Heliotropium fartakense O.Schwartz

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In Omani studies: Miller & Morris (1988) wrote that: "The mdicinal properties attributed to Heliotropium fartakense, (J: mesdizot, DA: remram), are not necessarily restricted to this species alone. (Local plant experts do not distinguish between plants that superficially resemble each other in the botanists do, in fact which has to be borne in mind by anyone enquiring into herbal medicinal expertise in a culture different from his own). This particular plant is very common throughout Dhofar, growing both in wet and dry areas and was important medicinally wherever it occurs. The plant is applied around a sore or wound, but was not allowed to come into contact with actual broken flesh. This mixture was also used to treat wounds and abrasions, as a haemostatic and astringent and to prevent infection. The crushed leaves were heated up in a little water, and the strained juice was painted around a painful, swollen ... or damaged eye, or to improve weak sight. It was used in this way to treat a patient with trachoma, after the offending eyelsh(es) had been removed. The leaves were pounded with salt (and sometimes also turmeric and ginger) and the paste applied to a painful swelling such as that resulting from a sprain or a damaged or dislocated joint, or to a raised gland. A similar mixture was also used to soothe pain and inflammation and to prevent infection in burn cases, both accidental and those following cauterization (a widely used remedial treatment for many conditions). A paste of leaves was packed into a malignant ulcer, especially in livestock, or into a deep and infected saddle sore in pack-animals. Skin sores on the face, impetigo, herpes, and the rashes of shingles, ringworm and eczema were also treated with a plaster made from the leaves and stems. A light bandage was kept on for a few days to keep flies off the lesion being treated until it healed. Cases of snakebite were also treated with a poultice of H. fartakense, and a decoction of fresh leaves and stems was used as an antipruritic. Indigestion and colic were treated by drinking water in which lightly crushed plants had been left to soak. Livestock on the whole avoid this plant, though desert camels graze on a variety of Heliotropium resembling this plant". (Ref. Plants of Dhofar).

*Ghazanfar, S. (2015). Flora of the Sultanate of Oman, vol.3: Loganiaceae – Asteraceae. Meise, National Botanic Garden of Belgium (Scripta Botanica Begica, Vol. 25). ISBN 9789082352511 ISSN 0779-2387. *https://en.wikipedia.org *Miller, A., Morris, M. (1988). Plants of Dhofar, the Southern Region of Oman: Traditional, Economic, and Medicinal Uses. Published by Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman; ISBN 10: 0715708082 ISSN 13: 9780715708088. *Patzelt, A. (2015). Oman Plant Red Data Book. Published by Diwan of Royal Court, Sultanate of Oman. Oman Botanic Garden Publication No. 1. ISBN 978-99969-50-10-0. *POWO (2023). ""Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org