Common Name:

General Information

Zygophyllum coccineum is a much-branched, erect, perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base; it can grow up to 75cm tall[],
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a condiment and a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea; Arabian Peninsula, noth to Syria and Lebanon

Habitat

Found in diverse habitats and different soil types. The plant is very common in the limestone wadis and plains of the Eastern (Arabian) desert and tolerant of saline soils. It dominates a community of widespread occurrence[].
there.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Zygophyllum coccineum is a native to subtropical regions where it grows in arid and semi-arid environments.

Edible Uses

Local people use the aromatic seeds instead of pepper[].

Medicinal

The plant (part not specified) is diuretic. It is used in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as rheumatism, gout, cough, asthma, hypertension and flatulent colic[]

The juice from the fresh leaves and stems is known to be used externally as an abrasive cleanser and as a remedy for the treatment of certain skin diseases[].

An aqueous extract of the plant has been shown to produce a lowering in blood pressure, and acts as a diuretic and antipyretic, local anesthetic, with antihistamine activity, stimulation and depression of isolated amphibian heart, relaxation of isolated intestine, contraction of uterus and vasodilation[].
The aqueous extract of the plant antagonized acetyl choline action on skeletal muscle, and acted additively to the muscle relaxant effect of d-tubocurarine[].


The plant icontains the active compounds Zygophyllin (0.28% in leaves, 0.18% in stems and 0.26% in fruits). Quinovic acid (0.36% in leaves, 0.31% in fruits and 0.47% in stems) and flavonoids such as kaempfero1-3- rutinoside[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -