Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Family

Fagaceae

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Tabor Oak

Hebrew Name(s)

alon ha-tavor

אַלּוֹן הַתָּבוֹר

Arabic Name(s)

ballut بلوط

Life Form

Tree

Habitat

Mediterranean maquis and forest

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Quercus ithaburensis Decne.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Gastrointestinal	Diarrhea	Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal	Cook gallnuts (see NOTES) in water + Rhus sp. or Terminalia sp. + crystalline sugar & drink.	Gallnut	Z
Respiratory	Pertussis (whooping cough)	Anti-Infective	Cook fruit in water & drink.	Fruit	Z
Womens Health	Haemorrhage after childbirth	Haemostatic	Crush gallnuts into powder, wet with water & wrap in cloth; use as a vaginal tampon.	Gallnut	Z
Wound Healing	Burn	Vulnerary	Apply olive oil to burn then sprinkle with powdered gallnuts. (See NOTES).	Gallnut	Z

Notes

Galls or gallnuts are abnormal swellings on trees & plants caused by parasitic organisms e.g. nematodes, insects, bacteria, mites etc that secrete chemical irritants into the plant tissue. Gallnuts resemble nuts.

Cautions

Species in the Quercus genus have a high tannin content in leaves etc. which can irritate the digestive lining in excess.Foliage can be poisonous. Acorns should be leached of bitter tannins & roasted before consumption. Contraindicated in fevers, infectious states (baths), externally where skin is damaged especially eczma & using bark in cardioinsufficiency, kidney & liver conditions.

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.