Commonly Used Medicinal Plants In Arab-Islamic Medicine (2/4)

Ammi visnaga, khella, has traditionally been used to treat respiratory system diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and whooping cough, as well as cardiovascular disorders, premenstrual syndrome, liver and gallbladder disorders, and to stimulate diuresis. Its purported effect is related to its antispasmodic action on smaller bronchial muscles, coronary arteries, and urinary tract tubules. A. visnaga may vasodilate the coronary arteries, which increases the blood supply to the myocardium, and as a result, can be used to treat mild forms of angina. It is also used to treat problems associated with spasms and constriction of the gallbladder and bile duct and facilitates discharge of kidney stones and gallstones.

Silybum marianum, milk thistle, is currently the most scientifically well-investigated medicinal plant in the treatment of liver disease. It has a long history of use in the Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine as well as in the European folk medicine as a liver tonic and in the treatment of chronic or acute liver disease, as well as protecting the liver against toxicity.

Origanum majorana, sweet marjoram, is used as a sedative. Marjoram eases stiff joints and muscle spasms, including tics, excessive coughing, menstrual cramps, and headaches (especially migraines). It also slightly lowers high blood pressure. Testing has shown it to be one of the most effective fragrances in relaxing brain waves. As a result, it makes excellent calming massage oil, delightful when combined with the softer lavender. It has specific properties that fight the viruses and bacteria responsible for colds, flu, or laryngitis. In healing salves and creams, it also soothes burns, bruises, and inflammation. O. majorana is also an antioxidant that naturally preserves food.

Inula viscosa, tayun, has been regarded for centuries as one of the most effective medicinal plants in the Mediterranean region. I. viscosa is traditionally used to treat infections, inflammations, fever, and external skin irritations. It is also effective in wound healing. The roots are used against cough and catarrh, as an antiseptic and expectorant, which loosens phlegm and supports mucus membranes.

Portulaca oleracea, purslane, is traditionally used in the treatment of a variety of conditions that include headache, painful urination, stomach ache, enteritis, mastitis, lack of milk flow in nursing mothers, and for postpartum bleeding. Externally, it is used to treat burns, earache, ulcers, pruritis (itching skin), insect stings, inflammations, skin sores, eczema, and abscesses. These conditions are usually treated with the fresh herb used as a poultice or the expressed juice is used. Psoralens as repigmenting agents for vitiligo were described as early as 1400 BC. The Indian sacred book Atharva Veda mentioned the effect of the plant on skin color.

Majorana syriaca, Palestinian thyme, is considered one of the most popular herbs in the Arab world. It is traditionally used to treat asthma, congestion, rheumatism, sore throats, wounds, ulcers, and tumors. A combination of M. syriaca dried leaves, salt, sesame seeds, and the fruits of the tree Rhus coriaria are called “Zaatar” in Arabic, a very popular mixture that is used almost daily in the Middle East as a food, additive in salads and spice for pastry, and meat. With its high content of volatile oils, the herb leaves are used in Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine as herbal tea to treat cold, flu, and cough.

Eruca sativa, rucola, is traditionally considered as a general tonic and potent aphrodisiac. It is known generally as a food, in which the leaves are eaten as part of salads. It has been known as a garden vegetable since Biblical Times, and there are many records of its household usage from the Hellenistic period onwards. It finds widespread use in Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine. These include antibacterial action (for eye infections), increasing fertility and sperm production, as an aid to digestion, and kidney function. Ibn Wahsiyya is quoted as stating that the ground seeds when mixed in a cream and spread on the face can be used for treatment of acne.

Cichorium intybus, wild chicory, is a well-known food and medicinal herb. It is mentioned in most of the major herb books of the Western world. It is used both in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. It is used much like dandelion in European herbal medicine. That is, it is helpful in cleaning the body and supporting the liver and also in stimulating the eliminative processes both via the intestine and the kidneys. It is a warming and tonifying plant, and the fresh root is used traditionally in chest problems and cold conditions. The plant is classically used in cold countries as part of soup to ward off colds and flu. Professional herbalists also use the plant as part of mixtures for the treatment of dry coughs, chest pain and bronchial problems. Arabic traditional healers today regard chicory as part of a combined treatment of metabolic problems, and a medicine to cleanse the body, and treat colds and flu.

Cyperus rotundus, nut-grass, roots are used in Ayurvedic medicine as an infusion or as a soup for fever, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, vomiting, and cholera. Fresh tubers are applied on the breast in the form of paste or plaster as galactagogue. Paste is applied to scorpion stings and when dried, to spreading ulcers. In Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine, the root is a diuretic, emmenagogue, diaphoretic, anthelmintic, vulnerary, and useful for ulcers and sores, fevers, and dyspepsia.

Sarcopoterium spinosum, thorny burnet, is used in Greco-Arab medicine for its antidiabetic properties. The plant is also used to treat stomachaches, toothache, gingivitis, oliguria, external inflammation, and as a tranquilizer.

Allium sativum, garlic and onion (Allium cepa L.) are used both as a food and for medicinal applications. Garlic has been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Sanskrit records mention its medicinal use about 5000 years ago, and it has been used for at least 3000 years in Chinese medicine. The Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans used garlic for healing purposes. Garlic and onion are rich sources of several phytonutrients recognized as important elements of the Mediterranean diet, but are also used in the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases, including cancer, coronary heart disease, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes type 2, hypertension, cataract, and disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., colic pain, flatulent colic, and dyspepsia).

Foeniculum vulgare, fennel, is used in Greco-Arab and Islamic medicine as well as in other different medical systems. Fennel is known for its laxative properties. It is also used as a muscle relaxant as well as to treat urinary disorders. In the eastern Mediterranean countries, fennel is used for its therapeutic effects on the gastrointestinal system as a pain reliever as well as for its diuretic properties. Experimental as well as human studies demonstrated that fennel oil had antispasmodic and relaxing effects on smooth muscles.

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