Ethnomedicinal and ethnoecological evaluation of Salvadora persica L.: A threatened medicinal plant in Arabian Peninsula

Dynamic Chiropractic

M. N. Al-Yemeni¹  Hassan Sher² 

[1] Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia;Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh Saudi Arabia.

关键词: Salvadora persica;    medicinal uses;    products;    threats and conservation importance.;   

DOI  :  10.5897/JMPR10.230

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: MPA Media

【 摘 要 】

An ethno-medicinal survey was conducted in various parts of desert and semi desert ecosystem in Saudi Arabia with the aim to document ethnecological and medicinal value ofSalvadora persica. It has been used by Muslim communities since centuries in traditional system of medicine. It remained a source of income and it is believed to be a type of religious toothbrush plant. The folklore uses, indigenous knowledge of local people, and traditional healers regardingS. persica werecollected by using standard protocol. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded thatS. persicais a multipurpose plant. It is one of the commonly used plants for medicinal purposes as well as due to its ethno-ecological importance. Various parts ofS. persicaare used as: food, fruits, fodder, a source of lipids, gum and resins. In addition, it is also used as a honey bee rearing plant. Its root is regularly used as tooth brush throughout the country. During the current study, it was also noticed thatS. persicais a service provider plant which is grown to provide shelter-belts and windbreaker for agriculture crops. It helps in reclamation of sand dune habitat and saline soil in arid ecosystem of Saudi Arabia.S. Persicais distributed throughout the arid and semi arid ecosystem of Saudi Arabia. However, its population suffers from serious environmental problems such as deforestation, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and unsustainable livelihoods. The study concluded thatS. persicahas high medicinal, economic and ecological values in arid and semiarid ecosystem of Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, its conservation status is highly threatened and detailed ecological study ofS. persicais suggested to conserve its remaining population in Saudi Arabia.

【 授权许可】

Unknown