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. 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. The aim of this mini-review is to highlight the traditional and novel applications of
this plant’s extracts and its major sesquiterpene ester, ferutinin. The phytochemical constituents and
the pharmacological uses of ferula hermonis crude extract and ferutinin specifically will be discussed.
