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Ancient Herbal Traditions of the Middle East
Frankincense
The Middle East is a region of extreme climates including mountains and arid
deserts. It was in Assyria, (now Iraq), that edible and medicinal plants were
first brought into cultivation. The mountain uplands are the ancestral home
of the rose, Rosa damascenawhich was cultivated by the Persians long
before the Crusaders brought it home to Europe. The olive, fig and myrtle trees
grow in the western parts of the region, (Israel,Lebanon, Syria, and southern
Turkey. Ancient forests of pine and oak thrived here thousands of years ago
where now only remnants of the Cedars groves of Lebanon (
Cedrus libani
) remain under protected species status. In the dry, inland drought resistant
shrubs such as francincense, Boswellia sacra, myrrh, (Commmiphora
myrrha), and gum arabic
(Acacia senegal)
provided the resins that were the first aromatics. Other important medicinal
and food plants originating in the Middle East include oats, barley, flax, sesame,
safflower, cabbages,onions, garlic,
alfalfa, grapes, almonds, and pomegranates.
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Acacia |
Acacia senegal |
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Herbalists use acacia gum to bind pills and lozenges and to stabilize emulsions
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Ajwain Seed |
Trachyspermum ammi |
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The high concentration of essential oils in ajwain seeds, primarily thymol, give them an aroma and flavor resembling thyme, with a stronger bite
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Alfalfa |
Medicago sativa L. |
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The cut and sifted form of this herb is a popular tea having a very soft, delicate flavor that melds very nicely with mint.
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Almond |
Prunus dulcis |
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Sweet Almond oil is a favorite in aromatherapy carrier oils and skin care oils for it's ability to soften and condition the skin.
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Asafoetida |
Ferula asafoetida |
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According to ayurvedic medicine, asafoetida is a valuable spice and remedy for nervous disorders, colic, bowel spasms, and for spasmodic coughing.
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Black Mustard |
Brassica nigra |
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Pungent mustard oil is antibacterial and antifungal, warm and stimulating.
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Boswellia |
Boswellia thurifera |
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Boswellia or Indian frankincense is one of the Ayurvedic gum resins which are referred to collectively as guggals.
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Caraway |
Carum carvi |
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The familiar seed that adorn dark rye bread is a member of the carrot family, and all parts are edible, roots, leaves and see
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Cedar |
Cedurs atlantica |
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Cedarwood is known for use in problem skin, as an insect repellent, and as an inhalant in respiratory complaints. It's actions are sedative, astringent, and antiseptic
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Coriander |
Corlandrum sativum |
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As an aromatic stimulant and spice, it has been cultivated and used since very ancient times. It was employed by Hippocrates
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Cumin |
Cuminum cyminum |
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Cumin is aromatic, containing up to 4 percent essential oil, warm, spicy and slightly sweet.
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Dill |
Anethum graveoleus |
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Dill is good for treatment of gas and nausea , especially from sudden changes in diet, or a bad reaction to spicy food.
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Fenugreek |
Trigonella foenum-graecum |
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Fenugreek contains potent antioxidants that have beneficial effects on the liver and pancreas, making it useful in the treatment of diabetes, high cholesterol, and digestive disorders.
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Garlic |
Allium sativum |
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Garlic can and should be used liberally in food, either powdered or freshly chopped. Using fresh garlic in your cooking also helps you cut down on the amount of saturated fats you use to season your food. Add it last to soups, stews and vegetable, right before serving, to preserve the medicinal qualities, as heat and boiling destroy them. Garlic infused oils can be used topically.
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Grapes |
Vitis vinifera |
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Grapes are a naturaly powerful antioxitdent and grapeseed extracts are concentrated for maximine benefits.
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Hemp/Cannabis |
Cannabis sativa |
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Perhaps the most valued property of hemp (Cannabis sativa) is its percentage of essential fatty acids, which is higher than any other plant in the world.
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Henna |
Lawsonia inermis |
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Bridal couples in India decorate their hands and feet with intricate henna body art, referred to as Mehandi patterns
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Myrrh |
Commiphora myrrha |
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Natural myrrh resin is one of the oldest known perfumery materials. Myrrh has been used as a cleansing, purifying agent since ancient times.
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Oats |
Avena sativa L. |
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Oats have always had a reputation as a wholesome, healthy food. The grain is a rich source of complex sugars used by the body. Green oatstraw teas, oatstraw glycerin tincture, and oatmeal poultices and baths
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Red Poppy Flowers |
Papaver rhoeas |
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Red poppies have some folklore medicinal uses as a cough remedy,mild sedative and non-addictive sleep aid, though not nearly as potent as the related opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.
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Rose |
Rosa centifolia |
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Attar of rose is the steam-extracted essential oil from rose flowers that has been used in perfumes for centuries. Rose water, made from the rose oil, is widely used skin care. Use scented roses of a deep red color, or when dried of a deep rose tint. The main point is that the petals suitable for medicinal purposes must yield a deep rose-colored and somewhat astringent and fragrant infusion when boiling water is poured upon them.
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Safflower |
Carthamus tinctorius |
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The Safflower plant , known in India as Koosumbha and in china as Hoang-tchi, is extensively cultivated in India, China and
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Sesame |
Sesamum indicum |
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Sesame seeds, and sesame seed oil are used for food, and skin care and have a rich tradition of medicinal use
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Home Remedies for 
