Vitis vinifera

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Vitis vinifera L.

Vitaceae

  • Grape-vine
  • waraq el-'inab ورق العنب
  • waraq el-dawali ورق دوالي
  • waraq el-karma ورق الكرمة
  • zabib زبيب
  • gefen ha-yayin
  • gefen ha-ye'arot
  • גֶּפֶן הַיַיִן
  • גֶּפֶן הַיְּעָרוֹת

Climber, Phanerophyte shrub

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

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

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.