Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Herbs in the Western Region in Syria (Latakia and Tartus)

Abstract

ContextThe use of traditional Arabic medicine (TAM) has spread to treat various diseases in Syria since ancient time. They are cost-effective with fewer side effects and are more suitable for long-term use compared with chemically synthesized medicines.ObjectiveWe conducted ethnobotanical and ethno-medicine research on plants traditionally used to treat various diseases in Western region of Syria. MethodsField surveys were conducted during July 2019-December 2020 to document ethnobotanical information through oral interviews and designed semi-structured questionnaire from local herbalists (Tabib Arabi) and the elderly people and others who were familiar with traditional uses of plants particularly for medicinal. The queries were repeatedly made to increase the reliability of the data, during the field survey of 475 local inhabitants of 70 villages. ResultsIn this research we listed 258 medicinal plants belonging to 83 families in alphabetical order with the parts used and the method of preparation according to their therapeutic use. Of these studied plants, 185 are used to treat digestive disorders, 118 for respiratory diseases, 91 for several skin diseases, 87 for kidney and urinary tract disorders, 78 for diabetes, 18 for nervous system disorders, and a few plants for treatment the other diseases which are commonly spread in study area. The calculated results of medicinal use-value (MUV) showed that Olea europaea L., Origanum syriacum L. was ranked first (MUV= 0.934), while the lowest value was found for Fumana thymifolia (L.) Spach and Cistus creticus L. (MUV= 0.003).ConclusionA large portion of the uses of medicinal plants mentioned in the research are still under study. There is no doubt that its study will provide many new data that could contribute to further pharmacological discoveries by identifying the active ingredients and their mechanism of effect by doing a lot of pharmacological work to confirm the alleged biological activities of these plants.

Traditional Uses, Bioactive Compounds, and Pharmacological Investigations of Calendula arvensis L.: A Comprehensive Review

“…A recent ethnobotanical study conducted by Aslan et al [ 24 ] reported the use of C. arvensis flower decoction as an antifungal by the population of Yaslıca town and Arıkök neighborhood in the Bozova district of Şanlıurfa province (Turkey). In Syria's western region (Tartus and Latakia), the aerial part of C. arvensis was used to treat varicose veins, sore eyes, wounds, sprains, stings, bites, and skin problems [ 72 ].…”

Tanacetum species: Bridging empirical knowledge, phytochemistry, nutritional value, health benefits and clinical evidence

“…Indigenous villagers also used to swallow an infusion from the aboveground parts to heal neurological and venereal conditions, coughs, gastritis, and respiratory tract infections. It is said to have repellent properties against some kinds of ants owing to its aromatic odors ( Khatib et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Species of the genus Tanacetum from the Asteraceae family bears a long history of traditional uses in various fields, including medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, and cuisines. They have been used ethnopharmacologically to treat many health-related conditions such as diabetes, migraine, cholecystitis, dyspepsia, nausea, diarrhea, hypertension, stomach pain and bloating, ringworms, and sexually transmitted diseases, among others ( Molares and Ladio, 2009 ; Bouhlal et al, 2017 ; Ullah et al, 2019 ; Khatib et al, 2021 ).…”

Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Biological, and Nutritional Properties of Genus Crepis—A Review

“…Babc. & Navashin (souraga) are used in Syria as salad, to relieve joint diseases pain, and as an appetiser [48].…”