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Review
. 2016 Jul;31(4):245-52.
doi: 10.5001/omj.2016.49.

The Practice of Ethnomedicine in the Northern and Southern Provinces of Oman

Madhu C Divakar  1 , Amani Al-Siyabi  1 , Shirley S Varghese  1 , Mohammed Al Rubaie  1
Affiliations
Review

The Practice of Ethnomedicine in the Northern and Southern Provinces of Oman

Madhu C Divakar et al. Oman Med J. 2016 Jul.

Abstract

Studies related to ethnomedicines investigate the way people manage illness and diseases because of their cultural perspective. Fields like ecology, epidemiology, and medical history jointly contribute to the broad field of ethnomedical study. The knowledge gathered by traditional healers in the villages and tribal communities on natural medicines remains unfamiliar to the majority of scientists and the general population. The study of ethnomedicine principally involves the compilation of empirical data, particularly the patterns of illness and treatments from folklore. Due to deforestation, and urbanization of the desert jungles, many valuable medicinal plants present in the study areas appear to be facing extinction in the near future if no proper conservation plans are carried out. This survey documented 33 different herbs used by the natives of Oman for various ailments. Parts of a particular plant, fresh or dried, might be crushed and drunk as an infusion or used externally as a poultice, ground into a paste, or inhaled as smoke. The survey identified 22 plant families, and 18 traditional treatment groups.

Keywords: Medicine, Traditional; Oman.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Teucrium mascatense found in the Jebel Akdhar region. The water extract of the leaves and stem is useful as a febrifuge and antibacterial.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Boswellia carteri found in the Jebel Akdhar region. Oleoresin is collected from the bark of the tree and is used in asthma and for healing wounds and ulcers.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Calotropis procera found in the Jebel Akdhar region. The milky sap extract of this plant is used in the treatment of arthritis.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Acacia gerardii found in the Dhofar region. The plant resins are used in the treatment of bites, boils, and burns.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Euphorbia larica found in the Dhofar region. Latex from the tree stem is used for the treatment of bites, boils, burns.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Ficus cordata found in the Jebel Akdhar region. The tree sap is used for relieving and treating bites, boils, and burns.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Rhazya stricta found in the Dhofar region. Smoke from the dried leaves is inhaled from a pipe for chest ailments.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Citrulus colocynth found in the Dhofar region. A decoction made from the berries and whole plant is used to treat dog and insect bites.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Solanum incanum (Mazi) found in the Jebel Akdhar region. Water extract of the roots is useful for the treatment of colds, eye problems, and insect bites.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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