Thymbra capitata

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Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav.

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Lamiaceae (Labiatae)

  • Coridothymus capitatus (L.) Reichnb.
  • Conehead Thyme
  • Headed Savory
  • Israeli Thyme Mediterranean Thyme
  • qoranit mequrqefet
  • קוֹרָנִית מְקֻרְקֶפֶת
  • za'tar farisi زعتر فارسي
  • za'tar زعتر
  • zuheif زحيف

Chamaephyte

  • Batha
  • Phrygana
Click Flora of Israel Online to view distribution and other botanical details.

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav.

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

Cancer

Anti-carcinogenic

Decoct leaves & drink x1 cup/ day until recovery.

Leaf B
Cardiovascular

Heart disease & chest pain

Analgesic, Cardiac

1. Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink hot + sugar.
2. Drink watery extract of aerial parts
3. Burn aerial parts & inhale smoke.

Aerial parts Z
Cardiovascular

High blood pressure (Hypertension)

Hypotensive

Cook aerial parts in water & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

Sore throat & swollen tonsils

Anti-Infective, Demulcent

Prepare extract of aerial parts & gargle.

Aerial parts Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Earache

Analgesic

Prepare watery extract of aerial parts + salt + lemon & apply as ear drops.

Aerial parts Z
Endocrine/ Metabolic

Disease in which "one drinks much water" (See NOTES 1)

Hypoglcaemic

Cook crushed aerial parts in water & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Abdominal pain

Carminative

1. Decoct or cook aerial parts in water & drink.
2. Mix aerial parts + "yansun" (Pimpinella) seeds + "kammun" (cumin) + "bizr el-rashad" (Lepidium seeds) + sugar; drink x1 teaspoon/day before meal.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea/ dysentery

Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal

For diarrhea: 1. Prepare extract of aerial parts, mix + Artemisia sieberi & drink.
2. Grind aerial parts + hard boiled egg including shell & spread on forehead. For dysentery:
3. Mix aerial parts + "yansun" (Pimpinella) seeds + "kammun" (cumin) + "bizr el-rashad" (Lepidium seeds) + sugar; eat x1 small spoon /day before meal.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Regulate intestinal activity

Stomachic

Use leaves /non-woody parts of plant. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)

Leaf Z
Gastrointestinal

Regulate stomach function

Digestive, Stomachic

Decoct aerial parts in water & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Swelling/ gas in digestive system

Carminative

Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink x3 cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Vomiting

Anti-emetic

Crush aerial parts & smell.

Aerial parts Z
General

Abdominal ascites & oedema of other parts of body

Anti-hydropic

Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink for 40 days instead of water. Eat bread & other foods without salt.

Aerial parts Z
General

Bloating

Anti-hydropic

Use leaves (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)

Leaf Z
General

Internal inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink x3 cups/day.

Aerial parts Z
General

Oedema

Anti-hydropic

Cook aerial parts in water & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Haematology

Prevent blood coagulation

Anti-coagulant

Mix non-woody aerial parts + "'innab" (Zizyphus sp.) (See NOTES 2).(Admin. not specified.)

Aerial parts Z
Helminth infections

Worms

Anthelmintic, Vermifuge

1. Use non-woody aerial parts + pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita maxima). (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)
2. Prepare extract of aerial parts, mix + Artemisia sieberi & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Infectious Diseases

Tuberculosis

Anti-tubercular

1. Mix aerial parts + "yansun" (Pimpinella) seeds + "kammun" (cumin) + "bizr el-rashad" (Lepidium seeds) + sugar & eat x1 teaspoon/day before meal.
2. Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink instead of water.

Aerial parts Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Increase urine excretion & prevent bloating

Diuretic

Use leaves. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)

Leaf Z
Mental Health

Tranquilizer & "black bile" depression

Anti-depressant, Sedative

Use leaves. (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)

Leaf Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Reset & mend incorrectly healed bone fracture

Vulnerary

Cook aerial parts + leaves & young branches of "kharub" (Ceratonia siliqua) + branches of "el-ghar" (Laurus nobilis) + branches of olive (Olea) + branches of "saris" (Pistacia lentiscus) + "maryameyeh" (Salvia fruticosa); hold broken limb over steam for few min. After removing bone can be re-broken with light tap.

Aerial parts Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Rheumatism/ back & muscle pain

Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory

1. Cook aerial parts in water & drink.
2. Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & add to hot bath; massage painful area.

Aerial parts Z
Oral Health

Tooth rinse

Mouth wash

Prepare extract of aerial parts + vinegar & gargle.

Aerial parts Z
Oral Health

Toothache

Analgesic

1. Suck leaves.
2. Chew upper parts (shoots/ stems ).
3. Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & gargle x3/day as necessary.

Leaf, Stem /shoots Z
Respiratory

Colds

Anti-Infective

1. Use leaves (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)
2. Grind aerial parts, mix + oil & apply to various parts of body. Patient must lie in bed (causes fever to rise).
3. Mix aerial parts + "fliyu" (? fulaya)( Mentha pulegium) + "feijan" (Ruta sp.) + "qarfa" (? Kafoor) (Cinnamomum camphor) & inhale mixture.
4. Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink hot + sugar x3/day.

Aerial parts, Leaf Z
Respiratory

Cough & chest pain

Analgesic, Anti-tussive

1. Drink water extract of aerial parts.
2. Use leaves (Admin. not described.)
3. Burn aerial parts & inhale smoke.
4. Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink hot + sugar x3/day.

Aerial parts, Leaf Z
Respiratory

Cough & regulate respiration

Anti-tussive

Use leaves (Preparation/ Admin. not specified.)

Leaf Z
Respiratory

Expectorant for coughs, colds & infliuenza

Expectorant

Decoct aerial parts in water, cool, filter & drink hot + sugar x3/day.

Aerial parts Z
Respiratory

Strengthen lungs

Pectoral

Mix non-woody upper parts + honey or sugar (Admin. not specified.)

Aerial parts Z
Venoms, Bites & Stings

Scorpion sting

Anti-venom

Apply crushed powdered leaves to affected area.

Leaf Z
Women`s Health

Uterine pain & inflammation

Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory

Cook leaves in water, filter & use vaginally as douche.

Leaf Z
Wound Healing

Burn

Vulnerary

Sprinkle crushed powdered leaves over affected area.

Leaf Z

Notes

1. Z queries that the complaint in which one "drinks much water" could refer to diabetes.
2. In the recipe to prevent blood coagulation, an additional ingredient is "'innab" which Z identifies as Zizyphus sp. This appears to be a general Arabic name for the genus & is also used for Ziziphus spina- cristi.

Cautions

Thymbra capitata can be toxic in large amounts. Carvacrol, an essential oil can irritate the skin, gastrointestinal tract & mucous membranes, interact with drugs & inhibit blood clotting.

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.