ALHAGI MAURORUM AND TAMARIX APHYLLA -TWO MEDICINAL WEEDS MENTIONED IN HOLY QURAN AND AHADITH AND THEIR ETHNOMEDICINAL USES IN DISTRICT RAJHANPUR OF PAKISTAN

The present research work is based on two medicinal weeds: Alhagi maurorum and Tamarix aphylla (L.) mentioned in the 57 Ayat of Sura Al-Baqarah and 16 Ayat of Sura Saba in Holy Quran respectively. These plants were collected from Rajhanpur District, Punjab, Pakistan. The foremost purpose of this study is to document the knowledge of the ethnomedicinal significance of these plants in the light of Islam. An extensive and complete data was recorded. The comprehensive morphological character of these species was discussed. Botanical names, family, Quranic name, Arabic name, English name, Vernicular name, habit and habitat, distribution, parts used, medicinal uses are documented and references cited from Holy Quran, Ahadith.


INTRODUCTION
Holy Quran is not only the religious book but also scientific in nature that is proved by about 1000 of verses related to scientific knowledge. There are more than 900 verses that can describe to new scientific discoveries. There are 6600 verses which explain with a lot of normal aspect of life 1

AND TAMARIX APHYLLA
Alhagi maurorum has an anti-ulcerogenic affect as Tamarix aphyla possess strong anti-fungal activity 8 . It also possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and wound healing activity 9 .

ETHNOMEDICINAL USES
Alhagi maurorum is used to improve the eye sight of the eye.The flowers are ground into sugar and powder is used for eyes diseases, which clean the eyes. One tea spoon of powdered is taken in the morning one in the evening which improves eyesight 10 .
A decoction of Alhagi maurorum is used for skin eruption taken as a bath 11 . The powder of dry flowers is used for stomach pain. The roots are soaked in water and extract is useful for liver complaints. Egyptian us this plant as an antinociceptive 12 . It is also used as a blood purifier and as an expectorant as people of District Tank dispense its dry roots for kidney trouble (2g/per day) 13 . Other uses are Diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative 14 . Tamarix aphylla are applied as an astringent. The bark is bitter, astringent, powdered and in combination with oil and Kanala, it is used as an aphrodisiac. It is also employed as an application in eczema capitis and other diseases 15 . The smoke of the plant is given for treating fever 16

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The research work was conducted by reviewing the Holy Quran, Ahadith, and Islamic books.
Comprehensive and detailed information about

Parts used: Roots and flowers
Flowering period: April-September.

Folkmedicinal uses
The flowers are ground into sugar and powder is used for eyes diseases, which clean the eyes. One teaspoon of powdered is taken in the morning one in the evening which improves eyesight. The powder of dry flowers is used for stomach pain.
The roots are soaked in water and extract is useful for liver complaints.

References from Quran
And

References from Ahadith
Hazrat Khalid bin Umair Advi (R.A.) narrates that once during a journey with Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) we had nothing to eat except leaves of tamarisk 19 .
Hazrat Annus (R.A.) said (pointing towards a cup) that he took drinking substances (e.g. honey, water, milk etc.) in that cup and gave them to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam).

DISCUSSION
The second biggest religion in the world, with more than 1 billion followers is Islam. Islam has shown us the complete path in every aspect of life even in the field of health and medicine. After a complete Survey in District Rajhanpur, we found two medicinal weeds i.e. Alhagi maurorum and Tamarix aphylla.
The name of these two weeds is mentioned in Holy Quran and Ahadith. This proves that health is always a prime importance in Islam and Islam has