Vol. 7(34), pp.

2501-2513, 10 September, 2013

DOI: 10.5897/JMPR12.798
ISSN 1996-0875 ©2013 Academic Journals Journal of Medicinal Plants Research
http://www.academicjournals.org/JMPR

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

E-mail: randaeco@gmail.com.
2502 J. Med. Plants Res.
genetic diversity that must not be ignored (Leipzig, 1996).
Medicinal plants play a key role in the development and
advancement of modern studies on biological activities of
substances.
Traditional health care systems using medicinal plants
can be recognized and used as a starting point for the
development of novelties in drugs. The controlled use of
plant substances for medication is believed to be less
toxic compared to that of synthetic products (Chadwick
and Marsh, 1994; Bhat, 1997; Hoareau and DaSilva,
1999; Pieroni et al., 2002).
Scientific documentations on the efficiency and safety
of medicinal plants to cure major health problems in
Saudi Arabia and other Arabic country, however, are still
very limited (Ahmed et al., 1979; Al-Said, 1993; Al-Essa
et al., 1998; Al-Qarawi et al., 2002; Al-Qarawi and Adam,
2003; Ali et al., 2003; Al-Jishi and Abou_Hozaifa, 2003;
EL-Ghazali et al., 2010; Saleh et al., 2011). Considering
that Saudi Arabia is a rich country in terms of its
biodiversity, natural based industry should be a good
base for the future development of the exports of natural
medicines.
Indigenous knowledge (IK) of uses of plants of Saudi
Arabia for the cure of many ailments is ancient and still
available among the tribal and local people and medicinal
healers. These indigenous knowledge and traditional
experiences are disappearing day by day with the
advance of development and modernization. It is
therefore, an urgent need to document these vast stores
of knowledge through ethnobotanical surveys throughout
the kingdom before their disappearance from the
community (Rahman et al., 2003). The present study tries
to document the different uses of local plant species
distributed in Qassim and in the middle part of Saudi
Arabia, to "re-discover” the traces of retained traditional
knowledge to connect this evaluation by sustaining the
biological diversity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The plant species were collected from different sites of Qassim
(Figure 1). Identification of these plant species was done using
standard monographs and their local floras (Migahid, 1996;
Abulfatih, 1984; Collenette, 1985; Chaudhary, 1989, 2000, 2001;
Chaudhary and Jowaid, 1999; Mandaville, 1990; Heemstra et al.,
1990; Rahman et al., 2002a,b). Information concerning traditional
remedies used in folk medical practices was also collected from
different literatures (Mossa et al., 2000; Al-Yahya, 1984; Al-Yahya
et al., 1990; Ageel et al., 1987a,b; Shahina, 1994; Al-Shanwani,
1996; Batanouny, 1999; EL-Ghazali et al., 2010; Saleh et al., 2011).
Open-ended questionnaires (Martin, 1995) were applied separately
for each interviewee (informant). The interviewers were 50 years
old or older; only seven of them were Saudi women. Most of the
interviewers did not receive any (or little) education.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The plant species (Table 2) collected from the different
areas of Unayzah (Figure 1) showed great biodiversity, 1
parasite species (Cuscuta campestris), 5 trees, eight
shrubs, 4 sub-shrubs, 12 perennial herb, and 40 annual
herbs. Besides the great variation, the plant species also
showed great medicinal potential (Table 1). Some of
them were found to be single use plants: Chenopodium
murale (for stomach pain) and Kochia indica (as heart
tonic). Others were recorded as multiuse plants: Capparis
spinosa (52 uses), Beta vulgaris (19 uses), Citrullus
colocynthis (40 uses) and Anethum graveolens (19 uses).
This study is based on the survey of plants’ biodiversity
of different sites over a period of one and half year.
Eighty three species, belonging to 34 plant families, have
been mentioned by interviewers and in different
literatures as medicinal plants (Table 1). Some of these
species have uses other than being medicinal: Adiantum
capillus-veneris as refreshing summer drink; B. vulgaris
as source of sugar; C. murale for making dye; Eleusine
indica for paper manufacture; Acacia farnesiana for
making perfumes and dyes.
Among the plants listed in Tables 1 and 2 as repre-
sented in Figure 2A, B and C , 64 species (77.1% of the
total studied plants) are used for treating ailments of
different digestive system organs (stomach and intestinal
pain, appetizer, emetic). Five species (6%) are used as a
remedy for diabetes; 18 species (21.7%) are used as
diuretic plants; 14 (16.39%) are used for liver and spleen
disorders; 17 (20.5%) are used for rheumatoid and joint
inflammation pain; 9 plants (10.8%) for treating cancer
and tumors; 24 (28.9%) are used for different skin
diseases; 9 plants (10.8%) are used as antimicrobial,
fungicide and insecticide and 19 (22.9%) are used for
sexual diseases.
According to our survey, the practitioners administer
their remedies in the form of standard decoction prepared
by adding hot water on the used plants’ part (roots,
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
administrated orally or externally according to the treated
diseases and preparation method. In Saudi folk traditional
remedy, alcohol is not used as extraction solvent for
religious reasons. However, vinegar may be used
instead, with water as solvent. The description for each
disease varied slightly among practitioners.
The number of times a plant was mentioned is
considered a guide to the extent of its use. The most
widely used plant seemed to be C. spinosa followed in
decreasing order by C. colocynthis, A. graveolens, B.
vulgaris, A. Arabica, Datura fastuosa, Allium sativum, and
Apium graveolens. This study has attempted to record
the data regarding the availability of plant resources
which have various potential uses especially as
traditional remedies. Evaluation of traditional and folk
pharmacopoeias in desert areas is very tedious,
especially in Saudi Arabia.
The interest in new phytopharmaceuticals and
 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-
Decoction, juice, as a garnish on
Fever, cough, diuretic, emmenagouge, hydroxy-29-nor-22-
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, Juice, rubefacient,
Calotropin, calotropagenin,
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
 Youssef 2505

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
vitaminC cooked
increase bile secretion.
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, Decoction, poultice,
Cucurbitacin E, alkaloids,
Citrullus colocynthis antihemolyteic, malaria, antimitotic, Root, seeds, fruits -
fixed oil, albuminoids eaten fresh
antioxidant, antiscorbutic, antiseptic, antitumor,
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 palmitic,
Euphorbia dracunculoides Leaves, fruits 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
branches, young buds and shoots cooked, The
haemostatic, restorative,
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,
Bark, gum, leaves, seeds, potassium Liniment, poultice, ecoction,
mouthwash, astringent,
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-
oils, fats, Decoction, powder,
Albiziatebbeck blindness, astringent, Bark, leaves, seeds, flowers -
sitosterolcyclocucalenol, emollient, ointment, poultice
diarrhoea, dysentery,
gonorrhoea, swelling of ethyllophenol, cyclastenol, B-
cervical glands amyrin, a-tocopherol
Alexipyretic, digestive, Roots, stem, leaves, Decoction, injection, gargle,
Alhagicamelorum tonic, purgative, diuretic, - -
flowers powder
gafeira, catarrah
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,
Roots, leaves, seeds, apin, bergapten, niacin, flavouring,
astrignent, cordial, laxative, stimulant, emmenagouge, anthelimintic,
Anethum graveolens vitamin B6 and A, riboflavin, Decoction perfuming, soaps,
abortifacient, antispasmodic, brochitis, liver and spleen disorder, lumbago, fruits
Umbelliferae thiamine, insecticical
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 - - -

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

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

Family scientific names of plant Medicinal Non medicinal Total Citation

Plant local name Habit
species 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

threatened of losing their natural habitats due to
urbanization at Qassim. This indicates that the natural
plants and especially medicinal ones require preservation
as well as the ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological
knowledge recording.
The preservation of these herbs and of the traditional
knowledge of how to use them is an essential
requirement for maintaining traditional Arabic medicine as
a medicinal and cultural resource.
utilizing many wild plants for their subsistence in spite of
harsh desert conditions. However, adequate experience
and proper handling of herbal medicine requires the
licensing of knowledgeable and professional herbalists
and regulating the procedure of medicinal plant handling,
storage and method of use, to avoid malpractice and
mistreatment.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Conclusion The author thanks Dr. M. Mahmoud (King Saud hospital,

This investigation proved that folk medicine is still
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-
tants still preserve their traditional ecological knowledge
Unaizah), Dr. Saad H. (Wafaa hospital, Unaizah) and Dr.
Ahmed R. (Henof hospital, Riyadh) for their help in the
medical part of the work. Also the author appreciates the
unlimited efforts of Prof. Fathy A. (Faculty of Science,
University of Alexandria) for his help in field trips and
making some of the interviews.
 Number of Medicinal Uses

10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90

0
Acanthaceae
Adiantaceae
Amaranthaceae

A
Apocynaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Boraginaceae
Capparaceae
Chenopodiaceae
Cleomaceae
Compositae
Convolvoulaceae
Cruciferaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Cuscutaceae
Cynomoriaceae
Ehretiaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Frankenaceae
Fumariaceae
Gramineae
Labiatae

Figure 1. Map of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia showing the study area (┼).
Leguminosae
Liliaceae
Lythraceae
Menispermaceae
Moraceae
Nyctaginaceae
Orbanchaceae

Figure 2. Number of medicinal (A), non-medicinal (B) and uses (C) of plant families.
Polygonaceae
Rosaceae
Solanaceae
Tiliaceae
Umbelliferae
Zygophyllaceae
Youssef
2511
 2512

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Number of Total Uses Number Of Non-Medicinal Uses

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18

100

0
20
40
60
80
100
Acanthaceae
Acanthaceae Adiantaceae
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Adiantaceae Amaranthaceae
B

Figure 2. Contd.
Amaranthaceae

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Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Asclepiadaceae
Boraginaceae
Boraginaceae
Capparaceae
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Chenopodiaceae
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Chenopodiaceae
Cleomaceae Cleomaceae
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