title: Solanaceae as medicinal plants in Israel.
abstract: In a recent survey, 106 local healers in Israel were interviewed concerning the use of Solanaceae as medicinal plants. The main findings reveal that: (a) only four species (Lycium europeaum, Solanum nigrum, Hyoscyamus aureus, Hyoscyamus albus) are extensively used today; (b) the use of some traditional plants has been almost abandoned (Datura spp., Mandragora autumnalis, Withania somnifera); (c) today all the plants are applied externally, they are rarely used as narcotics; (d) most use of these plants is local, only in a few cases is a uniform use found throughout the whole country, and in all ethnic groups; (e) the extensive distribution of modern, safe narcotics, sedatives and anaesthetics has reduced the use of the Solanaceae for these purposes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Evolution, Haifa University, Israel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dafni
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yaniv
mesh_terms: D005006:Ethnicity; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000145:classification; D012991:Solanaceous Alkaloids / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D012991:Solanaceous Alkaloids