Abdel Aleem Bello*(1) and Tawfik Al-Boshi(2)
(1). Plant Bilolgy Department, Faculty of Science, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
(2). Renewable Natural Resources and Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: D. Abdel Aleem Bello. E-Mail: abdelaleembello@gmail.com).
Received: 24/09/2018 Accepted: 13/02/2019
Abstract
The medicinal plants were still used in traditional medicine in the city of Aleppo, despite the availability of prescribed chemical drugs, and the documentation of this medical knowledge is very important. The study included identification and classification of 52 imported medicinal plants belonging to 36 plant families, and used in traditional medicine in Aleppo city to treat many diseases and disorders. The samples were collected from the herbalist shops, and the data were collected from the herbalists and from the related references. The list of plants was arranged alphabetically by scientific name, recorded next to each plant, the plant part used, and the uses of each species in traditional medicine. The most representative families were Zingiberaceae and Fabaceae, with 5 plants (9.61%) each, followed by Lauraceae with 3 plants (5.77%). The most vegetative parts used were fruits from 16 plants (30.77%), followed by gums and oils from 8 plants (15.38%), then seeds from 6 plants (11.54%). The most common uses were the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in 27 plants (51.92%), followed by skin and hair, cardiovascular diseases and sexual problems in 10 plants (19.23%) each. Plants were classified according to the source as 22 plants from India (42.31%), 12 from China (23.08%), and 6 from Sudan (11.54%).
Keywords: Medicinal Plants, Traditional Medicine, Herbalists, Scientific classification, Plant family.
Full paper in Arabic: PDF