Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter
Asteraceae (Compositae)
- Inula viscosa (L.) Desf.
- Clammy Inula
- False Yellowhead
- Sticky Fleabane
- Strong-smelling Inula
- Woody Fleabane
- Yellow Fleabane
- `irq al-tayoun عرق الطيون
- tayoun طيون
- טַיּוּן דָּבִיק
- tayun daviq
Chamaephyte
- Disturbed habitats
- Humid habitats
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distribution and other botanical details.
Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter
| System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatological | Eczema & Tinea infection ( Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin ) |
Anti-fungal, Anti-inflammatory | Prepare poultice from crushed green leaves & apply. |
Leaf | Z |
| Gastrointestinal | Diarrhea |
Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal | 1. Cook fresh plant in water & drink. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| General | Induce perspiration & lower fever |
Anti-pyretic, Diaphoretic | Prepare juice from crushed leaves + Oxalis sp. leaves & drink. |
Leaf | Z |
| General | Oedema; "zalal" |
Anti-hydropic | Cook plant in water in closed pot + "rand" (Laurus sp.) (See NOTES 2) + "maryameyeh" (Salvia fruticosa ) + "feijan" (Ruta sp.). Patient dressed in loose gown stands over the rising steam as long as possible then goes to bed & keeps warm. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Reset badly healed bone fracture |
Vulnerary | Cook plant in water in closed pot + "feijan" (Ruta) + "maryameyeh" (Salvia fruticosa ) + branches of "el-ghar" (Laurus sp.) + "el-butum" (Pistacia atlantica) + "saris" (Pistacia lentiscus) + "sarw" (Cupressus sp.). Place affected limb in steam for few minutes. When removed, bone fracture can be lightly tapped to reset correctly. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Rheumatic pain in back/legs /arms & muscles |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | 1. Decoct whole plant (aerial parts +root) in water & add to hot bath; bathe body or affected area. |
1.Whole plant (aerial parts + root ) 2. Root alone 3. Aerial parts alone | Z |
| Oral Health | Toothache |
Analgesic | Chew fresh leaves to alleviate pain. |
Leaf | B |
| Respiratory | Asthma |
Anti-asthmatic | Boil whole plant (aerial parts + root) in water & inhale steam x1/day or as needed. |
Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
| Respiratory | Influenza/ runny nose, cough |
Anti-Infective, Anti-catarrhal, Anti-tussive | Boil whole plant (aerial parts + root) in water & inhale steam x1/day or as needed. |
Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
| Women`s Health | Postpartum inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory | Boil roots in water until viscous & apply as poultice to affected area. |
Root | B |
| Women`s Health | Prevent pregnancy |
Contraceptive | Prepare hot bath using plant & stand over steam for few minutes on last day of period. Afterwards, eat mixture of "bu'ithran" (Teucrium polium) (See NOTES 3) + cloves (Eugenia sp.) + honey for 3 days. |
Aerial parts | Z |
| Women`s Health | Renew (promote) menstrual flow |
Emmenagogue | Decoct plant (part unspecified) +"feijan" (Ruta sp.) + olive buds & use in a steam bath. |
Not specified | Z |
| Women`s Health | Vaginal inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory | Decoct whole plant (aerial parts + root) in water in closed pot & either: 1. Sit over steam or |
Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
| Wound Healing | Extract pus from purulent wound |
Anti-Infective, Vulnerary | Prepare powder of dried leaves & apply to wound. |
Leaf | Z |
| Wound Healing | Inflammed burn |
Anti-Infective, Vulnerary | Prepare infusion of aerial parts & apply to affected skin. |
Aerial parts | B |
| Wound healing | Stop bleeding from a fresh wound |
Haemostatic | Apply dried powdered leaves to wound. |
Leaf | Z |
| Wound Healing | Wound treatment & prevent infection |
Anti-Infective, Vulnerary | 1.Powder dried leaves & apply to wound. |
Leaf. Aerial parts | Z |
Other Uses
Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter
| System/State | Complaint / Use | Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinary | Flatulence in animals |
Carminative | Decoct leaves, filter & add to drinking water of animals (sheep, cows, goats, donkeys). |
Leaf | B |
| Veterinary | Improves appetite in animals |
Stomachic | Decoct leaves, filter & add to animal`s drinking water. |
Leaf | B |
| Veterinary | Respiratory problems in animals |
Anti-Infective | Decoct leaves, filter & add to animal`s drinking water. |
Leaf | B |
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.
1. Z mentions that treatment for rheumatic pain with this species is forbidden for women as it may cause sterility.
2. In the recipe for oedema Z uses another arabic name, "rand" for Laurus sp. He also refers to this tree as "el ghar" or "ghar"
3. In the recipe for preventing preganacy, Z notes that one of the ingredients is "bu'eithran" which he identifies as Teucrium polium (a synonym of Teucrium capitum). However this is not the common Arabic name for this species which is known as "jada". Thecommon Arabic name for Artemesia judaica however is "b'eithran"
1. Dittrichia genus contain species with sesquiterpene lactones & cause contact allergic skin conditions. Oral use may cause diarrhea, vomiting , spasm & paralysis. Can interfere with drugs for diabetes & hypertension. Contraindiacted in pregancy & nursing mothers.
2. Z mentions that treatment for rheumatic pain with this species is forbidden for women as it may cause sterility!