ISHS Acta Horticulturae 332: WOCMAP I - Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Conference: part 2 of 4
THE ROLE OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM OF THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE |
| Authors: | S. Paul, M. O.M. Tanira, Nabil R. Banna |
| Abstract:
The United Arab Emirates is part of the Arabian Peninsula which was one of the birth places of Herbal therapies. Herbal medicine constitutes a significant part of this country's heritage and until recently it was its main health-care system. At present, the UAE enjoys a nationwide modern health service. However, the people feel congenial to the use of herbal therapy. There is a strong public desire to develop traditional therapy to be included as a useful component of the health-care system. At present, one herbal centre is part of the primary health care level in Abu Dhabi. Another is being planned. These centres are constituted to receive patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, gastric ulcer, psoriasis, bronchial asthma.. etc. Two approaches to the study and development of herbal medicine in UAE are being planned. One is to evaluate traditional herbal recipes for their clinical efficacy and to test their toxicity in laboratory animals. Those recipes that will successfully pass these investigations will be recommended for clinical use. Those showing signs of toxicity or that are found ineffective will be discontinued. In the other approach, the indigenous plants of the country at large will be screened for their pharmacological activity. Those plants that prove effective will be further investigated in order to isolate pure compounds. | |
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