Earliest Use of Psychoactive and Medicinal Plant 'Harmal' Identified in Iron Age Arabia

Metabolic profiling reveals first evidence of fumigating drug plant Peganum harmala in Iron Age Arabia

The utilization of medicinal and psychoactive plants in the past represents a pivotal intersection of culture, health, and biodiversity. While such plants in Arabia have been known from classical and medieval textual records, this study provides material evidence of the use of one such plant for fumigation already in the Iron Age. Through metabolic profiling of organic residues recovered from archaeological artefacts at the oasis of Qurayyah, No…

An Austrian-German research team analyzed residues for archaeological finds – and proved the earliest use of the plant on the Arabian Peninsula 2700 years ago.

Earliest use of psychoactive and medicinal plant 'harmal' identified in Iron Age Arabia

New research published in Communications Biology has uncovered the earliest known use of the medicinal and psychoactive plant Peganum harmala, commonly known as Syrian rue or harmal, in fumigation practices and inhaled as smoke.

A study published in Communications Biology has discovered the oldest known use of the medicinal and psychoactive plant Peganum harmala, commonly known as Syrian rough or harma ...

Earliest use of psychoactive and medicinal plant 'Harmal' identified in Iron Age Arabia

In an old oasis remains of the plant used for incense have been found. It may have been used for healing and not for rites.