae
Malvaceae
Moraceae
Polygonaceae
Polygonaceae
Ranunculaceae
Rhamnaceae
Rosaceae
Rosaceae
Rutaceae
Urticaceae

Arabic name

The results of this study showed that the highest

Discussion

families with medicinal plants in the study area were

This ethnobotanical study is providing a source of

Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Apiaceae,

taxonomical data about the wild medicinal plants in

whereas the families of Apocynaceae, Cistaceae,

the central mountains of Jordan and their medicinal

Fagaceae, Liliaceae, Rosaceae and Scrophulariaceae

values as applied by the local people in folk medicine.

showed lower number of medicinal plants as shown

Moreover it reflects the richness of plant biodiversity

in Fig. 1.

of the study area, particularly the wild medicinal

plants, which are used by the native populations
through history for a long period of time in the

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treatment of diseases as alternative medicine. The use

4. Most of the investigated areas were people living

of different plant species for the treatment of various

nearby their farms or house or serving in farms or

ailments looks similar in the different sites of the

shepherd boys.

study area as shown in tables 3-11. A remarkable

5. The knowledge of the local medicinal plants is not

observation in this study showed the ignorance of the

as expected, the people are seems ignorant about the

young generation about the identity and the use of

majority of their native medicinal plants.

these medicinal plants in treating diseases, on the

6. The use of native medicinal plants in the different

contrary

with

sites are used and practiced more or less similarly by

applications of local medicinal plants in traditional

the

eldest

were

very

familiar

locals in most sites of the study area Jerash, Zai,

medicine. The study revealed a number of 47 families

Dibeen, Rmamea, Ajloun, Irbid, Amman (Bader),

of vascular flowering plants, with redundancy of

Fuhais and Mahis).

similar species in the different studied sites, with

7. The local Arabic names of the MPs are largely

some plant species that showed highest occurrence in

similar in all the studied, examples are:

other sites as shown in Fig. 1 and 2.

Ononis is called wasba, Lubaid in all the sites, with

similar uses.

However the most recorded species in the seven study

Paronychia is called Rijl Al-Hamamah in all the

sites sequentially were Arum palestinum, Teucrium

sites with similar uses.

polium,

Plumbago is called Khamshah in the all sites with

Capparis

spinosa,

Matricaria

aurea,

Paronychia argentea, Thymus capitatus, Achillea

similar uses.

santolins, Dittricha viscosa, Phagnalon rupestre,

Varthemia is called Chetailah in all the sites

Plumbago europaea, Salvia triloba, Varthemia

except in Al-Fuhais, it is also called Hendedeh.

iphinoides, Anchusa strigosa, Anthemis palaestina,

8. Most of the medicinal plants used by the locals in

Bifora testiculata, Ceratonia siliqua, Ecballium

all of the study sites are used as decoction or boiled in

elaterium, Foeniculum vulgare, Mentha longifolia,

water.

Micromeria nervosa, Ononis natrix. Origanum

9. The MPs that are used by the locals in the

syriacum, Pistacia atlantica, Retama raetam, and

different sites of the study area are used mainly for

sarcopoterium spinosum as shown in Fig. 2.

pain relief or for microbial infections, respiratory

ailments and cancer.

Conclusion
It is learned from the present ethnobotanical

Based on this survey, it was found that the use of

investigation in the different sites of the study area,

medicinal herbs in folk medicine is declining in most

and from the participation of the local community in

of the investigated areas. Some reasons are to be

most of the study sites and the direct communication

considered as follows:

with local communities and visits took place to all

a) Degradation of the wild plants resources including

mentioned sites, the following facts:

the MP.
b) Grazing.

1. Most of the people questioned were of age range

c) Urbanization.

between 40-60 (few were young shepherd boys)

d) Road construction.

2. The absence of very old age sample of people (Men

e) Forest destructions.

or Women).

f) Lack of elderly people in most of the study

3. The isolation of citizens (inhabitants) living

localities, hence the youth are comprising the large

closely to the study area.

number of the population.

g) Lack of public awareness or knowledge about
medicinal plants, the people kept saying in every visit

398 | Oran and Al-Eisawi

J. Bio. & Env. Sci. 2015

to

the

study

sites:

Our

grandfathers

and

health care in Abeokuta areas of Ogum State, Nigeria.

grandmothers used to know much more than us!

African Journal of Pharmacy and pharmacology,

h) The use of medicinal plants by the locals are

6(18), 1353-1362.

causing great declining of the diversity of many

species

growing

in

all

sites

visited

by

the

investigators.

Etuk EU. 2010. Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal

i) The medicinal plants that were seen in the

Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus in

herbalist shops are mostly imported from different

North Western Region of Nigeria. Asian Journal of

parts of the world. Although the herbalists claimed

Biological Sciences. 1(1), 55-59.

the opposite, however, it is advised to deal carefully

with such herbs and about the exact identity and use.

Jordan J, Elisens W, Thomas R. 2006. Vascular

plants utilized by the plains Apache in southwestern

Acknowledgment

Oklahoma, publications of the Oklahoma Biological

The authors are highly indebted to the University of

Survey, 2nd Series, 7, 24-33.

Jordan for offering a sabbatical year to USA. Thanks

for Washington University in Saint. Louis, Missouri

Khan MA, Ajab M, Mujtaba G, Hussain M.

and to the Missouri Botanical Garden for the

2012. Ethnobotanical study about medicinal plants of

technical support and facilitating our mission.

Poonch valley Azad Kashmir. The Journal of Animal

& Plant Sciences, 22(2), 493-500.

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