TITLE:
Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Traditional Healers in the Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia
AUTHORS:
Noorah Saleh Al-Sowayan, Shahad AlSaawi, Rawan AlHarbi, Ghada AlHarbi
KEYWORDS:
Ethnobotany, Medicinal Plants, Traditional Medicine, Traditional Healers, Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology,
Vol.17 No.11,
November
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: The use of medicinal plants in traditional healing is deeply rooted in Saudi culture. Despite the botanical diversity of the Al-Qassim region, ethnobotanical documentation of this area remains limited. This study aimed to document medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Al-Qassim to treat various ailments and to compare these uses with the available scientific literature. Methods: A structured questionnaire was administered through face-to-face interviews with 20 traditional healers (16 women and 4 men) conducted in the local Arabic dialect between 14 March and 25 April 2026. Data collected included local plant names, medicinal uses, and preparation methods. The Frequency Index (FI) and Use Value (UV) were calculated for each plant species. Results: A total of 33 medicinal plant species belonging to 17 families were documented. The Asteraceae family was the most represented (15.15%, 5 species), followed by Apiaceae and Fabaceae (15.15% each, 5 species each) and Lamiaceae (12.12%, 4 species). Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) recorded the highest frequency of use (75% each). Seeds were the most commonly used plant part (30.3%), and herbs were the predominant growth form (57.6%). Pimpinella anisum recorded the highest Use Value (UV = 1.55). Documented species were grouped into six therapeutic categories, with gastrointestinal disorders representing the largest group (10 species). Conclusion: The Al-Qassim region harbours substantial traditional knowledge about medicinal plants. This survey provides baseline data to guide future pharmacological and phytochemical research, and underscores the importance of documenting traditional knowledge before it is lost.