Habitat and ecology
Crude extracts and isolated compounds of ferula hermonis contain phytoestrogenic substances having a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties including anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, anti-cancer and as sexual activity enhancer.
Identification
Ferula hermonis Boiss, is an endemic plant of Lebanon, locally known as “shilsh Elzallouh”. It has been extensively used in the traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and for the treatment of sexual impotence. Found in the higher elevation of Mount Hermon is one of the important medicinal plants cultivated in Lebanon.
Ferula hermonis
Ferula hermonis is a flowering plant in the Apiaceae family. The epithet hermonis refers to Mount Hermon. Common names include zallouh (Arabic: شلشل الزلّوع) and Lebanese viagra. The latter name alludes to the traditional use of the roots of this plant as a purported aphrodisiac.
