Table 1 Medicinal uses of Christ's Thorn Jujube
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| Illness/uses | Parts and preparation | Region/ethnic group and reference | Historical references | World references |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]. | 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]. | ||
| Anodyne | Bark, leaves | Iraq [35]. | ||
| Muscle pains | Branches and leaves – inhale steam | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39]. | ||
| Soothe pains | Leaves | Yemenite Jews [40]. | ||
| Bruises | Fruit, leaves, seeds | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. | ||
| Chest pains, asthma | Fruit, leaves, seeds | X Century [41]. | Arabian peninsula [37]. | |
| Headache | Fruit, leaves, seeds | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. | ||
| Heart pains | Branches | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39]. | ||
| Eye inflammations | Powder of seeds, green leaves or roots as cataplasm. | Arabs, Bedouins [11]; Iraqi Jews [43]. | 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]. | Morocco, [42]. | |
| Hemorrhoids | Leaves | Yemenite Jews [40]; Iraqi Jews [43]. | XIII Century [25]. | |
| 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]. | ||
| Promoting pregnancy | Fruit – tea | Sinai and Negev Bedouins [36, 39]. | ||
| To ease prolonged labor | Leaves boiled and liquid drunk | Arabian peninsula [37]. Dhofar [38]. | ||
| Wounds | Application of fruit juice | Iraqi Jews [43]; Arabs [11]. | Ancient Egypt [2]. | Dhofar [38]. |
| Blisters | Fruit, leaves, seeds | 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 | Morocco, [42]. | ||
| Lung, chest and pectoral problems | Leaves or fruit | Iraqi Jews [43]. | 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]. | Jordan [12]. | |
| Fractures | Cataplasm of boiled leaves | Arabian peninsula [37]. | ||
| Emollient | Fruit or leaf infusion | Iraq [35]; Arabian peninsula [37]; Morocco, [42]. | ||
| Depurative | Fruit | Iraq [35]. | ||
| Cooling | Bark, leaves, fruit | Ancient Egypt [2, 44]. | Iraq [35]. | |
| Tonic | Bark, leaves | Ancient Egypt [2]. | Iraq [35]. | |
| Stomachic | Bark, leaves, fruit | Ancient Egypt [2, 44]. | Iraq [35]. | |
| Measles | Fruit infusion | Morocco [42]. | ||
| Febrifuge | Fruit infusion, resin | X Century [41]. | Morocco [42]. | |
| Snake bites | Wood ash in vinegar | Leaves for bee or wasp stings, XIIIth century [49]. | Morocco [42]. | |
| Astringent | Leaf infusion | 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 | Yemen [37]. | ||
| Colds | Fruit | Israel [47, 48]. | Jordan [12]. | |
| Weight reduction | Fruit | Israel [47, 48]. | Jordan [12]. | |
| Nervousness | Branches and leaves | Negev [36]. | ||
| Swollen organs | Fruit | Ancient Egypt [2]. | ||
| Diuretic | Wood | Ancient Egypt [2]. | ||
| Liver problems | Fruits | Ancient Egypt [2]. | ||
| Anus problems | Fruits | Coptic Egyptian Medicine [2]. |