Abstract:
This paper aims to document the distribution and uses of medicinal plants in the Fertile Crescent region, particularly within the framework of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The study employs a scoping review methodology to collect and analyze all available documents in seven databases, with inclusion criteria limited to Arabic and English documents from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. The research questions include the documented medicinal plants in the region, the unique or threatened natural habitats of native medicinal plants, the extent of commercialization of medicinal plants, and the conservation status of these plants. The study also discusses the urgent need to document plant species due to the reliance on CAM in developing countries and the overharvesting and vanishing of medicinal plant species. A database will be established to document medicinal plants in the Fertile Crescent area. The paper concludes with discussions on the ecological status of medicinal plants, their conservation status, sustainable cultivation protocols, and the necessity for further research on cultivation and conservation efforts.
