Smilax aspera L.
Smilacaceae
- Common Smilax
- Rough Bindweed
- `ulleiq عليق
- קִיסוֹסִית קוֹצָנִית
- qisusit qotzanit
Climber, Phanerophyte shrub
- Mediterranean maquis and forest
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distribution and other botanical details.
Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Smilax aspera L.
| System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer | Cancer |
Anti-carcinogenic | Decoct roots & stems in water & drink without sugar. |
Root, Stem | Z |
| Dermatological | Dandruff & hair loss |
Anti-dandruff, Hair restorer | Crush burned dried leaves into fine powder, mix + sesame oil; after shaving, washing & drying scalp apply as salve x2/day for 1 mth or longer. |
Leaf | Z |
| Dermatological | Skin diseases |
Non-specific | Crush burned dried leaves into fine powder, mix + sesame oil; after shaving, washing & drying the scalp apply as a salve x2/day for 1 mth or longer. |
Leaf | Z |
| Gastrointestinal | Digestive tract diseases |
Non-specific | Prepare infusion of rhizome & drink. |
Rhizome | Z |
| Haematology | Weakness/ lack of blood in body (anaemia) |
Anti-anaemic | Decoct leaves in water & drink ? cup x3/day. |
Leaf | Z |
| Mental Health | Nervous irritability |
Anxiolytic | Prepare infusion of rhizome in water & drink. |
Rhizome | Z |
| Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Rheumatic pain in muscles/ joints |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | Apply drops of juice from fresh stem onto skin causing a cold burn which is healing. |
Stem | Z |
| Wound Healing | Wounds & external lesions |
Vulnerary | Dry & grind rhizome into powder & apply to lesion. |
Rhizome | 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.
Smilax genus has species which contain steroidal saponins. Root use is associated with drug interactions, renal & gastric toxicity causing nausea & kidney damage. Avoid in preganacy & lactatation.