Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany
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Capparis zoharyi Inocencio, D.Rivera, Obón & Alcaraz
Capparaceae
- Capparis spinosa var. aegyptia (Lam.) Boiss. Capparis hierosolymitana Danin
- Caper
- Caper Bush
- Egyptian Caper
- Jerusalem Caper
- kubar / kabar كبار
- lasaf لصف
- qabar قبر
- shafallah شفلح
- tzalaf qotzani
- צָלָף קוֹצָנִי
Chamaephyte, Hemicryptophyte
- Disturbed habitats
- Hard rock outcrops
and other botanical details.
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Capparis zoharyi Inocencio, D.Rivera, Obón & Alcaraz
| System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatological | Rubefacient (reddens skin) |
Rubefacient | Crush dried root into fine powder & scatter over a plaster /poultice prepared beforehand (using a cloth spread with dough); apply to affected area for 5 min. |
Root | Z |
| Dermatological | Scabies & skin rash |
Scabicide | 1. Decoct root (+ ? whole plant: Z unclear) in water, cool, strain & apply to skin x2/day. |
? Whole plant, Root | Z |
| Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) | Earache |
Analgesic | Crush roots, heat in oil & use as ear drops several x/day until healed. |
Root | B |
| Gastrointestinal | Constipation |
Laxative | Cook fresh root in water + root of "el-'ulleiq" (Rubus sanguineus) & drink. |
Root | Z |
| Gastrointestinal | Nausea |
Anti-nausea | Grind fruits, add + " 'uruq-el-mudar" (Calotropis sp.) leaves (See NOTES) + "khar-el-hadid" (iron debris) & eat a little daily. |
Fruit | Z |
| General | Aching feet/ legs |
Analgesic | Cook leaves in tub of water, cool a little, immerse legs/ feet & massage vigorously. |
Leaf | Z |
| General | Fever |
Anti-pyretic | Apply compress of powdered root to abdomen. |
Root | Z |
| Helminth infections | Worms |
Anthelmintic, Vermifuge | Drink liquid of pickled fruits stored over a prolonged period. |
Fruit | Z |
| Kidney & Urinary Tract | Expel kidney stones/ sand |
Anti-lithic | Decoct root. (Admin. not specified.) |
Root | Z |
| Kidney & Urinary Tract | Kidney pain & inflammation |
Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory | Decoct root. (Admin. not specified.) |
Root | Z |
| Kidney & Urinary Tract | Urinary tract infection |
Anti-Infective | Decoct leaves & drink 1 cup x2/day until recovery. |
Leaf | B |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Back pain |
Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory | 1. Grind roots, place on gauze & apply as bandage to back for 10 min. |
Roots | B |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Muscle contraction & spasms of legs/ feet |
Anti-spasmodic, Muscle relaxant | Cook leaves in water tub, cool a little & immerse legs/ feet; massage vigorously. |
Leaf | Z |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Restore joint & muscle motion |
Non-specific | Crush dried root into fine powder & scatter over a plaster/poultice prepared beforehand (using a cloth spread with dough); apply to afflected area for 5 min. |
Root | Z |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Rheumatic pain |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | Decoct fresh root in water & use decoction to massage area a few times/day especially before sleeping. |
Root | Z |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Rheumatism in back |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | Grate fresh root, add to cloth bandage & apply to affected area. |
Root | Z |
| Nervous System | Migraine |
Analgesic | Grate fresh root, add to cloth bandage & apply to affected area. |
Root | Z |
| Nervous System | Sleep inducing |
Hypnotic | Grind fruits, add "'uruq-el-mudar" (Calotropis sp.) leaves + "khar-el-hadid" (iron debris) & drink. |
Fruit | Z |
| Opthalmic | Eye disease "ramad", causing inflammation conjunctivitis & ophthalmitis |
Anti-Infective, Anti-inflammatory | Extract juice from fresh leaves & apply as eye drops. |
Leaf | Z |
| Opthalmic | Eye inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory | Extract juice from leaves & use as eyedrops x2/day until healed. |
Leaf | B |
| Oral Health | Bad taste in mouth/ gingivitis/ strengthen teeth |
Anti-caries, Anti-gum disease, Mouth wash | Grind fruits, add "'uruq-el-mudar" (Calotropis sp.) leaves + "khar-el-hadid" (iron debris) & eat a little each day. |
Fruit | Z |
| Oral Health | Toothache |
Analgesic | 1. Macerate leaves in vinegar & rinse teeth. |
Leaf | Z |
| Reproductive Health | Sterility |
Fertility | Boil roots in water, filter & drink. 1 cup x2/day. |
Root | B |
| Respiratory | Cold |
Anti-Infective | Prepare watery extract/ infusion of leaves + little sugar & drink. |
Leaf | Z |
| Respiratory | Cough |
Anti-tussive | Decoct leaves & drink x1 cup x3/day. |
Leaf | B |
Other Uses
Capparis zoharyi Inocencio, D.Rivera, Obón & Alcaraz
| System/State | Complaint / Use | Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary | Preserve flowers/ buds |
Preservative / solvent | Collect flower buds, keep in dark for 3-4 hr, then place in vinegar, or vinegar + salt for 8 days. After pouring out vinegar & squeezing excess from buds, transfer to fresh vinegar. Replace vinegar again after 8 more days. Quantities used: 1L vinegar for 1 kg of buds (+ salt). or (for salt ) use a salt-saturated solution in water + slice of bread. |
Flower | Z |
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.
The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER - https://florapal.org/disclaimer/
Notes
Z notes that in several recipes, "uruq-el-mudar" is used translated as Calotropis sp. This name seems to be a combination of the Arabic names "usar" or "ashkar" used for Caloptropis procera and "madar" used for Calotropis gigantea
Cautions
Capparis zoharyi contains isothiocyanates (also found in cruciferous vegetables). While no serious adverse effects in humans have been reported, there is no information on its safety in large doses especially in preganacy and lactation.