Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Family

Leguminosae (Fabaceae)

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

White Broom
White Weeping Broom

Hebrew Name(s)

rotem ha-midbar

רֹתֶם הַמִּדְבָּר

Arabic Name(s)

ratam رتم

Life Form

Phanerophyte shrub

Habitat

Sand

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Dermatological	Skin swelling & to open boils	Anti-Infective, Vulnerary	Decoct plant in water & use as hot or cold compress.	Aerial parts	Z
Endocrine/ Metabolic	Diabetes; lowers blood sugar	Hypoglycemic	Decoct plant in water & drink instead of water. (TOXIC See CAUTIONS.)	Aerial parts	Z
Gastrointestinal	Gastrointestinal pain & inflammation	Anti-inflammatory, Carminative, Demulcent	Decoct plant & drink x3 small cups/day. (TOXIC See CAUTIONS.)	Aerial parts	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Back pain	Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory	Prepare paste of crushed leaves + wheat flour, apply to affected area & fix with a cloth.	Leaf	B
Wound Healing	Wound	Vulnerary	Soak leaves in boiling water, filter & use as a compress on wound; repeat several times until healed.	Leaf	B

Notes

1. Z notes that large doses of this plant are dangerous (see CAUTIONS) but small quantities are used as a purgative & vermifuge.
2. Z also notes other uses of this plant including; small fruits eaten by sheep, wood used as an excellent source of charcoal by desert tribes & as an abortive in large doses.

Cautions

Retama raetam contains alkaloids. Its fruit is considered toxic & is thought to provoke hallucinations. Deaths have been reported from the abortive effect of this plant.

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.