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 paulayanum is a densely-branched, more or less erect perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base; it can grow up to 40cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northeast Africa - Egypt to Somalia and Kenya, through the Arabian Peninsula to Iran, Pakistan and India

Habitat

Locally common in gravel, sandy loam, gypsaceous or saline soils, or on rocky slopes; at elevations from sea level to 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.40 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A bath containing the juiced plant is used to relieve heat rash. The bath is also used as a preventative, taken once or twice during the hot summer months[].

The plant is pounded and mixed with milk, kept for three days and then rubbed all over the body as a cure for itch[].

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 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 -