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[, ].

Common Name:

General Information

Zygophyllum bruguier is a spiny, densely-branched, more or less prostrate plant with stems up to 20cm long that often become woody[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for medicinal use.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Arid and semi-arid regions of Northern Africa, through the Arabian Peninsula, southwest Asia to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Habitat

Commonly forming a dominating part of the vegetation on stony slopes and plains, or along wadis, growing on sand or gravel, sometimes rich in limestone or gypsum, or on saline soils; at elevations from sea level to 2,300 metres[]

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.10 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The dried and broken up stems,together with the leaves and thorns, are of a reddish colour. They are astringent with a bitterish taste and a somewhat aromatic odour. They are used as a local sedative, a stimulant, febrifuge, bitter and alterative[].
For liver ailments, especially when characterized by an enlargement of the liver that can be felt externally, a cold infusion of the fresh or dried herb is drunk three times a day for about seven days. The disease so treated [].
A poultice is used to promote suppuration of abscesses; an infusion is used as a gargle to treat a sore mouth. A steam inhalation is useful in the treatment of fevers[].
The plant is used as a bath to treat irritability of the skin, especially where there is intense scratching[].

The whole plant is used as a febrifuge and a tonic. It is given to children as a prophylactic against small-pox[, ].
The plant is useful as an application in the treatment of tumours, and is also used in the treatment of chronic fever, dropsy, and delirium, as well as in any disorder which arises from poisoning[, ].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -