Common Name:

General Information

Tetraclinis articulata is an evergreen tree gtowing 12 - 15 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis for its wood and also for the resin from its trunk, which is often exported. It also has a range of medicinal uses.
Although the small subpopulations in Malta and Spain are highly threatened, and there is some evidence of decline in the main parts of its range, the species does have an extensive distribution in North Africa. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

The heartwood of this species is known to contain several dermatologically active compounds including thymoquinone, carvacrol, s well as beta and gamma thujaplicins[].

Botanical References

Range

Mediterranean - southern Spain, Malta, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya

Habitat

Forms extensive open woodlands at elevations from sea level to 1,800 metres[]. Sometimes in rock fissures and on rocky slopes[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tetraclinis articulata is a native of the Mediterranean region with its hot dry summers and cooler, moist to wet winters. In most parts of its range annual precipitation ranges from 300 - 500mm[]. The tree does not grow well in moister climates, or in regions with cold winters.
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in somewhat saline soils[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Nlike many conifers, this species can respond positively to coppicing - indeed it can survive forest fires by this method[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is abortifacient[].
A decoction of the leaves and cones, combined with skim milk, is used as an expectorant, and also as an emetic in the treatment of intoxication, and also to treat severe diarrhoea and gastric pains[].
The crushed leaves are applied as poultices on both sides or on the top of the head as a remedy for dizziness, headache, neck pain, insolation and fever of children[].
The dried and powdered leaves are applied topically as a healing dressing on wounds or the umbilical wound of the newborn baby[].

The plant has been reportly used in the treatment of diabetes[].

The resin is anthelmintic, antimicrobial, stimulant[, ]. It is taken internally to rid the body of roundworms and tapeworms[]. It is also said to be used in the treatment of haemorrhoids and diarrhoea[, ].
One piece of sandarac resin, humidified with rose water, is applied to the eyelid to ease inflammation of the eyes[].
The resin is burned and the smoke inhaled as a treatment for colds[]. Sandarac is and the tincture for friction in cases of low spirits[].
When used as an incense in the evening, the balsamic, frankincense-like fragrance of the resin is said to relax, calm and ease tension. It is said to be helpful in cases of insomnia caused by tension or stress[].

The plant contains the flavones amentoflavone, cupressuflavone and kinokiflavone[].
The stems yield 0.25 - 0.80% of an essential oil - this contains bornyle acetate (30.5%), camphor (18.6%), borneol (10.2 %), limonene (8.6 %), terpene-1-ol-4 (5.8%) and thuyone (less than 1 %)[].
The wood yields 2% essential oil - this contains carvacrol (28%), p-methoxythymol (22.1%), thymohydroquinone (16.1%), cedrol (7.2%), terpene-1ol-4 (5.4%), alpha-pinene (3.8%), and alpha-cedrene (3.6%). This essential oil is a potential commercial source of carvacrol[]
The resin contains chlorhexidine which has been shown to have antimicrobial activity. When used as a dental filling, the resin has been shown to exert a long-term suppression of Streptococcus mutans in dental fissures[].
An essential oil extracted from the plant has been shown to be effective in inducing apoptosis in human melanoma, breast and ovarian cancer cell lines. All cell lines tested were inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. It was concluded that the essential oil contains components that are effective at inducing apoptosis[].
The heartwood of this species was reported to contain several dermatologically active compounds including thymoquinone, carvacrol, and beta- and gamma-thujaplicins[].

Agroforestry Uses:

An excellent tree for afforesting rocky slopes in semi-arid areas[].

Other Uses

A resin, known as 'Sandarac' is obtained from the trunk[]. It is used to make a fine varnish for preserving paintings, lacquers, coating paper and metal, bookbinding and in dental cements[]. It is said that the best quality varnishes are produced by dissolving sandarac resin into turpentine[].
Both the wood and the extracted resin can be burnt as an incense[, ].
The resin exudes spontaneously from the trunk and branches, and also from incisions made through the bark in the trunk and branches. It quickly solidifies when exposed to air. The hardened resin can be then harvested by peeling it from the trees[].

An essential oil can be obtained by steam distillation of the resin, or by dissolving the resin in a solution of potassium hydroxide[]. Sandarac oil is pale yellow or almost colourless and has a slightly balsamic odour[].

The leaves of this plant, combined with henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis) are powdered and kneaded with water to make a hair tonic for external application[]. It is applied about 1 hour before washing the hair[].

A tar oil extracted by destructive distillation of the wood is known as 'Gatran el Ghalid' (thick tar). It is mainly used in the treatment of wounds, especially in livestock[].

The dark, fragrant wood is valued by cabinet makers for furniture etc[], and is also used for house and bridge building[].
The burls that are formed after repeated coppicing are particularly valued for craftwork[]. The fragrant and beautiful, sweet-smelling root wood is a golden reddish brown with heavy small dark 'eyes'. It is hard, heavy, oily and aromatic. It turns well and take a high shine. This burl wood is amazingly hard and polishes up like glass. It is
stable and works very well[]. It is used to make unique and beautiful handcrafted items, such as jewelry boxes, trays, tables, desktop item, pens... All said to be treasured for a lifetime. Just dip a piece of cotton cloth in vegetable oil and wipe the wood to make it shine again like new[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed -