Peganum harmala L.
Nitrariaceae
- African Rue
- Harmala
- Syrian Rue
- Wild Rue
- harmal / hirmil حرمل
- harmalIyan حرمليان
- khiyeish خييش
- שַׁבָּר לָבָן
- shabar lavan
Hemicryptophyte
- Shrub-steppes
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distribution and other botanical details.
Medicinal Complaints / Uses
Peganum harmala L.
System/State | Traditional Complaint/Use |
Activity / Interpretation | Traditional Preparation/ Administration |
Parts Used | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cardiovascular | Strengthen heart/ regulate cardiac function/ relieve chest pain |
Analgesic, Cardiac | 1. Decoct whole plant & drink. |
Seed, Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
Dermatological | Skin swelling & redness |
Anti-inflammatory | Burn dried plant & steep ashes in grape vinegar overnight, stir & apply to swollen skin. |
Aerial parts | Z |
Endocrine/ Metabolic | Diabetes mellitus |
Hypoglycemic | 1. Decoct whole plant & drink. |
Seed, Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Abdominal gas |
Carminative | Grind seeds, mix + powders of Asparagus seeds + ginger root + Pimpinella fruits + honey & eat x1 teaspoon mornings. |
Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Abdominal pain |
Carminative | 1. Cook x2 small teaspoons of leaves in water & drink. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Constipation |
Laxative | Cook leaves & seeds in water & drink. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Dysentery |
Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal | Cook seeds in water + Ononis pubescens & drink. |
Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Increase appetite |
Stomachic | Use seeds 1 yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | Z |
Gastrointestinal | Jaundice |
Hepatic | 1. Grind seeds into powder, mix + oil, warm mixture & spread over face in evening. Next morning wash face with soap. |
Seed | Z |
General | Strengthen body |
Tonic | 1. Decoct whole plant & drink. |
Seed, Whole plant (? aerial parts + root) | Z |
Haematology | Clean blood |
Blood purifier | Use seeds 1yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | Z |
Infectious Diseases | Tuberculosis |
Anti-tubercular | Drink Cinnamomum cassia cooked in water or make a burn with red hot wire over painful lung. Then grind Paganum seeds & eat x1 teaspoon + soft boiled egg. |
Seed | Z |
Kidney & Urinary Tract | Aid urination, |
Deobstruent, Diuretic | Use seeds 1yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified). |
Seed | Z |
Kidney & Urinary Tract | Kidney stones |
Anti-lithic | Grind roasted seeds & eat ? teaspoon x2/day until recovery. |
Seed | B |
Mental Health | Depression |
Anti-depressant | 1. Roast seeds & leaves in fire & inhale smoke. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Arthritis prevention |
Anti-arthritic | Grind seeds & eat ? tablespoon x 2/day. |
Seed | B |
Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Joint inflammation/ rheumatic pain (Z, B). Lumbago (lower back pain) (Z) |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | 1. Cook seeds (in some preparations 1 yr after harvesting) in water in sealed vessel; patient, wearing wide gown stands over steam as long as possible, then goes to bed away from cold. (Z) |
Aerial parts, Leaf, Seed | Z, B |
Musculoskeletal/ Joints | Joint pain/ rheumatism |
Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory | Mix 10 gm seeds + 250 gm black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds + 50 gm chrysanthemum & 10 gm of each of following; senna (Senna alexandrina) + cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) + rosmary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis)+ mahaleb cherry (Prunus mahaleb ) + almonds (Prunis dulcus) + 800 gm honey. Eat 1 teaspoon x 2/day after breakfast & dinner for 10 days. (See CAUTIONS) |
Seed | B |
Nervous System | Headache |
Analgesic | 1. Roast seeds (in some preparations 1 year after harvesting) & leaves in fire & inhale smoke. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Opthalmic | Eye inflammation |
Anti-inflammatory | Use seeds 1 yr after harvesting. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | Z |
Opthalmic | Strengthen weak vision |
Visual health | Grate seeds, mix + olive oil & apply to eyes. |
Seed | Z |
Respiratory | Asthma; as expectorant & for cough |
Anti-tussive, Expectorant | 1. Use seeds 1 year after harvesting, mix + honey or honey + saffron & eat. |
Seed | Z |
Ritual /Ceremonial | Against the evil eye |
Ritual | 1. Roast seeds in fire & listen to the sound of seeds exploding. |
Seed | Z |
Women`s Health | Ovarian atrophy & to strengthen ovaries |
Alterative | Mix equal amounts of leaves + lady`s mantle (Alchemilla xanthochlora) leaves + flaxseed (Linum maritimum); sieve mixture & prepare infusion by adding 1 teaspoon mixture to 1 cup hot water + 1 teaspoon honey; steep 10 min & drink x1 cup at night before menstruation & 12 days after menstruation. |
Leaf | B |
Wound Healing | Extract pus from skin lesion/wound |
Anti-Infective, Vulnerary | Grind leaf & seed + onion, mix + honey & spread over lesion. |
Leaf, Seed | Z |
Wound Healing | Treat various lesions/wounds |
Vulnerary | Grind seeds (1 year after harvesting). (Admin. not specified.) |
Seed | 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.
2. In recipe (5) for rheumatism Peganum harmala is used with Mahaleb Cherry (Prunus mahaleb); the Prunus genus has species which many contain hydrogen cyanide in their seeds & leaves & which can cause respiratory depression & death (see also CAUTIONS for Prunus amygdalus)