Traditional Herbs of the Ancient 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 damascena which 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 frankincense, 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.

• 	Acacia	Acacia senegal	Gum Arabic, Cassie flower, Catechu, Egyptian thorn
  	Shrub : Herbalists use acacia gum to bind pills and lozenges and to stabilize emulsions. It is also used in aromatherapy for applying essential oils...

• 	Ajwain Seed	Trachyspermum ammi	Ajwan, Ajwon
  	herbaceous annual : The high concentration of essential oils in ajwain seeds, primarily thymol, give them an aroma and flavor resembling thyme, with a stronger bite...

• 	Alfalfa	Medicago sativa L.
  	Perennial Plant : Alfalfa is not recommended as primary treatment for any condition, alfalfa is a tonic herb, one that supports health by nourishing the body. Alfalfa is of special interest to women because of its estrogenic activity....

• 	Almond Oil	Prunus dulcis
  	Tree : Almond oil is used in skin care and aromatherapy as a carrier oil. Raw almonds are used in facial scrubs, and to make almond flour and almond butter...

• 	Asafoetida root	Ferula asafoetida	devil's dung, food of the gods, hing, narthex
  	: According to ayurvedic medicine, asafoetida is a valuable spice and remedy for nervous disorders, colic, bowel spasms, and for spasmodic coughing....

• 	Black Seed oil	Nigella sativa	Kalonjii, Black cumin, black caraway, Roman-coriander, fennel-flower
  	Annual Herb : Black cumin seed oil is used as a healthy dietary supplement. Black seed oil contains fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in a unique cell structure. ...

• 	Boswellia (Frankincense)	Boswellia thurifera	Olibanum, Indian Frankincense, Arabic Frankincense, and Salai guggal
  	Resinous tree : Boswellic acids are often combined with glucosamine to relieve the joint pain and inflammation of arthritis...

• 	Caraway Seed	Carum carvi
  	herb : Caraway, source of the crunchy seeds atop dark rye bread, is also one of the best carminative herbs, acting to prevent gas and bloating. Caraway is a good remedy for colds and congestion and helps to relax the muscles that cause coughing spasms....

• 	Castor Oil	Ricinus communis
  	Evergreen shrub/annual : Apply castor oil externally for muscle and arthritis pain, bruising and nerve damage. It is well suited to the slow relief of chronic pain and swelling...

• 	Cedarwood, Atlas	Cedrus atlantica	Atlas cedar
  	Evergreen Tree : Cedarwood is known for use in problem skin, as an insect repellent and as an inhalant in respiratory complaints....

• 	Cilantro	Coriandrum sativum	Chinese parsley, cilantro
  	Annual Herb : The leaves of young cilantro plants, which resemble flat-leaved parsley, are staples in Mexican, Chinese and Thai cooking, as are the roots. ...

• 	Cumin	Cuminum cyminum	cummin
  	herbaceous annual : Cumin is aromatic, containing up to 4 percent essential oil, warm, spicy and slightly sweet. ...

• 	Dill	Anethum graveolens
  	Annual Herb : Mouthwatering dill is carminative, it eases gas pains, bloating and settles the stomach. Both the leaves (dill weed) and seeds are used as a seasoning....

• 	Fenugreek	Trigonella foenum-graecum
  	Annual Herb : Fenugreek is a medicinal food plant that has the beneficial effect of lowering blood sugar....

• 	Garlic	Allium sativum	Poor Man's Treacle, Bawang, Bauang
  	Monocot Perennial : Readily available and inexpensive garlic may be the first line of defense in treating high blood pressure, and dealing with common skin and fungal infections....

• 	Grapes	Vitis vinifera	Grapeseed
  	: Grape skins contain the powerful antioxidant compound resveratrol, which has been shown in studies to protect against the effects of a high fat diet, lowering cholesterol that could lead to heart disease....

• 	Hemp Oil	Cannabis sativa
  	Annual Herb : 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. Although Cannabis sativa is illegal in the United States because of the dried leaves intoxica...

• 	Henna	Lawsonia inermis	Henna or Hina
  	: Henna is a natural hair colorant that seals in oils and tightens the hair cuticle giving your hair a rich, healthy shine....

• 	Mustard	Brassica nigra	Mustard Seed, Brown mustard
  	: Pungent mustard oil is antibacterial and antifungal, warm and stimulating....

• 	Myrrh	Commiphora myrrha
  	tree : One of the three gifts of the Three Magi, Myrrh was used in religious rituals in ancient Egypt, Myrrh's antifungal, antiseptic and astringent help treatment of infections...

• 	Oats	Avena sativa L.	Groats. Oatmeal. Oatstraw
  	: 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...

• 	Pomegranate	Punica granatum
  	: Pomegranates are touted for their heart protective antioxidants today, but ancient Egyptians loved them for their ability to kill tapeworms and other parasites. ...

• 	Red Poppy Flowers	Papaver rhoeas	corn poppy, corn rose, field poppy, Flanders poppy
  	Perennial wildflower : 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....

• 	Rose	Rosa spp
  	Perennial : Rose petals suitable for medicinal purposes are deeply rose-colored and fragrant....

• 	Safflower Oil	Carthamus tinctorius
  	Flowering annual : Safflowers are the richest source of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) . Safflower oil is used for both culinary and body care purposes...

• 	Sesame	Sesamum indicum
  	: Sesame seeds, and sesame seed oil are used for food, and skin care and have a rich tradition of medicinal use....