Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Alhagi maurorum Medik.

Family

Leguminosae(Fabaceae)

Synonym(s)

Alhagi camelorum Fisch.

English name(s)

Alhagi Manna
Camel Thorn

Arabic Name(s)

'aqul عاقول
shabraq شبرق
shirsh el-'aqul شرش العاقول
taranjamin / tranjemin / tranjamin طرنجمين / ترنجمين
taranjamish طرنجمش

Hebrew Name(s)

haga metzuya

הָגָה מְצוּיָה

Life Form

Shrubby perennial

Habitat

Fields and salty habitats

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Alhagi maurorum Medik.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Dermatological	Skin lesions	Non-specific	Cook manna (sugary secretion on leaves)(see NOTES) in water & drink.	Exudate	Z
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain	Carminative	1. Infuse " manna" (sugary secretion on leaves),(see NOTES) in hot water & drink infusion. 2. Decoct "manna" in water & drink.	Exudate	Z
Gastrointestinal	Cleanse stomach	Depurative	Boil "manna" (sugary secretion on leaves) (See NOTES) in water & use as enema.	Exudate	Z
Gastrointestinal	Constipation	Laxative	1. Decoct "manna" (sugary secretion on leaves),(see NOTES), in water, strain & drink or use as enema (for "cleansing stomach"). 2. Heat "manna" without liquid until it turns red, rinse, put in container + almond oil + "barhang" (? Plantago sp. or species in Cruciferae family) + "gule gavzabon" (Anchusa azurea) (See NOTES 3) ; cook & drink x1 cup.	Exudate	Z
Gastrointestinal	Jaundice	Hepatic	Use"manna"(sugary secretion on leaves), (see NOTES) (Preparation/Admin. not specified).	Exudate	Z
Gastrointestinal	Lack of appetite	Stomachic	Cook "manna" (sugary secretion on leaves), (see NOTES) in water to thick mash & eat.	Exudate	Z
General	Fever	Anti-pyretic	Cook "manna" ( sugary secretion on leaves)(see NOTES) in water & drink.	Exudate	Z
General	Weakness	Tonic	Cook "manna"(sugary secretion on leaves),(see NOTES) in water to thick mash & eat.	Exudate	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Rheumatism/ joint pain	Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	Prepare poultice of roots + flour & apply to affected area for 3 hr.	Root	B
Respiratory	"Angina" (sore throat) & flu.	Anti-Infective, Demulcent	Decoct "manna" (sugary secretion on leaves), (see NOTES) & drink.	Exudate	Z
Respiratory	Colds	Anti-Infective	Decoct "manna" (sugary secretion on leaves),(see NOTES), strain & drink.	Exudate	Z

Other Uses

Alhagi maurorum Medik.

System/State	Complaint / Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/Administration	Parts Used	Source
Culinary	Food	Nutritive	1. Roots are eaten (Preparation not specified). (see NOTES) 2. Manna (sugary secretion exuding from twigs) is eaten during flowering season.	Branch /twig, Root	Z

System/State

Complaint / Use

Activity / Interpretation

Traditional
Preparation/Administration

Parts Used

Source

Culinary

Food

Nutritive

1. Roots are eaten (Preparation not specified). (see NOTES)
2. Manna (sugary secretion exuding from twigs) is eaten during flowering season.

Branch /twig, Root

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Notes

1. "Manna" used by Z describes a sugary secretion derived from the leaves & twigs of the Alhagi genus. The name appears in both the Bible & Quran. It has also been used to describe the resin/exudate from other trees and plants.
2. Z notes that both the roots & manna ( sugary secretion) from twigs are consumed by nomadic Bedouin particularly during times of need.
3. In the recipe for constipation Z mentions the addition of "gule gavzabon" which he refers to as Anchusa azurea. However in Persian "Gol gav zaban" is Borage officinalis.

Cautions

Alhagi genus has species that contain akaloids & coumarin derivatives in twigs & roots. Historically (not proven) considered harmful to kidneys & prohibited in acute fever, smallpox, typhoid, bloody diarrhea & haemorrhage.