The various species of Fagonia (now transferred to Zygophyllum) can be very difficult to identify, and at one time the then 25 known species were all lumped under Fagonia cretica (now Zygophyllum creticum). This confusion persists to the present day, and both Fagonia arabica (Zygophyllum arabicum) and Fagonia cretica (Zygophyllum creticum) are sometimes credited with being medicinal plants that are native to India. Modern treatments of the genus show both those species as being restricted to the Mediterranean and Africa and so any information on their medicinal usage in India should more probably refer to various species native to India, including Zygophyllum bruguieri Zygophyllum indicum and Zygophyllum paulayanum[, ].
Fagonia arabica is a very variable species, with pronounced seasonal and habitat polymorphism. Several species and varieties, not possible to separate by morphological discontinuities, have as a consequence been described within this complex[].

Common Name:

General Information

Zygophyllum arabicum is a densely-branched, perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody, especially near the base, and persist. It can grow up to 50cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Morocco to Egypt (absent from Tunisia), Eritrea; W. Asia - Jordan

Habitat

Grows on sand, among granitic rocks and along wadis, as well as on gravel; at elevations from sea level to around 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.35 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Zygophyllum arabicum is a plant manily of the subtropical zone, where it grows in arid and semi-arid environments.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) is used in traditional medicine by Bedouin in the Sinai to treat headaches, bone pain, muscle pain and skin problems such as wounds, infections and diseases[].

The aerial parts of the plant have been shown to have a strong inhibitory effect on the production of pancreatic lipase, thus helping to lower lipid levels in the body. It could, therefore, have a role to play in the treatment of obesity[].

The following notes were listed under Fagonia arabica (now Zygophyllum arabicum). Since the uses are for a species native in India, they are most likely referring to Fagonia indica (now Zygophyllum indicum)[]. The two species are very closely related, however, and the uses are very likely also applicable to this species[].

The plant is an astringent tonic, bitter, blood purifier and deobstruent[].
The leaves, twigs and their juice possess cooling properties[]. They are much used as preventatives in hot weather to keep the system cool and ward off disorders incident to that season[].
An infusion is used as a gargle in the treatment of sore mouth[]. The juice is used for cooling the mouth in the treatment of stomatitis ; the juice being boiled with sugar-candy until quite thick, and a small quantity allowed to dissolve in the mouth frequently[].
Applied topically, the juice is said to prevent suppuration when applied to open wounds, though it also has a reputation as a suppurative in cases of abscesses caused by thorns, etc [].
The plant is largely used by native practitioners as a bitter and astringent tonic, and is a popular remedy for fever[, ]

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -