Background
Materials and methods
Study areas
Data collection from traditional healers
Variable | Number of folkloric healers (N = 51) | % |
---|---|---|
Gender, % | ||
Male | 23, (45.1%) | 45.1 |
Female | 28, (54.9%) | 54.9 |
Education level, % | ||
Uneducated | 52.9 | 52.9 |
Elementary school | 25.5 | 25.5 |
Secondary school | 21.6 | 21.6 |
Residency | ||
Bethlehem region rural areas | 9 | 17.6 |
Hebron region rural areas | 7 | 13.7 |
Jenin region rural areas | 3 | 5.9 |
Jericho region rural areas | 16 | 31.4 |
Jerusalem region rural areas | 5 | 9.8 |
Nablus region rural areas | 3 | 5.9 |
Qalqilya region rural areas | 3 | 5.9 |
Ramallah region rural areas | 3 | 5.9 |
Tulkarem rural areas | 2 | 3.9 |
Age (mean ± SD) years | 53.5 (19.6) | |
Years of experience as a healer | ||
Between 1 and 10 years | 1 | 2.0 |
Between 11 and 20 years | 8 | 15.7 |
Between 21 and 30 years | 7 | 13.7 |
Between 31 and 40 years | 27 | 52.9 |
Between 41 and 50 years | 6 | 11.8 |
More than 51 years | 2 | 3.9 |
The sources of traditional healer acquired knowledge | ||
Ancestors | 48 | 94.1 |
Books and magazines | 2 | 3.9 |
Internet | 1 | 2.0 |
Data analysis
Results
Social demographic informant’s details
Results and discussion
Scientific names | Local names | English names | Family | Voucher number | Part used and mode of preparation | Method of preparation | Number of citations | FC, % | CV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ceratonia siliqua L. | خروب | Locust bean | Leguminosae | Pharm-PCT-584 | Pollen grains/About 0.2 g of the pollen grains inhaled 2 h before sexual intercourse. | Powder | 50 | 98.04 | 3.16 |
Anastatica hierochuntica L. | كف مريم | Rose of Jericho or Dinosaur plant | Brassicaceae | Pharm-PCT-156 | Fruits/Soak 50 g of the crushed fruits in 500 ml water. 100 ml of this infusion is to be given once daily for 7 days after the finishing of menopause. | Infusion | 45 | 88.24 | 2.85 |
Parietaria judaica L. | حشيشة الزجاج | Spreading pellitory or Pellitory of the wall | Urticaceae | Pharm-PCT-1790 | Leaves/Boil about 15 g of the leaves in 150 ml water. About 50 ml of this decoction is to be given orally before each meal. | Decoction | 43 | 84.31 | 2.72 |
Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.* | القسط الهندي | Costus or kuth | Compositae | Pharm-PCT-2800 | Roots/Boil about 50 g of roots in 250 ml water for 15 min. This decoction is to be given three times a day after meals. | Decoction | 41 | 80.39 | 2.59 |
Peganum harmala L. | الحرمل | Syrian Rue | Nitrariaceae | Pharm-PCT-1801 | Fruits/Boil 10 g of the fruits in 500 ml water and used intensively as vaginal douche. | Decoction | 39 | 76.47 | 2.47 |
Phoenix dactylifera L. | تمر | Date or date palm | Arecaceae | Pharm-PCT-1842 | Fruits/Take two of Date fruits and boil them in water (about 50 ml) and the produced solution is to be mixed with equal quantities of Olive oil and Honey. This mixture to be taken early morning once daily. | Decoction | 34 | 66.67 | 2.15 |
Ankyropetalum gypsophiloides Fenzl | شرش حلاوه | Anchor capillary | Caryophyllaceae | Pharm-PCT-172 | Flowers/Steep 1 g of the flowers in 50 ml of fresh Donkey’s milk for 6 h. This infusion is to be given once daily. | Infusion | 25 | 49.02 | 1.58 |
Trigonella foenum-graecum L. | الحلبة | Fenugreek | Leguminosae | Pharm-PCT-2778 | Seeds/Mix 50 ml of the oil of the seeds with equal amounts of royal jelly. One tablespoon of this mixture is to be given once daily before sexual intercourse | Paste | 25 | 49.02 | 1.58 |
Viscum cruciatum Sieber ex Boiss. | دبق الاحمر | Red-berry mistletoe | Santalaceae | Pharm-PCT-2662 | Leaves/About 5 g of dried and ground leaves are to be given orally twice daily with a cup of water. | Powder | 25 | 49.02 | 1.58 |
Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht | القسط | Crepe ginger | Costaceae | Pharm-PCT-2799 | Rhizomes/Powdered rhizomes mixed with equal amounts of Royal Jelly. This mixture is to be given before meals three times daily. | Paste | 25 | 49.02 | 1.58 |
Nigella sativa L. | قزحه | Black cumin | Ranunculaceae | Pharm-PCT-2797 | Seeds/Boil 30 g of the seeds with 100 ml water. This decoction is to be orally given before sexual intercourse. | Decoction | 24 | 47.06 | 1.52 |
Artemisia judaica L. | البعيثران | Judean wormwood | Compositae | Pharm-PCT-238 | Flowers/Boil 50 g of the flowers in 500 ml water and used as vaginal douche before sexual intercourse. | Decoction | 24 | 47.06 | 1.52 |
Conium maculatum L. | الشوكران | Hemlock | Apiaceae | Pharm-PCT-657 | Fruits/Steep 0.5 g of the flowers with 500 ml water for 5 h. About 20 ml of this infusion is to be given orally three times a day. | Infusion | 22 | 43.14 | 1.39 |
Ficus carica L. | التين | Common fig | Moraceae | Pharm-PCT-1028 | Leaves/Boil the fresh leaves (about 50 g) with water and the produced decoction is mixed with few drops of the Wolf bile and used as vaginal douche | Decoction | 21 | 41.18 | 1.33 |
Prunus mahaleb L. | المحلب | St. Lucie cherry | Rosaceae | Pharm-PCT-2798 | Seeds/Steep about 50 g of the seeds in 100 ml goat milk for three hours. This infusion is to be given after each meal. | Infusion | 21 | 41.18 | 1.33 |
Ferula orientalis L. | الكلخ الشرقي | Samaria giant fennel | Apiaceae | Pharm-PCT-1020 | Fruits/About 20 g of the powdered seeds soaked one night in olive oil. The produced mixture is to be given three times daily during the menstrual period. | Infusion | 20 | 39.22 | 1.27 |
Juglans regia L. | الجوز | Persian walnut, English walnut, | Juglandaceae | Pharm-PCT-2714 | Bark/Boil 200 g from the ground bark in 800 ml water for 30 min. 400 ml of this decoction is to be used as vaginal douche twice daily. | Decoction | 20 | 39.22 | 1.27 |
Sesamum indicum L. | السمسم | Sesame | Pedaliaceae | Pharm-PCT-2722 | Seeds/Handful of grounded seeds is to be eaten once daily. | Powder | 19 | 37.25 | 1.20 |
Quercus coccifera L. | بلوط قلبريني | Palestine oak | Fagaceae | Pharm-PCT-1978 | Bark/Steep 100 g from the bark in 500 ml water for 20 min. 250 ml of this decoction is to be used as vaginal douche twice daily. | Infusion | 19 | 37.25 | 1.20 |
Convallaria majalis L. | زنبق الوادي | Lily of the Valley | Asparagaceae | Pharm-PCT-2796 | Flowers/Soak 10 g of the flowers in 500 ml of the horse milk or donkey milk for 3 h This infusion is to be given orally three times daily after the menstrual period. | Infusion | 19 | 37.25 | 1.20 |
Alchemilla vulgaris L. | رجل الأسد | Common lady’s mantle | Rosaceae | Pharm-PCT-2801 | Leaves/Steep about 30 g of the leaves in 150 ml water for two hours. This infusion is to be given after each meal. | Infusion | 18 | 35.29 | 1.14 |
Salvia fruticosa Mill. | مريميه | Sage | Lamiaceae | Pharm-PCT-2117 | Fruits/About 50 g of the crushed fruits soaked one night in water. The produced infusion used as vaginal douche twice daily. | Infusion | 17 | 33.33 | 1.08 |
Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) A.Juss. | الغبيراء | Dyer’s croton or turnsole | Euphorbiaceae | Pharm-PCT-611 | Leaves/About 10 g of grounded leaves mixed with 10 ml Cow’s bile to produce a thick solution. This mixture diluted with water which used as vaginal douche once daily before bedtime. | Paste | 17 | 33.33 | 1.08 |
Clematis flammula L. | ظيان شعلي | Fragrant virgin’s bower | Ranunculaceae | Pharm-PCT-631 | Flowers/Soak about 10 g of the flowers in 50 ml of water for 12 h. This infusion is to be given five times a day after meals. | Infusion | 17 | 33.33 | 1.08 |
Juniperus drupacea Labill. | عرعر سوري | Syrian juniper | Cupressaceae | Pharm-PCT-1296 | Fruits/Soak 200 g in 800 ml water. About 450 ml of this decoction is to be given orally twice daily before meals. | Infusion | 13 | 25.49 | 0.82 |
Origanum jordanicum Danin & Kunne | مردقوش شائع | Jordan Thyme | Lamiaceae | Pharm-PCT-1729 | Flowers/Boil about 100 g of the flowers in 500 ml water for 25 min. This decoction is to be given five times a day after meals. | Decoction | 13 | 25.49 | 0.82 |
Ricinus communis L. | حب الخروع | Castor | Euphorbiaceae | Pharm-PCT-2742 | Seeds/One Castor seed soaked one night in 200 ml water. The produced infusion used as vaginal douche before intercourse. | Infusion | 13 | 25.49 | 0.82 |
Quercus infectoria subsp.veneris (A.Kern.) Meikle | بلوط حلبي | Aleppo Oak | Fagaceae | Pharm-PCT-1977 | Bark/Boil 150 g from the ground bark in 200 ml water for 20 min. 50 ml of this decoction is to be used as vaginal douche twice daily. | Decoction | 13 | 25.49 | 0.82 |
Rosmarinus officinalis L. | اكليل الجبل | Rosemary | Lamiaceae | Pharm-PCT-2732 | Leaves/Boil about 50 g of the leaves in 500 ml water for 10 min. 100 ml from this decoction is to be used as vaginal douche before each sexual intercourse. | Decoction | 11 | 21.57 | 0.70 |
Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry | كبش قرنفل | Clove | Myrtaceae | Pharm-PCT-2767 | Flowers buds/Steep one gram of the buds in100 ml hot water for 12 h. The produced infusion is to be used as vaginal douche before sexual intercourse | Infusion | 9 | 17.65 | 0.57 |
Crocus sativus L. | زعفران | Saffron | Iridaceae | Pharm-PCT-2733 | Flowers/Boil about 2 g of the flowers in one cup of milk for 10 min. Gives 50 ml of this decoction orally every day during the menstrual period. | Decoction | 4 | 7.84 | 0.25 |
Scientific names | Local names | English names | Family | Voucher numbers | Part used and mode of preparation | Method of preparation | Citations | FC, % | CV |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ferula hermonis Boiss. | شرش الزلوع | Hermon ferula | Apiaceae | Pharm-PCT-1018 | Roots/About 50 g of the roasted seeds soaked in 330 ml water for 12 h. The produced infusion is to be given twice a day. | Infusion | 49 | 96.08 | 4.00 |
Phlomis brachyodon (Boiss.) Zohary ex Rech.f. | القصعين (الأذينة قصيرة الأسنان) | Short-toothed phlomis | Lamiaceae | Pharm-PCT-1832 | Leaves/Boil about 50 g of leaves in 750 ml water for 5 min. 150 ml of this decoction is to be given orally before each meal. | Decoction | 45 | 88.24 | 3.68 |
Phoenix dactylifera L. | تمر | Date or Date Palm | Arecaceae | Pharm-PCT-1842 | Pollen grains/About 1 g of the Date trees pollen grains mixed with one 1 g of royal jelly. This paste to be given 2 h before each sexual intercourse. | Paste | 44 | 86.27 | 3.59 |
Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem. | الليف | Sponge gourd or Egyptian cucumber | Cucurbitaceae | Pharm-PCT-2806 | Fruits/About 5 ml of fruits juice to be given twice daily for two weeks | Juice | 40 | 78.43 | 3.27 |
Adonis aestivalis L. | عين الديك | Summer pheasant’s-eye | Ranunculaceae | Pharm-PCT-23 | Leaves/Soak 5 g of the leaves in 400 ml water for 12 h and drink once daily. | Infusion | 35 | 68.63 | 2.86 |
Ferula communis L. | الكلخ الشائع | Common giant fennel | Apiaceae | Pharm-PCT-1016 | Rhizomes/Mix 200 g of the rhizomes with 200 g of dried locust insect and 150 ml of olive oil. About 50 g of the produced paste is to be given orally two times daily. | Paste | 31 | 60.78 | 2.53 |
Myristica fragrans Houtt. | جوز الطيب | Nutmeg | Myristicaceae | Pharm-PCT-2716 | Seeds/Two drops of the oil of the seeds are to be given with one cup of the Camel milk before sexual intercourse. | Oil | 26 | 50.98 | 2.12 |
Pinus halepensis Mill. | صنوبر | Aleppo pine | Pinaceae | Pharm-PCT-1863 | Leaves/Boil about 100 g from the leaves in 100 ml water. 50 ml from this decoction is to be given 6 times daily. | Decoction | 24 | 47.06 | 1.96 |
Eruca sativa Mill. | جرجير | Arugula | Brassicaceae | Pharm-PCT-2786 | Seeds/Boil 50 g of the seeds in 100 ml water for 10 min. About 20 ml of this decoction is to be given orally four times daily. | Decoction | 24 | 47.06 | 1.96 |
Cnicus benedictus L. | قنطريون مبارك | St. Benedict’s thistle | Compositae | Pharm-PCT-639 | Roots/Boil 100 g from fresh roots in 330 ml water for 10 min. 100 ml of this decoction is to be given orally three times daily after meals. | Decoction | 23 | 45.10 | 1.88 |
Mandragora officinalis Mill. | تفاح المجن | Mandrake or Satan’s apple | Solanaceae | Pharm-PCT-1509 | Roots/Mix equal amounts of the roots powder with honey. 30 g of this paste is to be taken orally twice daily. | Paste | 23 | 45.10 | 1.88 |
Lepidium sativum L | حب الرشاد | Cress | Brassicaceae | Pharm-PCT-2802 | Seeds/Boil 100 g of the seeds in 500 ml water for 15 min. About 100 ml of this decoction is to be given orally once a day. | Decoction | 22 | 43.14 | 1.80 |
Rumex cyprius Murb. | حميض | Knotweed | Polygonaceae | Pharm-PCT-2070 | Leaves/Fresh leaves juice is given four times daily (about 30 ml each time). | Juice | 22 | 43.14 | 1.80 |
Zingiber officinale Roscoe | زنجبيل | Ginger | Zingiberaceae | Pharm-PCT-2724 | Rhizomes/Mix 75 g of the roasted rhizomes with 50 g of honey. One tablespoon of this paste is to be given for patient one hour before sexual intercourse. | Paste | 21 | 41.18 | 1.72 |
Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus (L.) Domin | فجل | Cultivated radish | Brassicaceae | Pharm-PCT-2770 | Seeds/Mix equal amounts of the crushed seeds and honey. One tablespoon of this paste is to be given once daily. | Paste | 20 | 39.22 | 1.63 |
Cucurbita maxima Duchesne | قرع | Atlantic giant pumpkin | Cucurbitaceae | Pharm-PCT-2762 | Seeds/Boil 100 g of the crushed seeds in 350 ml water and drink this decoction once daily. | Decoction | 20 | 39.22 | 1.63 |
Portulaca oleracea L. | فرفحينه | Common purslane | Portulacaceae | Pharm-PCT-1935 | Leaves/Soak about 150 g of the crushed leaves in 500 ml water. This infusion is to be given after each meal. | Infusion | 19 | 37.25 | 1.55 |
Allium cepa L. | بصل | Common onion | Amaryllidaceae | Pharm-PCT-2703 | Bulb/Mix 20 ml of onion juice with 5 ml apple vinegar. This mixture is to be given once daily in the early morning time. | Juice | 18 | 35.29 | 1.47 |
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. | سدر | Sidr | Rhamnaceae | Pharm-PCT-2693 | Flowers/Boil 1 g of the flowers in 100 ml water and drink this decoction once daily. | Decoction | 17 | 33.33 | 1.39 |
Urtica urens L. | القريص | Small nettle | Urticaceae | Pharm-PCT-2562 | Pollen grains/Boil 10 g of the powdered pollen grains in 50 ml water for 10 min. The produce decoction is to be mixed with royal jelly (equal amounts) and given orally before sexual intercourse. | Decoction | 13 | 25.49 | 1.06 |
Lens culinaris Medik. | عدس | Lentil | Leguminosae | Pharm-PCT-2805 | Seeds/Boil 100 g of the ground seeds in 200 ml water and 50 ml olive oil for 20 min. 100 ml of this decoction is to be given twice daily | Decoction | 13 | 25.49 | 1.06 |
Cyperus esculentus L. | حب العزيز | Nut grass or earth almond | Cyperaceae | Pharm-PCT-2803 | Roots/Soak 100 g of the roots in 800 ml of water for one night. The produced infusion is to be given 3–5 times a day. | Infusion | 11 | 21.57 | 0.90 |
Hordeum spontaneum K.Koch | شعير بري | Wild barley | Poaceae | Pharm-PCT-1211 | Seeds/Boil 100 g of the crushed seeds in 100 ml water and drink twice daily after meals. | Decoction | 10 | 19.61 | 0.82 |
Anacardium occidentale L. | كاشو | Cashew | Anacardiaceae | Pharm-PCT-2804 | Seeds/Steep 50 g of the grounded seeds in 100 ml water for 6 h. About 20 ml from this infusion is to be given three times a day. | Infusion | 5 | 9.80 | 0.41ii |
Infertility | Herbal remedies | ||
---|---|---|---|
Males | Ferula hermonis roots infusion | Phlomis brachyodon leaves decoction | Phoenix dactylifera pollen grains paste |
Female | Ceratonia siliqua pollen grains powder | Anastatica hierochuntica fruits infusion | Parietaria Judaica leaves decoction |