Medicinal Plants Native to Saudi Arabia

Geographical and Ecological Context of Saudi Arabia

  • Climate and Geography:

    • Saudi Arabia (KSA) is characterized by a hot desert climate where rainfall is scarce in the majority of the country.

    • The Kingdom spans approximately 1,969,000 km21,969,000\,km^2, covering 2/32/3 of the Arabian subcontinent.

    • KSA possesses high ecological and economic significance due to its diverse natural sites and biological productivity.

    • The vegetation composition is a reflection of the geographical positioning of the Arabian Peninsula, situated between the continents of Africa, Asia, and Europe.

  • Characteristics of Arid Zones:

    • The climate of Saudi Arabia is predominantly arid.

    • Ecologically, arid zones are defined by three main traits: they are fragile, difficult to develop, and difficult to use except within limited designated areas.

    • Vegetation in these arid regions is sparse and exhibits high specialization in both morphology and physiology.

    • Because of these unique conditions, the region serves as a natural reservoir for a diverse collection of wild medicinal and aromatic plants.

  • Factors Influencing Distributional Behavior of Medicinal Plants:

    • Variations in the distribution of medicinal plants across different regions can be attributed to:

    • Changes in water resources.

    • Climatic factors.

    • Edaphic variables (التضاريسية المتغيرات).

    • Anthropogenic pressures (البشرية).

Flora Statistics and Human Utilization in KSA

  • Recorded Plant Biodiversity:

    • There are 2,1722,172 recorded flowering plant species in Saudi Arabia.

    • These species belong to 840840 genera and 149149 families.

    • Many species are concentrated in the wetter areas of the south-western parts of the country.

    • Total counts could potentially increase to 2,2502,250 when accounting for subspecies, extinct species, and species that have not yet been identified.

  • Utilization Statistics of Saudi Flora:

    • Approximately 450450 species (18\%$ $ of flowering plants) provide direct benefits to humans.\n - Approximately 334species(species (13.4\%$ $ are utilized in folk medicine or have recognized medicinal value.

    • 4545 species (1.8\%$ $ are classified as poisonous.\n - 38 species are significant as palatable fodder plants for livestock.\n - 25 species are used as human food plants.\n - 6 species are important sources of fuel-wood.\n - 47$$ species are utilized as ornamentals or for miscellaneous purposes.

  • Conservation and Economic Pressures:

    • Many plant species are collected by local communities without reference to conservation needs.

    • Plants are collected and sold in both local and international markets as a means for people in mountainous and arid environments to support their livelihoods.

Profile of Specific Native Medicinal Plants and Their Uses

  • Haloxylon salicornicum (locally known as "Armas" or Ar-Ramth الصفصافي الرمث):

    • Description: A stout herb featuring green succulent branches; it is distributed throughout all regions of Saudi Arabia.

    • Medicinal Uses: Employed for the treatment of jaundice (اليرقان), gall bladder stones, liver diseases, digestive problems, inflammatory disorders, and joint diseases.

  • Juniperus procera (locally known as "Arar" العرعر):

    • Description: A long tree with needle-like leaves found specifically in the Hejaz and southern regions of Saudi Arabia.

    • Medicinal Uses: Traditionally used in Saudi medicine for liver disease, jaundice, digestive problems, and inflammatory diseases.

  • Peganum harmala (locally known as "Harmal/Naqt" الحرمل):

    • Description: A glabrous shrub found primarily in the northern Hejaz and eastern Najd regions.

    • Medicinal Uses: Used for treating jaundice, digestive disorders, liver diseases, and arthritis.

  • Pergularia daemia (locally known as "Ghalqa" الغلقة):

    • Description: A climbing plant with thin glabrous leaves native to the Najd region.

    • Medicinal Uses: The entire aerial part of the plant is used extensively to treat jaundice (اليرقان), liver diseases, and inflammatory disorders.

  • Cassia italica (commonly called SENNA; locally called Senna Mecca السنامكى):

    • Location: Grows on the Tihama, the southwestern coastal plain of Saudi Arabia.

    • Medicinal Uses: Renowned for the laxative properties yielded by its leaves and pods.

  • Heliotropium ramosissimum (locally called RAM-RAM الرمرام):

    • Location: A medicinal plant found in eastern and central Saudi Arabia.

    • Medicinal Uses:

    • In the Eastern Province, it is used as a remedy for snake bites.

    • In central Saudi Arabia, the plant is boiled in water and used as a mouthwash to treat mouth blisters and sore gums.

  • Acacia species:

    • Acacia raddiana (commonly called TALH الطلح):

    • Context: Important constituents of woody vegetation along Wadis in central Arabia.

    • Product: Produces large amounts of Arabic gum (AL-SAMGH AL-'ARABI الصمغ العربى).

    • Medicinal Uses: Used in eye medications and cough treatments.

    • Acacia nilotica (locally called GARAT):

    • Medicinal Uses: The seeds are ground into a powder to dry out and treat second-degree burns.

  • Portulaca oleracea (locally known as "Rizlah" and "Farfahena" الرجلة):

    • Description: An annual herb with branched stems found in the Hejaz and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia.

    • Historical Context: Use by Arabs dates back to the time of the Pharaohs.

    • Medicinal Uses: Used for liver disorders, gastrointestinal problems, and inflammatory conditions.

Principles of Medicinal Plant Taxonomy

  • Internal Classification Factors:

    • Classification is organized based on various criteria, including the arrangement of plants according to active ingredients located in storage organs (roots, leaves, flowers, seeds, and other parts).

    • Herbs are generally classified by:

    1. Usage patterns.

    2. Active constituents.

    3. Period of life cycle.

    4. Taxonomy.

Family Profile: Apocynaceae (Dafliyah دفليه)

  • Botanical Description:

    • Species in this family are primarily lianas and herbs, though fewer exist as shrubs, trees, or succulents (عصاريه).

    • Notable Examples: Calotropis procera and Pergularia tomentosa.

  • Chemical Constituents:

    • Most plants in this family contain latex rich in terpenes.

    • Other constituents include alkaloids, cardenolides, cyanogenetic glycosides, saponins, and tannins.

  • Medicinal Use of Calotropis procera:

    • The leaves and latex are used for:

    1. Treating wounds.

    2. Relieving pain.

    3. Treating scorpion stings (لدغات العقارب).

    4. Strengthening muscles.

Family Profile: Boraginaceae (Hamhamyah احلمحميه)

  • Botanical Description:

    • This family includes trees, shrubs, and herbs.

  • Chemical Constituents:

    • Members may contain: Naphthaquinones, red alkanins in the roots, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, phenolic acids, and tannins.

  • Medicinal Use of Echium angustifolium:

    • The leaves are utilized for:

    1. Hepatitis (التهاب الكبد).

    2. Kidney issues.

    3. Skin problems.

    4. Healing wounds.

Family Profile: Brassicaceae / Cruciferae (Al-Salibiyah الصليبيه or Al-Qarnabiyah القرنبيه)

  • Botanical Description:

    • Known as the mustards, crucifers, or the cabbage family.

    • Most species are herbs, while shrubs or subshrubs are rare.

  • Chemical Constituents:

    • Contains mustard oil glycosides along with the enzymes necessary for their hydrolysis.

    • Contains cardiac glycosides, mucilage and fixed oils (usually in seeds), important minerals, and phenolics.

  • Medicinal Use of Anastatica hierochuntica (Kaff Maryam):

    • Used in traditional medicine for:

    1. Menstrual cramps (تشنجات الحيض).

    2. Asthma (الربو).

    3. Depression (الاكتئاب).

    4. Headache (الصداع).

    5. Fatigue (التعب).

    6. High blood pressure (ارتفاع ضغط الدم).

    7. Infertility problems (مشاكل العقم).

    8. To ease childbirth (تسهيل الوالدة).

Family Profile: Cucurbitaceae (Al-Qar'iyah القرعيه)

  • Botanical Description:

    • Nearly all species are trailing herbs or climbers, typically possessing tendrils; shrubs or trees are rare.

  • Chemical Constituents:

    • Known for bitter glycosides and a high content of oil and protein.

    • Contains the secondary metabolite cucurbitacin.

  • Medicinal Use of Citrullus colocynthis (Al-Hanzal احلنظل):

    • Parts used: Leaves, seeds, roots, and dried leaves.

    • Applications:

    1. Treatment of snake, insect, and dog bites.

    2. Function as a laxative.

    3. Relieving joint pain.

    4. Used as a hair color.

Family Profile: Euphorbiaceae (Al-Libniyah اللبنيه)

  • Botanical Description:

    • Species include trees, shrubs, herbs, and succulents.

  • Chemical Constituents:

    • Members may contain: Milky or colored latex, anthraquinones, triterpenoids, unsaturated fattyloid acids, alkaloids, and antitumor agents.

  • Medicinal Use of Ricinus communis (Castor plant الخروع):

    • Parts used: Leaves and roots.

    • Applications:

    1. Bad breath: Dried leaves are burnt and the resulting smoke is inhaled.

    2. Ulcers.

    3. Toothache.

    4. Inflamed eyes.

    5. Relief of rheumatic pain.