Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants native to the mountains of Jazan, southwestern Saudi Arabia

This exclusive study focuses on the medicinal plants indigenous to the mountains of South Western Saudi Arabia, resulting in the documentation of 83 vascular plant species belonging to 69 genera and 33 families. Among these, 34 plants are noted for their previously unrecorded medicinal properties, including the documentation of new medicinal plants such as Pyrostria phyllanthoidea and Chenopodium fasciculosum. Fabaceae emerges as the dominant family, with 11 medicinal plant species, followed by Apocynaceae, Asteraceae, Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Moraceae. The most abundant genus is Vachellia, represented by 4 species, followed by Euphorbia, Ficus, Indigofera, Aloe, Capparis, Cissus, Commiphora, and Ziziphus. The medicinal plants encompass various growth forms, with shrubs being the most commonly observed, followed by herbs, trees, and climbers. Leaves are the most frequently used plant part for medicinal preparations, followed by stems, roots, latex, bark, and fruits. The preparations primarily involve making a paste, followed by raw use, infusion, and decoction. Diverse routes of administration are noticed, including topical, oral, toothbrush, nasal, and optical applications. Among the species surveyed, Salvadora persica stands out as the most useful, with a significant use value of 1.9. The informant consensus factor (FIC) analysis highlights 48 use reports for treating cuts and wounds. Furthermore, 42 species exhibit 100% fidelity, indicating a high preference among informants for their effectiveness in treating specific ailments. To safeguard and preserve this traditional knowledge for future generations, further scientific documentation, along with phytochemical and pharmacological studies, is essential. This study underscores the importance of conserving the rich ethnobotanical heritage of medicinal plants in the region and encourages further exploration of their potential therapeutic benefits.