Among all respondents, the most commonly used herbal medicines were black seed (Nigella sativa) (20%), anise (Pimpinella anisum) (13%), olibanum (Boswellia sacra) (12%), ginger (Zingiber officinale) (11%), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) (10%), guava (Psidium guajava) leaf (10%), olive (Olea europaea) oil (9%), thyme (Thymus vulgaris) (6%), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) (5%), peppermint (Menthapiperita) (5%), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) (5%), turmeric (Curcuma longa) (4%), costus (Saussurea lappa) (4%), sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi) (3%), myrrh (
Commiphora myrrha) (3%), Ivy (Hedera helix) (3%), sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil (3%).
The bioactivity of oils and extracts obtained species
Commiphora myrrha, Styrax benzoin, and Boswellia papyrifera has been investigated by several researches [22-31]; these aromatic resins basically consist of monoterpenes (C10H16), triterpenes (C30H48), and sesquiterpenes (C15H24) with unique combinations, besides benzoic, myrrholic, andboswellic acids, respectively [32-37]; the demonstration of the presence of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants oils, extracts, and resins provides a scientific validation for the popular use of these plants [38-42].
Such concerns are already evident in east Africa, where poor management practices such as deforestation, over-grazing and unsustainable harvesting have led to a decline in the number of
Commiphora myrrha species (Tadesse et al.
Gum of
Commiphora myrrha, as a medicinal plant, is reported to have antibacterial and anticancer effects.
Boswellia sacra is the commonest species providing Frankincense and
Commiphora myrrha provides Myrrh.
Although we associate frankincense (Boswellia thurifera) and myrrh (
commiphora myrrha) with the gifts brought to Jesus by the Three Kings, they also can in fact be classified as spices.
Myrrh Slug Barrier is available at Ceramik Stores in Penarth Road, Cardiff, and Swansea Enterprise Centre, as well as online from www.slugs.biz.: A heady mix:Myrrh is a red-brown resinous material, the dried sap of the
Commiphora myrrha tree, indigenous to Somalia.
4, October 1985, Page 475, "Arabias Frankincense Trail") The Myrrh (
Commiphora myrrha) tree is also just as scraggly looking and grows in Somalia and Yemen.