Uses, local practices and side effects of six medicinal plants in the sultanate of Oman: A review article

Abstract

Over the years, ethno-botanical and traditional medicine has received great interest by our society. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has sixty herbal medicines registered for ethno-medical usage in Oman, with acknowledged use by 80-99% of the population. These plants are, collectively, believed to have analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral and in some instances immune modulatory properties. Despite being widely used locally, the majority of people are oblivious about the possible side effects that follow erroneous usage. As plants have been widely incorporated in traditional medicine, plant poisoning has become a worldwide concern. Locally, these plants appear to be readily available all over the Country. This article discusses six different plants that are used frequently by the natives of Oman and are widely available here; being Nerium oleander, Adenium obesum, Euphorbia cactus, Ficus cordata, Datura metel and Calotropis procera. The aim is to highlight the distribution of those plants in the Country, their medical and non-medical uses, poisonous parts and finally toxicity and possible side effects. The objective is to increase awareness among physicians, health care workers and the public about plants and their effects.