The goal of this paper is to describe beliefs and treatments for specific forms of Paralysis (falij) and other nervous dis- orders in the Middle East. Themes to be investigated include, the traditional medicinal practices used to treat Paralysis, as well as their curative methods using traditional herbal medicine. This paper is based on first and secondary sources; interviews with traditional healers, as well as patients who suffered from these disorders. The author found 152 plants species belonging to 58 families (see Appendix) that treat paralysis and other nervous disorders. The most significant plants species are found in the six families of herbs: Labiatae, Compositae, Umbelliferae, Papilionaceae, Liliaceae, and Solanaceae. Analysis of the findings shows that the Middle East is the geographic origin of both wild and cultivated me- dicinal plants. In this research the author found 152 plants species belonging to 58 families that treat parlay- sis and other nervous disorders. The most significant plants species are found in the six families of herbs: Labiatae with 21 plants, Compositae with 15 plants, Umbelliferae with 15 plants, and Papilionaceae with 10 plants, Liliaceae with 7 plants, Solanaceae with 6 plants. An appendex shows the whole families with their plants species.

This paper deals with the six representative families; the Latin name of the species is given first followed by the Arabic and English names