Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Vitis vinifera L.

Family

Vitaceae

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Grape-vine

Arabic Name(s)

waraq el-'inab ورق العنب
waraq el-dawali ورق دوالي
waraq el-karma ورق الكرمة
zabib زبيب

Hebrew Name(s)

gefen ha-yayin
gefen ha-ye'arot

גֶּפֶן הַיַיִן
גֶּפֶן הַיְּעָרוֹת

Life Form

Climber, Phanerophyte shrub

Habitat

Humid habitats

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

For distribution and other botanical details for this plant

Click to view:

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Vitis vinifera L.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Ageing	Strengthen memory	Nootropic	Drink alcohol prepared from raisins (dried grapes).	Fruit	Z
Child Health	Abdominal pain & diarrhea in children	Anti-diarrheal	Mix 1.5 cups of wine (Vitis) + dried bread in saucepan & heat a little; spread mixture over cloth & wrap baby in it at night.	Fruit	Z
Dermatological	Abscess	Anti-Infective, Vulnerary	Prepare poultice from leaves & apply to abscess over night for 3 days.	Leaf	B
Dermatological	Boils & to open/ expel pus	Anti-Infective, Vulnery	1.Mix wine vinegar + cow dung & bandage lesion (see CAUTIONS). 2. Prepare dough of distilled alcohol ("araq") + flour & apply to affected area. 3. Grind seeds of Linum usitatissimum, moisten + water or vinegar & bandage affected area.	Fruit	Z
Dermatological	Eczema	Anti-inflammatory	Apply grape wine vinegar + henna (Lawsonia sp.) + Rheum sp. to affected area.	Fruit	Z
Dermatological	Hair loss & strengthen hair	Hair restorer	1. Immerse tip of young branch in cup of water & steep for 12 hrs; water becomes cloudy with white sediment. Drink water & spread on head. (Z) 2. Wash hair with grape water. (B)	Branch /twig, Fruit	Z, B
Dermatological	Pruritis	Anti-pruritic	Massage irritated area with wine vinegar.	Fruit	Z
Dermatological	Ringworm of scalp (Tinea capitis)	Anti-fungal	1. Mix wine vinegar + egg yolk & apply to affected area. 2. Mix wine vinegar + goat dung (see CAUTIONS), spread over cloth & bandage affected area.	Fruit	Z
Dermatological	Urticaria	Anti-allergy, Anti-pruritic	Eat dried fruits (raisins) x2 teaspoons mornings for 3 days. ( Z notes it "causes contraction of the bile ducts causing rash." )	Fruit	Z
Ear, Nose & Throat	Nasal tumors	Anti-tumor	Apply distilled alcohol + ? tartar oil (mustard seed) & apply to affected area.	Fruit	Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)	Inflammation of oropharynx/ throat	Anti-Infective, Demulcent	Cook in (wine) vinegar Cinchona bark + alum + honey + water & gargle.	Fruit	Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)	Nosebleed	Haemostatic	Inhale steam of wine vinegar over a fire.	Fruit	Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)	Tonsilitis	Anti-Infective	Mix wine vinegar + alum (hydrated double sulfate salt of aluminium) + honey & gargle.	Fruit	Z
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain & gas	Carminative	1. Drink wine + cinnamon. 2. Drink x1 cup distilled alcohol (cognac, araq) alone or +sugar.	Fruit	Z
Gastrointestinal	Constipation	Laxative	1. Eat fruit. (Z) 2. Grind dried fruit (raisins) + figs + dates & eat x1 teaspoon before sleep. (Z) 3. Eat fresh fruits in season. (B) 4.Drink fruit juice x1 cup/day. (B)	Fruit	Z, B
Gastrointestinal	Haemorrhoids	Anti-haemorrhoidal	Prepare rectal suppository with raisins + lard + sugar.	Fruit	Z
Gastrointestinal	Jaundice,	Hepatic	1. Eat fresh fruits in season. 2. Drink fruit juice x1 cup/ day.	Fruit	B
General	Dizziness & body weakness	Tonic	1. Eat raisins (dried fruits) morning & evening. 2. Boil raisins in water & drink 1 cup x3 /day.	Fruit	Z
General	Fever	Anti-pyretic	1. Mix wine + Cinchona sp. (Admin not specified). 2. Mix grape wine vinegar + Capparis sp. leaves & apply as compress. 3. Rub head with vinegar alone or + lemon juice. 4. Infuse cloves (Eugenia sp.) + rose flowers in vinegar; spread mixture over cloth & place on forehead. 5. Grate onions & mint & macerate in vinegar; spread over forehead. For high fever: 6. Rub body/ head with wine vinegar alone or + salt. 7. Crush Mentha sp. & prepare bandage with water or vinegar on cloth; tie on forhead or chest.	Fruit	Z
General	Heat stroke	Anti-pyretic, Refrigerant	Mix wine vinegar + rose water & rub on forehead.	Fruit	Z
General	Supply body with energy	Nutritive	Eat ripe fruits.	Fruit	Z
General	Thirst; "especially after eating large amount of mandrakes" (Mandragora officinalis)	Refrigerant	Eat large amounts of grape jam.	Fruit	Z
Helminth infections	Worms (intestinal)	Anthelmintic, Vermifuge	1. Drink grape wine vinegar + "qat" (Catha edulis). 2. Soak seeds of Cicer arietinum in white vinegar, drink liquid & eat seeds.	Fruit	Z
Infectious Diseases	Measles	Anti-Infective	Spread distilled alcohol (cognac, "araq") over body. Burn goat`s hair & sleep in smoke filled room well covered. ( Z adds "disease exits through abdomen").	Fruit	Z
Mental Health	Madness & to soothe nerves	Anti-psychotic, Sedative	Mix raisins + almonds + nuts + bee honey + Majorana + garlic + Nigella + Cinnamomum Cassia + black pepper + olive oil & eat.	Fruit	Z
Men`s Health/ Sexuality	Increase virility	Aphrodisiac	1. Eat dried fruits (raisins). 2. Prepare alcohol from raisins & drink.	Fruit	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Back pain	Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory	Heat wine vinegar + Dorema ammoniacum, add Pistacia lentiscus resin & heat till mixture turns red; cool, spread on cloth & apply to painful area.	Fruit	Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints	Knee pain, non traumatic & rheumatism.	Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory	1.Mix wine vinegar + goat or sheep dung + goat`s blood (see NOTES & CAUTIONS) & bandage knee. 2. Mix wine + water + wheat fiber & bathe in mixture. (Unclear if Cinchona sp. Is also added to this recipe)	Fruit	Z
Nervous System	Headache	Analgesic	1. Rub head with (wine) vinegar alone or + lemon juice or + distilled alcohol (araq) 2. Infuse cloves (Eugenia sp.) + rose flowers in (wine) vinegar; spread over cloth & place on forehead. 3. Grate onions + mint & macerate in (wine) vinegar; spread over forehead. 4. Mix grape wine vinegar + crushed ginger & apply as poultice to forehead & temples. Chronic Headache: 5 .Prepare dough of wine vinegar + flour & apply to forehead. 6. Inhale wine vinegar. 7. Mix henna (Lawsonia sp.) or ground myrtle (Myrtus) leaves + wine vinegar; spread on cloth & apply to head. 8. Migraine: Boil roasted ground seeds of Nigella sativa + olive oil or vinegar & inhale fluid through nose.	Fruit	Z
Opthalmic	Eye treatment	Non-specific	Collect juice secreted from branches when pruning & apply to eyes.	Branch /twig, Leaf	Z
Oral health	Gingivitis	Anti-gum disease	Use distilled alcohol (cognac, "araq") + water as mouthwash or gargle.	Fruit	Z
Oral Health	Mouth disinfectant	Anti-septic, Mouth wash	Mix distilled alcohol (cognac, araq) + water & use as mouthwash.	Fruit	Z
Oral Health	Strengthen teeth & stop bleeding from mouth (i.e. gums)	Anti-caries, Anti-gum disease	1.Cook grapevines (Vitis) in water + flowers of Rosa sp. + Myrtus communis leaves + lentils & gargle 2. Mix distilled alcohol (cognac, araq) + water & use as mouthwash (for gingivitis).	Leaf	Z
Oral Health	Toothache	Analgesic	1. Mix grape wine vinegar + Capparis leaves or salt. (Admin. not specified.) 2. Use distilled alcohol (cognac, "araq") alone or + water as mouthwash or gargle. 3. Cook bark of Cinchona sp. in vinegar + cypress cones + alum (hydrated double sulfate salt of aluminium) & gargle mornings. 4. Cook aerial parts of Majorana syriaca + vinegar + cumin + olive oil & apply to tooth.	Fruit	Z
Pain Relief	Pain relief from purulent infection under fingernail	Analgesic	Immerse finger in cup of "araq" (distilled alcohol) until pain subsides.	Fruit	Z
Respiratory	Colds, runny nose	Anti-Infective, Anti-catarrhal	1. Wine + Cinchona (Admin. not specified.) 2. Mix grape wine vinegar + Capparis leaves & apply as compress. 3. Massage with distilled alcohol + lemon juice or vinegar. 4. Apply vinegar compress to forehead & to wet cloths & inhale.	Fruit	Z
Respiratory	Cough & soften throat	Anti-tussive, Demulcent	Cook Sambucus nigra in water + dried figs or raisins & drink liquid.	Fruit	Z
Surgical/ Trauma	Haemorrhage	Haemostatic	1. Use leaves as a compress. 2. Mix donkey dung (see NOTES & CAUTIONS) + wine + honey & apply to haemorrhage.	Fruit, Leaf	Z
Venoms, Bites & Stings	Scorpion bite	Anti-venom	Pour distilled alcohol (cognac, araq, ) over bite & tie string on both sides (of the bite).	Fruit	Z
Women`s Health	Post-partum haemorrhage	Haemostatic	Boil stems in water & drink 1 cup x3/day.	Stem	Z
Wound healing	Antiseptic for wounds & skin	Antiseptic	1. Place fresh leaves on wound & replace daily. 2. Decoct leaves & wash/ clean affected area with decoction.	Leaf	Z
Wound Healing	Burn	Vulnerary	Mix wine vinegar + salt + oil & apply to burn.	Fruit	Z
Wound Healing	Heal open wounds/ open & heal closed skin lesions	Vulnerary	Use leaves. (Preparation/ Admin not specified. )	Leaf	Z
Wound Healing	Infected wounds & skin lesions	Anti-Infective, Vulnerary	Use vinegar or water to wet ground flax seeds, spread over cloth & apply.	Fruit	Z
Wound Healing	Skin & wound antispetic	Anti-septic	1. Apply fresh leaves to wound & replace x1/day. 2. Decoct leaves in water & use to wash & clean purulent wound/ lesion.	Leaf	Z

Other Uses

Vitis vinifera L.

System/State	Complaint / Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/Administration	Parts Used	Source
Cosmetic	Dye hair black	Dye	Cook grape leaves + mulberry leaves (Morus nigra) + fig leaves (from tree producing black fruit) & wash hair with mixture.	Leaf	Z

System/State

Complaint / Use

Activity / Interpretation

Traditional
Preparation/Administration

Parts Used

Source

Cosmetic

Dye hair black

Dye

Cook grape leaves + mulberry leaves (Morus nigra) + fig leaves (from tree producing black fruit) & wash hair with mixture.

Leaf

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.

Notes

1. In various recipes for Vitis vinifera several types of preparations are used including raisons (dried grapes), vinegar & distilled alcohol as Cognac (from white wine) & "araq" or "arak" (a distilled spirit typically made from grape & aniseed).

Cautions

Some externally applied recipes for Vitis vinifera for skin problems, burns, ringworm, pain & rheumatism include adding dung from various animals e.g. camels, goats. This historical, discredited treatment is dangerous and not recommended.