An Ethnobotanical uses of Plants in the Middle Area, Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract

The present research work was designed to gather indigenous knowledge of plant species, which are being utilized by the local inhabitants of villages of the middle area of Gaza Strip, Palestine. This is the first study that these villages have been the subject of an ethnobotanical research. Information was gathered through interviews with the population in the study area. A total of 19 plant species belonging to 19 genera and 16 families have been recorded which are being used for treating 23 different diseases/ailments during 2008-2009. Herbs (10 species) were found to be the most used plants, followed by trees (5 species) and shrubs (4 species). The Compositae family contributed the highest number of plant species (3 species), followed by the Solanaceae family (2 species). Mimosaceae, Urticaceae, Cactaceae, Ephorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Malvaceae, Tamaricaceae, Moraceae, Umbelliferae, Rhamnaceae, Caryophllaceae, Thymelaceae, Plantaginaceae and Polygonaceae families contributed one plant species per family. Most of the species (6 spp., 32%) were used for treating skin diseases, followed by urinary system (4 spp., 21%), whereas other 4 species were used for treating digestive system, stomach relieved by 3 species (16%) and inflammation, tooth, kidney stones, nervous system, coughing, respiratory system are treated by 2 species. Among other notable ailments treated by only one plant species are prostate disorders, stop bleeding, back pain, liver diseases, flu, intestine pain, anemia, weight despicable, nervous system, diabetes, blood pressure, wounds and rheumatism. The interviewed informants reported the most widely used medicinal plant species were Urtica spp. treats 9 diseases (39% of total 23 diseases) followed by Paronychia argenta treats 4 diseases (17% of total 23 diseases).

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Advances in Environmental Biology, 5(11): 3681-3687, 2011 ISSN 1995-0756
RTICLEARIGINAL O This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed 
Corresponding Author
Dr. Mohamad Abouauda, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Al-Aqsa University, Gaza,
Palestine.
E-mail: abouauda@hotmail.com
An Ethnobotanical uses of Plants in the Middle Area, Gaza Strip, Palestine
Mohamed Abou Auda
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Al-Aqsa University, Gaza, Palestine.
Mohamed Abou Auda: An Ethnobotanical uses of Plants in the Middle Area, Gaza Strip, Palestine
ABSTRACT
The present research work was designed to gather indigenous knowledge of plant species, which are being
utilized by the local inhabitants of villages of the middle area of Gaza Strip, Palestine. This is the first study that
these villages have been the subject of an ethnobotanical research. Information was gathered through interviews
with the population in the study area. A total of 19 plant species belonging to 19 genera and 16 families have
been recorded which are being used for treating 23 different diseases/ailments during 2008-2009. Herbs (10
species) were found to be the most used plants, followed by trees (5 species) and shrubs (4 species). The
Compositae family contributed the highest number of plant species (3 species), followed by the Solanaceae
family (2 species). Mimosaceae, Urticaceae, Cactaceae, Ephorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Malvaceae, Tamaricaceae,
Moraceae, Umbelliferae, Rhamnaceae, Caryophllaceae, Thymelaceae, Plantaginaceae and Polygonaceae
families contributed one plant species per family. Most of the species (6 spp., 32%) were used for treating skin
diseases, followed by urinary system (4 spp., 21%), whereas other 4 species were used for treating digestive
system, stomach relieved by 3 species (16%) and inflammation, tooth, kidney stones, nervous system, coughing,
respiratory system are treated by 2 species. Among other notable ailments treated by only one plant species are
prostate disorders, stop bleeding, back pain, liver diseases, flu, intestine pain, anemia, weight despicable,
nervous system, diabetes, blood pressure, wounds and rheumatism. The interviewed informants reported the
most widely used medicinal plant species were Urtica spp. treats 9 diseases (39% of total 23 diseases) followed
by Paronychia argenta treats 4 diseases (17% of total 23 diseases).
Key words: Ethno-botany, Medicinal Plants, Gaza, Palestine.
Introduction
Traditional medical knowledge of medicinal
plants and their use by indigenous cultures are not
only useful for conservation of cultural traditions and
biodiversity but also for community healthcare and
drug development in the present and future [25].
Plants have been used in traditional medicine for
several thousand years [1]. The knowledge of
medicinal plants has been accumulated in the course
of many centuries [23].
Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological
research is crucial in the development of drugs from
natural sourses. Obtaining such information is
important because traditional medicinal practices and
medicinal plants have both traditionally and even in
recent times been a good source of modern allopathic
drug [10]. Some examples are the discovery of
cardiotonics in foxglove, salicylic acid in willow
bark, and morphine in poppies [26].
The information obtained on identification,
preparation, clinical use, gathering, and preservation
of medicinal plants dramatically facilitates the search
for new drugs, and the time needed for drug
development programs [18,30]. A recent review has
shown that approximately 25% of modern
medication have been plant derived, while 75% of
new drugs against infectious diseases that have
arrived between 1981 and 2002 originated from
natural sources [6].
Historical surveys have indicated that the eastern
region of the Mediterranean has always been a rich
source of medicinal plants and that indigenous Arab
medicine was a major contributor to the development
of modern medicine in Europe [27].
There is a considerable lack of information on
the number and type of medicinal plants used in
Palestine particularly in Gaza Strip.
The study titled "A contribution to the flora of
Gaza zone[9] is noteworthy to mention that the first
account of the flora of Gaza Strip. This important
study has reported 251 plant species belonging to 46
families. the most represented families were
Leguminosae (41 species 16.3%), Compositae (35
species 13.9%), Gramineae (32 species 12.7%) and
Caryophyllaceae (13 species 5.2%). Seventy-three of
the recorded species in [22] study deals with the
flora of the coastal sand dunes of Gaza Strip have at

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least one aspect of the potential or actual economic
uses, the medicinal (45%), grazing and human food
(18% for each one) are the most common uses, while
timber and ornamental use are less common.
[28] conducted an extensive
ethnopharmacological survey among the most well
known Arabic indigenous practitioners in Israel, the
Golan heights and the West Bank in order to
evaluate the potential of local plants used in treating
different diseases and illnesses. The study revealed
that 129 plant species are still in use in Arabic
traditional medicine for treatments of various
diseases. Furthermore, some 30% of the flora in
Israel, the Golan Heights and the west Bank are
considered rare, and many of these species are
endangered [24,29]. The broad ethnobotany of
different edible plants and folk medicine in West
bank, Palestine were described by[1]. The work
includes other uses by Palestinian in a host of
manners, fresh, cooked and dried, both as foodstuffs
and treatment of diseases and medicinal disorders.
The ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the
year 1998 and reports information on 31 reliable
local Arab practitioners living in Galilee, Negev,
Golan Heights and West Bank was 60 years and the
average years of practice were 20. The study showed
that in many cases, the plant species used by the
traditional practitioners are different from those used
by the academic group, the average knowledge in
identification of plants was good. On average, each
practitioners used 22 different herbs for treating his
patients. Eighteen practitioners collected their plants
only from the wild (mostly from mountains or the
desert), eight from the wild and Attarah shops, four
from Attarah shops only and one healer imported his
herbs. The current study revealed that 129 plant
species are still in use in the Arabic traditional
medicine for the treatment of various diseases. The
main treated diseases were diabetes, liver, digestive,
respiratory, skin, urinary and nervous [5].
Towards getting an initial picture of medicinal
plan usage by the local inhabitants, the objectives of
the present study was to conduct a systematic
ethnobotanical survey of the middle area, Gaza Strip,
Palestine to obtain information on the plant species
and ailments for which they are used.
Material and Methods
The indigenous knowledge of local traditional
people and native plants used for various purposes,
particularly medicinal purposes were collected
during field trips at different villages, refugee camps
and different localities of middle are of Gaza Strip,
Palestine such as Bureij, Nuseirat, Alzahra,
Juhreldeek, Oomalhajar, Alqshash, Talalajoul and
Talasanam during 2008-2009. Ethnobotanical
information was obtained through oral interviews
and designed semi-structured questionnaire from one
hundred local interviewed informants. They were
selected based on their knowledge of medicinal
plants either for self-medication or for treating
others. Sometimes, interviewed informants were
asked to come to field and show the plants with local
names; the species mentioned by the informants
were taxonomically identified. Detailed information
was collected as to plants with their local names,
plant parts or combination of plants used,
formulation of medicines, dosages, or if any single
plant was used to treat multiple ailments, ailments
for which the plants are used, as well as to any
specific plant part used for the ailments concerned.
Standard method was followed with regard to
survey and collection of plant materials from the
study area, drying, mounting preparation and
preservation of plant specimens. Voucher specimens
of all plants, of the study area, in triplicates were
collected, prepared and identified.
Taxonomic determinations and nomenclature
were performed at Biology Department, Faculty of
Science, Al-Aqsa University, with the help of
floristic literature [31,33,13-16,8,9,12]. All the
preserved specimens were deposited at the Biology
Department where no Herbarium unfortunately
established until now.
Results and Discussion
The indigenous knowledge of local traditional
people and native plants used for medicinal purposes
were collected through questionnaire and personal
interviews during field trips. The flora of the study
area provides diverse useful plant species.
The investigation revealed that, the interviewed
informants used 19 species of ethnomedicinal plants
distributed in 19 genera belonging to 16 families.
Herbs (10 species) were found to be the most used
plants, followed by trees (5 species) and shrubs (4
species). The most important families in the
questionnaire information were Compositae (3
species), Solanaceae (2 species). Other families
listed below with only one species: Mimosaceae,
Urticaceae, Cactaceae, Ephorbiaceae, Myrtaceae,
Malvaceae, Tamaricaceae, Moraceae, Umbelliferae,
Rhamnaceae, Caryophllaceae, Thymelaceae,
Plantaginaceae and Polygonaceae.
A total of 19 plant species mentioned from the
interviewed informants used for medicine purposes
(Table 1).
Table 1: Listing of medicinal plants mentioned from interviewed informants of the middle area of Gaza Strip, Palestine. Percentage Ailments Treated Local Name Family Name Botanical Name Serial
Number 37 used for treating coughing and
chest diseases
Papounaj dahapi
Compositae Matricaria aurea (Loefl)
Sch.Bip
1

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23 used for treating wounds Enipaldeep Solanaceae Solanum nigrum L. 2 17 used for treating laxative karoua Euphorbiaceae Ricinus communis L. 3 15 used for treating rheumatism,
nervous system, diabetes, chest
diseases, involuntary urination,
high blood pressure, stones in
kidney, skin diseases and
weight despicable
Kouries Urticaceae Urtica sp. 4
14 used for treating urinary
system inflammation, kidney
stones, prostate disorders and
stomach diseases
Rejelalhamama Caryophyllaceae Paronychia argentea Lam. 5
10 used for treating urinary tract
diseases and back pain
Alkoudap Polygonaceae Polygonum equisetiforme Sm. 6
9 used for treating tooth
diseases, urinary tract diseases,
stop bleeding and involuntary
urination
Wedna Plantaginaceae Plantago coronopus L. 7
7 used for treating flu, skin
diseases and digestive system
inflammation
Shoumarpari Umbelliferae Foeniculum vulgare Mill. 8
5 used for treating nervous
system diseases
Lileel-Adra Compositae Artemisia monosperma Delile 9
4 used for treating skin diseases Alseder Rhamnaceae Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. 10 4 used for treating skin diseases Gianpout Mimosaceae Prosopis farcta (Banks&Sol.)
J.F. Macbr.
11
3 used for treating anaemia, skin
diseases and inflammation
Koupeza Malvaceae Malva parviflora L. 12
3 used for coughing.
Alteenalshwki Cactaceae Opuntia ficus indica (L.) Mill. 13
2 used for treating laxative,
intestine and inflammation.
Kafour Myrtaceae Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Dehn.
14
1 used for treating skin diseases
and laxative
Alteen Moraceae Ficus carica L. 15
1 used for treating stomach
inflammation and liver
diseases
Series-Alleek Compositae Cichorium endivia L. 16
1 used for treating stomach ulcer Ousaj Solanaceae Lycium schweinfurthii Dammer. 17 1 used for treating tooth
inflammation
Ethel-Terfa Tamaricaceae Tamarix nilotica (Ehrenb.)
Bunge
18
1 used for treating nervous
system
Metnan Thymelaeaceae Thymelaea hirsuta (L.) Endl. 19
The interview informants mentioned 19 plant
species used for treating 23 various human
diseases and ailments as follows: Skin diseases:
Urtica sp., Malva parviflora, Ficus carica,
Prosopis farcta, Ziziphus spina-christi and
Foeniculum vulgare; Urinary system: Urtica sp.,
Paronychia argenta, Plantago coronopus and
Polygonum equisetiforme; Digestive system:
Ricinus communis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis,
Ficus carica and Foeniculum vulgare; Stomach:
Paronychia argenta, Cichorium endivia and
Lycium schweinfurthii; Inflammation: Eucalyptus
camaldulensis and Malva parviflora; Tooth:
Tamarix nilotica and Plantago coronopus; Kidney
stones: Urtica sp. and Paronychia argenta;
Nervous system: Urtica sp. and Artemisia
monosperma; Coughing: Matricaria aurea and
Opuntia ficus indica; Respiratory system:
Matricaria aurea and Urtica sp; Prostate
disorders: Paronychia argenta; Stop bleeding:
Plantago coronopus; Back pain: Polygonum
equisetiforme; Liver diseases: Cichorium endivia;
Flu: Foeniculum vulgare; Intestine pain:
Eucalyptus camaldulensis; Anemia: Malva
parviflora; Weight despicable: Urtica sp; Nervous
system: Thymelaea hirsuta; Diabetes: Urtica sp.;
Blood pressure: Urtica sp.; Wounds: Solanum
nigrum; Rheumatism: Urtica sp.
Many plant species treat the same disease. The
medicinal plant species used for most popular
diseases and the percentage from the total 19
medicinal plants were reported by interviewed
informants, in parenthesis, as follows: Skin
diseases relieved by 6 species (32%), urinary
system relieved 4 species (21%), digestive system
relieved by 4 species (21%), stomach relieved by 3
species (16%) and inflammation, tooth, kidney
stones, nervous system, coughing, respiratory
system are treated by 2 species.
The interviewed informants reported the most
widely used medicinal plant species were Urtica
sp. treats 9 diseases (39% of total 23 diseases)
followed by Paronychia argenta treats 4 diseases
(17% of total 23 diseases).
According to the plant parts used recorded in
the current questionnaire, leaves and fruits were
the plant parts most widely used as edible parts.
The interviewed informants mentioned the specific

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plant part which used for food purposes. We
recorded the most important species, the plant
parts used and the percentage of informants, in
parenthesis, mentioned these species and parts as
follows: Ficus sycomorus (41%). Ziziphus spina-
christi (17%). Opuntia ficus indica (8%), Vicia
sativa (1%), Lathyrus gorgonei (1%) are eaten as
fruits. Malva parviflora (31%), Oxalis pes-caprae
(24%), Portulaca oleracea (19%) and Cichorium
endivia (6%) are eaten as leaves. Finally, only 10%
of the interviewed informants mentioned the stems
of the species Asparagus horridus are eaten.
According to the traditional medicinal natural
plants, the interviewed informants reported some
plant species used as edible wild plants and others
for medicinal purposes. These plant species were
not occur in our study area but recorded in other
locations of Palestine. The plant species and the
percentage of interviewed informants, in
parenthesis, were reported as follows: Artemisia
inculata (19%) used for treating intestine;
Majorana syriaca (12%) used for treating chest
diseases and intestine; Ammi visnaga (11%) used
for treating kidney stones, digestive system,
respiratory system and urinary system; Citrulus
colocynthis (10%) used for treating diarrhea;
Teucrium capitatum (10%) used for treating
intestine; Salvia fruticosa (8%) used for treating
intestine; Mentha spicata (4%) used for treating
intestine; Cyperus rotundus (1.4%) used for
treating fold growth hair; Ceratonia siliqua (2%)
used for treating constipation; Anchusa strigosa
with value (12%), Anethum graveolens (6%),
Allium ampeloprasum (3%), Coriandrum sativum
(1%) are plant species mentioned as wild edible
plants.
On the other hand the interviewed informants,
in the following parenthesis, reported some wild
plants with their possible uses as follows: For
industry, fuel and windbreaks: Eucalyptus
camaldulensis (57%), Tamarix nilotica (55%),
Ficus sycomorus (41%), Acacia saligna (19%),
Ziziphus spina-christi (17%). For bordering
agriculture fields: Arundo donax (24%), Prosopis
farcta (14%), Opuntia ficus indica (8%), Lycium
schweinfurthii (2%), Nerium oleander (2%). For
making baskets, small building inside farms,
musical instruments: Arundo donax (17%),
Phargmites australis (4%).
The interviewed informants reported 3 species
used for external applications (mostly for skin
diseases, snake bites and wounds), 12 species for
internal consumption of the preparations were
involved in the treatment of diseases and 4 species
were involved in both internal and external uses.
Different parts of medicinal plants were used as
medicine by the local traditional healers. Among
the different plant parts, the leaves were most
frequently used for the treatment of diseases
followed by the whole plant parts, fruit, stem, root,
stem and root bark, seed, flower and latex.
The interviewed informants mentioned only 19
species medicinal plant species, whearas 17 of
them were reported in literature survey study. The
results revealed that 9 species are used for the
same medicinal purposes in both literature survey
study and questionnaire study, while there are 8
species used in different way by the interviewed
informants. In addition, 2 species were mentioned
by the interviewed informants while not included
in the survey literature study.
Comparing the data obtained from interviewed
informants with other studies, we summarize the
variation of medicinal plant use as follows: The 9
medicinal plant species use at same way:
Tamarix nilotica used for treating tooth
inflammation [2] Matricaria aurea used for
treating coughing [28] Solanum nigrum used for
treating wounds [28] Eucalyptus camaldulensis
used for treating laxative [1] Ricinus communis
used for treating laxative [28,23]. Ficus carica
used for treating skin diseases and laxative [2]
Paronychia argenta used for treating urinary
system [28] Polygonum equisetiforme used for
treating urinary tract diseases [28] Malva
parviflora used for treating skin diseases [1].
The 8 medicinal plant species use at different
way from interviewed informants compared with
the literature studies: Utica sp., interviewed
informants could not distinguish between different
species, used for treating rheumatism, nervous
system, diabetes, chest diseases, involuntary
urination, high blood pressure, stones in kidney,
skin diseases and weight Despicable. Literature
study reported Urtica pilulifera L., used for
treating cancer, stomach, intestine pain,
inflammation, liver diseases and circulatory system
[28] and leaves, herbal tea, stem, eaten raw as
salad [2]. Urtica urens L., used for treating cancer,
stomach, intestine pain, inflammation, liver
diseases [28]. Plantago coronopus used for
treating tooth diseases, urinary tract diseases, stop
bleeding and involuntary urination by interviewed
informants, while the literature study reported
Plantago coronopus L. used for treating
stomachache [32]. Foeniculum vulgare used for
treating flu, skin diseases and digestive system
inflammation by interviewed informants, while the
literature study reported Foeniculum vulgare Mill
used for treating a phrodisiac, diuretic,
emmenagogue, galactogoue, stimulat, green leaves
used to increase production of breast milk; sexual
desire; and to treat kidney infection [1]. The
interviewed informants mentioned that Ziziphus
spina-christi used for treating skin diseases, while
the literature study reported Ziziphus spina-christi
(L.) Desf., used for treating cholesterol reduction,
cancer, eye inflammation and hair loss [28].
Prosopis farcta used for treating skin diseases by

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interviewed informants while our literature study
reported Prosopis farcta (Banks&Sol.) J.F.Macbr,
used for treating prostate disorders and interrupting
the urine [2]. Opuntia ficus indica used for
coughing mentioned by interviewed informants,
while the literature study reported Opuntia ficus-
indica (L.) Mill, used for treating skin diseases [4].
The interviewed informants mentioned that
Cichorium endivia used for treating stomach
inflammation and liver diseases, while the
literature study reported C ichorium endivia L.,
whole plant poisoning and leaves are used for
bacterial infection and rheumatism [28].
Thymelaea hirsuta used for treating nervous
system reported by interviewed informants, while
the literature study reported Thymelea hirsuta (L.)
Endl., used for treating skin diseases [28]. Finally,
the last two species mentioned by interviewed
informants and not included in the literature study
are Lycium schweinfurthii used for treating
stomach ulcer and Artemisia monosperma used for
treating nervous system diseases. Silybum
marianum, is medicinal plant species which
occupies many locations of our study area, widely
used throughout the Meddile East and with another
species such as Ricinus communis and Artemisia
herba alba are will known as the basis of European
herbal medicine [5].
No clear dividing line between food and
medicinal plants usually exists, especially in
indigenous and local traditions. Food can be used
as medicine and vice versa. Still certain wild edible
plants are used because of their assumed health
benefits and thus can be called medicinal foods
[17]. Of the Earth's half million species, only about
3000 species have been us as agricultural crops
and only 150 species have been cultivated on a
large scale [19,20].
The survey of relevant literature showed that a
total of 30 species (14 %) are wild edible plants.
Whearas [2] recorded 100 wild edible plant
species, traditional of wild edible plants used in
Palestine (Northern West Bank). The interviewed
informants mentioned some wild plants consumed
cooked, for example, Malva sylvestris, Cichorium
endivia, Oxalis pes-capare, Portulaca oleracea
and Asparagus horridus. Some plants are
consumed fried in olive oil (e.g., Rumex acetosa,
Malva sylvestris, Cichorium pumilum) [2] Olea
europea plant species have wide consumption
mainly olive oil with many food. This is in
agreement with similar findings of [7]: olive oil is
the predominant oil (79%) used in Arab culture
and one study suggested that olives have some
protective effect against cancer. The literature
study and interviewed informants revealed that
some wild plants such as Eruca sativa, Foeniculum
vulgaris, Portulaca oleracea and Ziziphus spina-
christi are consumed raw. The majority of these
plants are eaten fresh, directly after they are
gathered. [2] revealed that these species are used in
salads and dressed with olive oil and lemon or are
eaten with pickled olives, onions and bread. On the
other hand, many edible fruits are consumed as
desserts like Ziziphus spina-christi [2]. This is in
agreement with what people think about
Mediterranean diets and that Mediterranean people
always portrayed eating vegetables raw [21]. These
are food plants that receive recognition as
medicinal in the Traditional Arabic Palestinian
Herbal Medicine and represent of the Palestinian
medicinal ethnoflora [2].
It is evident from the data of interviewed
informants study, conducted in the study area of
middle of Gaza Strip, knowledge of medicinal
plants is very restricted to the local residents,
reveal only 19 medicinal plants treat 23 diseases
and ailments. Common diseases such as: Skin
diseases, digestive system diseases, urinary system
diseases, stomach diseases, coughing tooth
inflammation, nervous system diseases and stones
in kidney are considered to be diseases with
natural causes and hence their symptoms are
treated at the house-hold level. On the basis of the
primary uses, Utica sp., Paronychia argenta,
Foeniculum vulgare, Eucalyptus camaldulensis
and Matricaria aurea are considered the most
important medicinal plants used by local residents
at the area for treating the previously mentioned
diseases. In addition study also points out that
certain species of medicinal plants are being
exploited by the local residents who are unaware
of the importance of medicinal plants in the
ecosystems.
In the present investigation, a comparison of
the medicinal plants found in both survey literature
study and the traditional knowledge of interviewed
informants, we conclude that there are additional
unpopular 34 remedies could be utilized by the
local residents, the unpopular medicinal plants are:
Silybum marianum, Atriplex halimu, Cupressus
sempervirens, Eruca sativa, Ficus sycomorus,
Glaucium corniculatum, Marrubium vulgare
Nerium oleander, Olea europea, Portulaca
oleracea, Sarcopoterium spinosum, Urginea
maritime, Herniaria hirsuta, Acacia farnesian
Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus viridis,
Ephorbia peplus, Ephorbia terracina Rumex
pictus, Datura innoxia, Chrysanthemum
coronarium, Lycopersicon esculentum, Capsella
bursa-pastoris, Beta vulgari, Cynodon dactylon,
Phoenix dactylifera, Asparagus horridus, Alhagi
graecorum, Scolymus hispanicus, Chrozophora
tinctoria, Cyperus rotunds, Lantana camara,
Mercurialis annua and Tribulus terrestris.
The above data indicate more than 39
additional diseases and ailments could be treated
by medicinal plants of the flora of middle area of
Gaza Strip, as potential resource for treating
various diseases such as: Bacterial infection,

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poisoning infertility, sexual weakness, heart
diseases, hair loss, eye inflammation,
inflammation, bronchitis, asthma, fever, poisonous,
diuretic, circulatory system, cancer, intestine pain,
cholesterol reduction, emmenagogue, galactogoue,
aphrodisiac, stimulat, night blindess, astringent,
tunors, vginal diseases, antipyretic, gonorrhoea,
alexiteric, emollient, irritant, asedative, muscular
system, organ Britain system, blood, psoriatic,
burns, mouth ulcers, gall bladder stones, paralysis,
ulcer goiter and secrete more milk in women.
The present day traditional healers are very
old. Due to lack of interest among the younger
generation as well as their tendency to live in
cities, there is a possibility of losing this wealth of
knowledge in the near future. It thus becomes
necessary to acquire and preserve this traditional
system of medicine by proper documentation and
identification of specimens.
Our surveys reveal a very limited exchange of
information take place among practitioners, and
between practitioners and researchers in our study
area. The occupation of traditional healer is a
family matter and passed on by inheritance;
therefore, when the present generation of healers
dies, the know-how may die with it because
children of the practitioners have no interest on the
subject. The habit of using wild medicinal and
edible plants is still alive in Palestine, but is
disappearing. Therefore, the recording, preserving
and infusing of this knowledge to future generation
is pressing and fundamental.
In particular, our study has demonstrated that
there is an urgent need for the documentation of
traditional knowledge to the intangible cultural
heritage concerning traditional plant uses, and that
such a heritage is much more complex that we may
think.
The present study showed that traditional
knowledge of uses of plant species of middle area
of Gaza Strip for the cure of many diseases and
ailments is still available among the tribal and
local residents and medicinal healers, but the
traditional knowledge is disappearing day by day,
therefore, an urgent need to document to the next
generation. Based on the results of this work and
on the above mentioned discussion, we suggest
that many medicinal plant species of middle area
of Gaza Strip should be given higher priority for
future research to explore their potential in the
treatment of various diseases.
Acknowledgments
Author is grateful to Mr. Nasser deep from
Ministry of Agriculture, Palestine for his useful
help of field study and to all interviewed
informants.
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