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Illness/uses | Parts and preparation | Region/ethnic group and reference | Historical references | World references |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]. |