Folk utilization of traditional medicinal plants among rural population in Wadi Mujib - Jordan

ABSTRACT

The use of herbal medicine among the inhabitants of Jordan is an inherent practice. Over 100 inhabitants from 7 villages around Wadi Mujib area, 120 km south of the capital Amman, were interviewed to fill a specially designed questionnaire. The analysis of the questionnaire indicated that the inhabitants utilize about 20 plant species for treating at least 18 different ailments. The 5 most commonly used herbs -cited by more than 50% of the informants- were; Germ and er, Teucrium polium L.; Golden chamomile, Matricaria aurea L.; Worm wood, Artimisia herba - alba Asso; Origano thyme, Origanum syriacum L.; and Sage, Salvia triloba L. Our results show that Germ and er is used for treating gastro-intestinal disorders with the highest Rank Order Priority [ROP = 255]. Results also indicate that the majority of inhabitants practice folk medicine without referring to herbalists. Moreover, the number of herbalists in the study area is limited. Around half of the population [57.3%] collects and grows medicinal plants. Collection of medicinal plants starts from late winter to early summer; 83.6% of inhabitants collect medicinal plants during spring [from March to June]