Abstract

The goal of this project is to develop sustainable strategies for the genetic preservation of medicinal and pesticidal species in Israel and related local knowledge. Project activities, which mainly involve working with local Arab farmers, include data collection and identification of endangered and endemic plant species that are identified as having medicinal and pesticidal properties. Local knowledge and historical textual material of plants and their uses will be documented. A study and evaluation of alternative types of gene banks will be conducted to determine which is the most appropriate form of gene bank to be established for further research and development in this context.

The project may lead to future research in the testing, processing, and marketing of medicinal plant and botanical pesticide products as a form of economic development, which similarly supports the sustainable use of this genetic diversity. In anticipation of this focus, researchers will make one international trip to an IDRC-sponsored medicinal plants network meeting in Asia or Central America to consider issues of safety and efficacy. In addition, the project will establish linkages with related projects in the Middle East, which may aid in the continuing development of a global medicinal plants network.

Post-Project Summary

Researchers carried out an extensive review of the old literature on medicinal plants with the aid of a botanist from the Hebrew University. The literature mentioned more than 600 species of medicinal plants used in the region, some of which are now rare while others have disappeared. They interviewed 31 Arabic medicinal practitioners in Palestine, Israel and the Golan Heights and compiled a list of the 83 species most commonly used. This list is appended to the final report, and indicates symptoms it is used to treat, the part of the plant used, and its name in Latin, Arabic and Hebrew. Thirteen of these plants were either not mentioned in the earlier literature or had different medical uses. The researchers noted that most practitioners, especially younger ones, did not collect medicinal plants themselves but bought them on the market. They concluded that this knowledge, like many of the plant species used in traditional medicine, is in danger of disappearing.

In the laboratory, researchers tested the efficacy of various medicinal plants in the treatment of liver diseases, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and neurological diseases. Some of the plant species tested showed notable effects as antioxidants. The research team began to identify the locations of the various species and to assess their vulnerability. They collected seeds, including some of species that are at risk, and stored them at the Research and Development Regional Center, The Galilee Society. They also held pilot workshops on medicinal plants for Palestinian women in Nablus and made contact with local farmers to assess their interest in cultivating medicinal plants. One of the researchers attended a biodiversity conference in Bangalore, India, where he learned about similar projects in other countries and made international contacts. Two of the researchers visited Egypt, Germany, Greece and Jordan and organized a network of researchers interested in medicinal plants in the region.

Recipient Institution(s)