Chrozophora tinctoria

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Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) A.Juss.

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Euphorbiaceae

  • Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Raf.
  • Dyer's Croton
  • Dyers Litmus
  • Giradol
  • Turnsole
  • leshishit ha-tzaba'im
  • לְשִׁישִׁית הַצַּבָּעִים
  • ghubeiriya غبيرية

Annual

  • Disturbed habitats
  • Sand
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) A.Juss.

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

Antiseptic for skin & wounds

Anti-septic

1. Crush dried plant into fine powder & apply to skin.
2. Decoct plant in water, cool, filter & use to wash skin.

Aerial parts Z

Notes

1.Z mentions several other names & uses of Chrozophora tinctoria, an important economic plant which yields a purplish blue dye & is a common weed in cultivated ground in arid zones of Teheran, Afganistan & the Iran-Afghanistan frontier (Helmand) etc. He quotes from published sources (PARSA II, Qual.Pl.Mat.Veg. VI, 1959, No. 1; p.87) on other Persian names which include: "gol-agghrabi " (Shiraz), "gush-garreh" (or ear of lamb : Jahrom of Farsi), "kapoochist" (NE: Helmand), "korki" (Teheran: Mt Bibishahrbanoo), "vasmeh" (East: Mashad: Shandiz)
2. Z notes its use In Mashad for bladder & kidney diseases.
3. Z describes how the dye is used for colouring cheeses, wines, preserves etc. & adds that 10O kg of Chrozophora gives enough juice for dying 25 kg of cloth & that 1 hectacre produces juice for dying 1250 kg of cloth.
4. Z describes from other sources that in 19th century France ancient methods were used to produce the dye; cloth soaked in Crozophora juice was spread on hot horse manure which absorbed ammonia fumes & turned blue. If the juice was diluted with foot water the cloth would turn red or dark green.

Cautions

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.