Cyclamen persicum

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Cyclamen persicum Miller

Primulaceae

  • Cyclamen
  • Persian Cyclamen
  • sabunet el-ra'i صابونة الراعي
  • za'matut زعمطوط
  • zquqiya زقوقيا
  • raqefet metzuya
  • רַקֶּפֶת מְצוּיָה

Geophyte

  • Batha
  • Mediterranean maquis and forest
  • Phrygana
Click Flora of Israel Online to view distribution
and other botanical details.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Cyclamen persicum Miller

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/ Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cancer

Cancer

Anti-carcinogenic

1. Cut washed corm (see NOTES 1) into small pieces, boil in water, filter & drink x1 cup/day until recovery.
2. Add leaves (when in season) to boiling water for 3 min; fill leaves with rice & meat, cook & eat.

Corm, Leaf B
Dermatological

Baldness

Hair restorer

Rub skin of scalp with wollen cloth until irritated, then rub with plant tuber.

Tuber Z
Dermatological

Dermatitis

Anti-inflammatory

Extract juice from corm & apply to affected area x2/day until healed.

Corm B
Dermatological

Dry skin

Emollient

Decoct 200 gm of leaves in 0.5 L water for 10 min & apply to affected area x3/day.

Leaf B
Dermatological

Lichen planus (See NOTES 2)

Anti-inflammatory

Extract juice of corms & apply to affected area x2/day, morning & evenings until healed.

Corm B
Dermatological

Skin inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Apply corm juice to affected skin x 2/day for 1 week.

Corm B
Gastrointestinal

Haemorrhoids

Anti-haemorrhoidal

1. Decoct corm in water & apply locally x3/day until healed. (B)
2. Crush corms, squeeze, knead + flour, shape into chickpea form & use as suppositary. (B)
3. Mix crushed tuber + cumin + "kamnon ha-anis" (or "yansun"), (Pimpinella anisum) & make into pills. (Admin. not described but probably used as suppository.) (Z)

Corm, Tuber B, Z
General

Thirst quencher

Refrigerant

Use juice of stems bearing flowers (Admin. not specified.)

Stem Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Arthritis

Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory

Boil corms in water for 5 min, cool & apply to affected area x2/day for 1 week.

Corm B
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Sprain

Vulnery

Crush fresh tuber, apply to painful area & bandage.

Tuber Z
Nervous System

Chronic headache

Analgesic

Mix dried, ground tuber + dry ground tobacco & use as snuff.

Tuber Z
Respiratory

Respiratory congestion

Decongestant

Decoct corm & drink x1 cup/day until well

Corm B
Respiratory

Shortness of breath (asthma)

Anti-asthmatic

Clean, peel & squeeze tubers to extract juice & inhale x2 drops into nose for 3 days.

Corm B
Venoms, Bites & Stings

Scorpion & bee sting

Anti-venom

Rub stung area with fresh tuber.

Tuber Z
Wound Healing

Abscess/ boils

Anti-Infective, Vulnerary

Extract juice from ground corms & apply to affected area x3/day for 3 days.

Corm B
Wound Healing

Burn

Vulnerary

Extract juice from corm & apply to affected area x2/day for 3 days.

Corm B

Other Uses

Cyclamen persicum Miller

System/State Complaint / Use Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/Administration
Parts Used
Source
Industrial

Laundering

Cleaning product

Tuber used for laundry. (Preparation not specified.)

Tuber 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.

Notes

1. Both corm and tuber are used in describing the part of Cyclamen used in these preparations. Both terms refer to underground storage units. A corm is a solid short, vertical, swollen underground stem base, round with a basal plate like a bulb, but flatter in appearance. It is used by some plants to survive adverse conditions e.g summer drought/ heat. A tuber is a short underground stem. Cyclamen grows from a round tuber that develops from the hypocotyl (stem of a seedling). It is often mistakenly called a corm.
2. Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory/ immune-mediated disease affecting skin, nails, hair & mucous membranes with several causes. It appears as swelling & irritation on affected area.
3. Z notes that other Arabic names for Cyclamen include "sabun/ sabunat el-ra'I" ( shepherd's soap) & "bakur miriam" which is also used for frankincense.

Cautions

Cyclamen genus contains species with toxic triterpene saponins. Small amounts (300mg) can cause diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting. Higher doses can cause asphyxiation.