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 creticum is a much-branched, erect to more or less prostrate perennial plant with stems that can become woody, especially near the base. The branches can be up to 40cm long, the plant growing up to 30cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Macaronesia, Mediterranean regions of Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Lebanon, northern Africa and south to Senegal

Habitat

Found on sand or gravel, or sometimes on gypsum, chalk or in saline places and is found on disturbed ground as well as in open semi-natural vegetation; at elevations from sea level to 1,150 metres[]

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.25 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is used in Libya to treat jaundice[].


The following notes were listed under Fagonia cretica (now Zygophyllum creticum). Since the uses are for a species native in India, they are most likely referring to Fagonia schweinfurthii (now Zygophyllum paulayanum)[]. The two species are very closely related, however, and the uses are very likely also applicable to this species[].
The plant (part not specified) is astringent, antiseptic, blood-purifier and febrifuge. It is applied to abscesses, scrofulous glands and wounds, and is also given as a prophylactic against smallpox[].

The bark is used in the treatment of dermatosis[].

An extract of the aerial parts is antiviral, antiamphetaminic and spasmogenic[].

Ashes of the plant are given to children suffering from anaemia[].

The aerial parts of the plant contain several triterpenoid saponins which gave sapogenin, nahagenin, and oleanolic acid. They also contain diterpenes, fagonone and its derivatives, besides flavonoids[].
The flavonoids, quercetin and kaempferol, when isolated from the leaves and flowers, showed antimicrobial activity[]
The fruits are rich in ascorbic acid[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -