From: The ethnobotany of Christ's Thorn Jujube (Ziziphus spina-christi) in Israel
Illness/uses | Parts and preparation | Region/ethnic group and reference | Historical references | World references |
---|---|---|---|---|
Toothache, gum problems | Rubbing the teeth/gums with root powder (or bark) | Arabs, Bedouins [11]. | Â | Iraq [35]; Arabian peninsula [37]. |
Arthritis | Paste of crushed roots, leaves or branches; branches and leaves – inhale steam | Arabs, Bedouins [11, 36]. |  | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. |
General painkiller | Paste of crushed roots or branches and flour is applied | Arabs, Bedouins [11]. | Â | Â |
Anodyne | Bark, leaves | Â | Â | Iraq [35]. |
Muscle pains | Branches and leaves – inhale steam | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39]. |  |  |
Soothe pains | Leaves | Yemenite Jews [40]. | Â | Â |
Bruises | Fruit, leaves, seeds | Â | Â | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. |
Chest pains, asthma | Fruit, leaves, seeds | Â | X Century [41]. | Arabian peninsula [37]. |
Headache | Fruit, leaves, seeds | Â | Â | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. |
Heart pains | Branches | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39]. | Â | Â |
Eye inflammations | Powder of seeds, green leaves or roots as cataplasm. | Arabs, Bedouins [11]; Iraqi Jews [43]. | Â | Egypt (Bedouins) [42]. |
Stomach disorders: aches, constipation, heartburn. | Decoction of seeds leaves or fruit is drunk. | Arabs, Bedouins [11]. | Ancient Egypt [2], (X Century [41, 45]. | Iraq [35]; Morocco, [42]. Iberian Peninsula, 13th century [46]. Dhofar [38]. |
Anthelmintic | Fruit, seed or leaf infusion | Arabs, Bedouins [11], Iraqi Jews [43]. | Â | Morocco, [42]. |
Hemorrhoids | Leaves | Yemenite Jews [40]; Iraqi Jews [43]. | XIII Century [25]. | Â |
Diarrhea | Fruit or leaf infusion | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39], Yemenite Jews [40]; Iraqi Jews [43]. | Ancient Egypt [2], X Century [41]; XIII [25]. | Morocco, [42]. |
Increase milk production | Leaves boiled and liquid drunk | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39]. | Â | Â |
Promoting pregnancy | Fruit – tea | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39]. |  |  |
To ease prolonged labor | Leaves boiled and liquid drunk | Â | Â | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. |
Wounds | Application of fruit juice | Iraqi Jews [43]; Arabs [11]. | Ancient Egypt [2]. | Dhofar [38]. |
Blisters | Fruit, leaves, seeds | Â | Â | Arabian peninsula [37]. |
Burns | Fruit – crushed and boiled | Iraqi Jews [43]. |  |  |
Skin diseases and disorders | Boiled or crushed leaves, resin | Iraqi Jews [43]. | X Century [41]. | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. |
Abscesses and furuncles | Cataplasm of boiled leaves | Â | Â | Morocco, [42]. |
Lung, chest and pectoral problems | Leaves or fruit | Iraqi Jews [43]. | Â | Iraq [35]; Arabian peninsula [37]; Iberian Peninsula, 13th century [46]. |
Blood purifier and tonic | Leaves or fruit | Yemenite Jews [40]. | Ancient Egypt [2, 44]. | Iraq [35]; Arabian peninsula [37]; Dhofar [38]; |
High blood pressure | Leaves | Israel [47, 48]. | Â | Jordan [12]. |
Fractures | Cataplasm of boiled leaves | Â | Â | Arabian peninsula [37]. |
Emollient | Fruit or leaf infusion | Â | Â | Iraq [35]; Arabian peninsula [37]; Morocco, [42]. |
Depurative | Fruit | Â | Â | Iraq [35]. |
Cooling | Bark, leaves, fruit | Â | Ancient Egypt [2, 44]. | Iraq [35]. |
Tonic | Bark, leaves | Â | Ancient Egypt [2]. | Iraq [35]. |
Stomachic | Bark, leaves, fruit | Â | Ancient Egypt [2, 44]. | Iraq [35]. |
Measles | Fruit infusion | Â | Â | Morocco [42]. |
Febrifuge | Fruit infusion, resin | Â | X Century [41]. | Morocco [42]. |
Snake bites | Wood ash in vinegar | Â | Leaves for bee or wasp stings, XIIIth century [49]. | Morocco [42]. |
Astringent | Leaf infusion | Â | Â | Morocco [42]; Iraq [35]. |
Hair problems | Liquid from branches, fruit, leaves, seeds, resin. | Arabs [11]; Iraqi Jews [43]. | X Century [41]; XIII Century [25]. | Southwestern Saudi Arabia [50]; Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. |
Infant's powder | Powdered leaves | Â | Â | Yemen [37]. |
Colds | Fruit | Israel [47, 48]. | Â | Jordan [12]. |
Weight reduction | Fruit | Israel [47, 48]. | Â | Jordan [12]. |
Nervousness | Branches and leaves | Negev [36]. | Â | Â |
Swollen organs | Fruit | Â | Ancient Egypt [2]. | Â |
Diuretic | Wood | Â | Ancient Egypt [2]. | Â |
Liver problems | Fruits | Â | Ancient Egypt [2]. | Â |
Anus problems | Fruits | Â | Coptic Egyptian Medicine [2]. | Â |