INTRODUCTION
Main Non-Wood Forest Products
The main non-wood forest products (NWFP) of Oman are medicinal plants (e.g. Aloe barbadense, Commiphora quadricincta) and dyestuffs (e.g Carthamus tinctorius, Indigofera coerulea).
Other NWFP include fibres and tannins.
PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS
Medicines
Medicinal plants are used as health care products in traditional medicine in Oman. Listed below are the most important medicinal plants and their uses.
Tab. 1. Most important medicinal plants in Oman and their applications
Species |
Use |
Aloe barbadense |
to prepare a cooling eye ointment |
Ecbolium viride |
to make tooth cleaners |
Cassia sophera |
tea for stomach ache |
Petropyrum scoparium |
tonic to "strengthen the blood" |
Andrachne aspera |
various applications |
Monsonia helitropoides |
snake bite remedy |
Olea africana |
to make poultices for livestock wounds and sores |
Ephedra intermedia |
ointment for sores |
Commiphora quadricincta |
medicinal gum |
Source: Environmental profile (1981)
Dying and tanning
Dyestuffs such as Carthamus tinctorius (used in dying and cosmetics), Indigofera coerulea (used as a dye) and Pergularia tomentosa (used in leather making) are commonly used in Oman.
Utensils, handicrafts, construction material
Daphne mucronata is commonly used in Oman for fibre in bindings, and the leaf fiber of Agave sp. is used in rope making.
REFERENCES
Draft Environmental Profile of the Sultanate of Oman. 1981.
Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Environment Home. 2001. Plants and wild life in Oman. Internet: www.mme.gov.om, viewed on 5 June 2001.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This report has been realized in support to the FAO Forest Resource Assessment 2000. The content is mainly based on available information at FAO Headquarters in Rome and on information collected by Ms Sabra, American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
Additional information on NWFP in Oman would be appreciated and duly acknowledged.