Abstract

An ethno-medicinal survey was conducted in various parts of desert and semi desert ecosystem in Saudi Arabia with the aim to document ethnecological and medicinal value of Salvadora persica. It has been used by Muslim communities since centuries in traditional system of medicine. It remained a source of income and it is believed to be a type of religious toothbrush plant. The folklore uses, indigenous knowledge of local people, and traditional healers regarding S. persica were collected by using standard protocol. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that S. persica is a multipurpose plant. It is one of the commonly used plants for medicinal purposes as well as due to its ethno-ecological importance. Various parts of S. persica are used as: food, fruits, fodder, a source of lipids, gum and resins. In addition, it is also used as a honey bee rearing plant. Its root is regularly used as tooth brush throughout the country. During the current study, it was also noticed that S. persica is a service provider plant which is grown to provide shelter-belts and windbreaker for agriculture crops. It helps in reclamation of sand dune habitat and saline soil in arid ecosystem of Saudi Arabia. S. Persica is distributed throughout the arid and semi arid ecosystem of Saudi Arabia. However, its population suffers from serious environmental problems such as deforestation, soil degradation, loss of biodiversity and unsustainable livelihoods. The study concluded that S. persicahas high medicinal, economic and ecological values in arid and semiarid ecosystem of Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, its conservation status is highly threatened and detailed ecological study of S. persica is suggested to conserve its remaining population in Saudi Arabia.

Key words: Salvadora persica, medicinal uses, products, threats and conservation importance.