Urinary diseases and ethnobotany among pastoral nomads in the Middle East

The ethnobotany of Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) in Israel

This article surveys the ethnobotany of Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. in the Middle East from various aspects: historical, religious, philological, literary, linguistic, as well as pharmacological, among Muslims, Jews, and Christians. It is suggested that this is the only tree species considered "holy" by Muslims (all the individuals of the species are sanctified by religion) in addition to...

Functions of Ethnobotany in Iranian Nomadic Society: Boyer Ahmad Nomads/ Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province

Nomads’ indigenous knowledge consists of a bright and accurate observations on herbs, plants, animals, weather, soil, pests as well as the classification systems that is compatible with local conditions. According to the researchers and scholars of the field, due to the long-life and long term existence with this kind of knowledge, it enjoys accuracy and capability of prediction. In ...

Bridging Epistemologies and Integrating Indigenous Knowledge with Scientific Knowledge for Sustainable Development: A Case Study Among Iranian Nomads

The pastoral nomads of Iran, who had been able to achieve a “sustainable balance” between their environment and their economy throughout their history, are being held responsible for the degradation of the rangelands by the experts and state officials. The government of Iran has placed considerable resources into provision of advice and services to improve the natural resource status of Iranian...

Cultural Complexity of Pastoral Nomads

The role of Nucularia perrinii Batt. (Chenopodiaceae) in the camel-based Sahrawi social-ecological system

BACKGROUND Pastoral social-ecological systems (SESs) are adaptive and complex systems rooted in the extensive exploitation of forage plants for livestock-based livelihoods and culture. There are species and relations that are foundational to the existence of these SESs. Nucularia perrinii Batt. (Chenopodiaceae) is an endemic halophyte plant of central and western Sahara seldom cited in the scie...