Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Lens culinaris Medik.

Family

Leguminosae (Fabaceae)

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Lentil

Arabic Name(s)

`adas عدس

Hebrew Name(s)

adasha tarbutit

עֲדָשָׁה תַּרְבּוּתִית

Life Form

Annual, Climber

Habitat

Disturbed habitats

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Lens culinaris Medik.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Dermatological	Itch/ pruritis	Anti-pruritic	Cook lentil seeds in water briefly & use watery extract to wash affected area.	Seed	Z
Gastrointestinal	Diarrhea	Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal	Prepare soup from seeds. (Admin. not specified.)	Seed	Z
Gastrointestinal	Heartburn & gastric acidity	Antacid	1.Eat dried seeds. (Z) 2. Eat ground seeds or roast seeds first, then grind & eat. (Z) 3. Cook seeds in water & eat. (Z) 4. Eat uncooked seeds as needed. (B)	Seed	Z, B
Gastrointestinal	Jaundice	Hepatic	Prepare soup from seeds. (Admin. not specified.)	Seed	Z
Haematology	Anaemia	Anti-anaemic	Make soup from seeds by cooking & eat x1 plate (portion)/day.	Seed	B
Infectious Diseases	Chicken pox	Anti-Infective	Prepare soup from seeds. (Admin. not specified.)	Seed	Z
Infectious Diseases	Measles	Anti-Infective	Cook seeds & drink the water. Consistently eat sweet foods.	Seed	Z
Opthalmic	Eye pain	Analgesic	Cook lentils in water, sprinkle the water on cotton wool & apply to painful eye.	Seed	Z
Oral Health	Strengthen teeth & gums & prevent bleeding	Anti-caries, Anti-gum disease	1. Prepare flour from lentil seeds + flour made from crushed eggshells (Admin. not specified.) 2. Cook seeds in water + dried rose petals + young vine leaves + myrtle (Myrtus communis) leaves & use as gargle.	Seed	Z
Women`s Health	Promote lactation	Galactagogue	Make soup from seeds by cooking & eat x1 plate (portion) / day.	Seed	B
Wound Healing	Burn	Vulnerary	Mix roasted ground seeds + olive or castor oil & apply to burn.	Seed	Z
Wound Healing	Stop wound bleeding & prevent infection	Anti-septic, Haemostatic	Grind roasted seeds & apply to wound.	Seed	Z

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Notes

Cautions

Z notes that lentils (Lens culinaris) can cause abdominal bloating (gas).