Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Family

Cyperaceae

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Cocograss
Nutgrass
Purple Nutsedge

Hebrew Name(s)

gome ha-peqa'im

גֹּמֶא הַפְּקָעִים

Arabic Name(s)

sa'adeh سعدة

Life Form

Hemicryptophyte

Habitat

Humid habitats

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Cyperus rotundus L.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Oral Health	Strengthen teeth	Anti-caries	Grind tuber into powder, mix + " `afs" (Galla halepensis) + "sheba" (Artemisia arborescens) + "gir armana" (Calamina, ZnO) + " 'ud el-karh" (Anacyclus pyrethrum) (See NOTES 1); add a little water, prepare paste & rub over teeth.	Tuber	Z
Respiratory	Cough & pneumonia	Anti-Infective, Anti-tussive	Boil whole plant (especially tuber & underground parts) in water & inhale steam.	Whole plant (aerial parts+root/ tuber)	Z
Ritual /Ceremonial	Incense (for churches & mosques)	Incense	Burn dried whole plant (especially tuber & underground parts) on coals in vessel; allow steam & smoke to fill air.	Whole plant (aerial parts +root/tuber)	Z

System/State

Traditional
Complaint/Use

Activity / Interpretation

Traditional
Preparation/ Administration

Parts Used

Source

Oral Health

Strengthen teeth

Anti-caries

Grind tuber into powder, mix + " `afs" (Galla halepensis) + "sheba" (Artemisia arborescens) + "gir armana" (Calamina, ZnO) + " 'ud el-karh" (Anacyclus pyrethrum) (See NOTES 1); add a little water, prepare paste & rub over teeth.

Tuber

Respiratory

Cough & pneumonia

Anti-Infective, Anti-tussive

Boil whole plant (especially tuber & underground parts) in water & inhale steam.

Whole plant (aerial parts+root/ tuber)

Ritual /Ceremonial

Incense (for churches & mosques)

Incense

Burn dried whole plant (especially tuber & underground parts) on coals in vessel; allow steam & smoke to fill air.

Whole plant (aerial parts +root/tuber)

Notes

1. In the recipe to strengthen teeth Z identifies the ingredient "gir armana" as Calamina (ZnO). This word could not be found but it may refer to the Arabic word for calamine "kharseen" ( i.e. "khar" from Al-Ghar (mine) & "seen" from China). In the same recipe Z identifies the ingredient " 'ud el-karh" as Anacylus pyrethum. This name could not be found but the species is identified in Arabic as "aud el‘attas" or "akar karha".

Cautions

Cyperus rotundus may lower blood sugar, slow blood clotting, increase secretions in respiratory/urinery/ gastric tracts, & possibly increase risk of seizures & slowing of heart rate.

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.