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Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Middle-East pp 151–161Cite as

Sarcopoterium spinosum

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Part of the book series: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World ((MAPW,volume 2))

Abstract

Sarcopoterium spinosum (L.) Spach (previously identified as Poterium spinosum L.) is a spiny rosaceaeous dwarf shrub, 30–60 cm in height, with branches ending in dichotomous and leafless thorns. It appears over a wide range of climatic conditions from the semi-arid ecotone between the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian vegetation zones to the sub-humid Mediterranean regions. The combination of the plant’s clonal and sexual reproduction contributes to its long term survival and dominance. The whole bush is used as fuel, for making fences and sheep pens, for making brooms and as stuffing for mattresses. One of the most quoted medicinal indications is the use of its root bark as a popular cure against diabetes and for dissolving kidney stones. Traditionally it is used as a tranquilizer and a potion prepared from its leaves is said to dispel fears. Green leaves, salted and spiced and soaked in saliva are used to cure eye complaints, and also as a lucky charm. Five pentacyclic triterpenoids were identified in Sarcopoterium spinosum, Tormentic acid is suggested to be the major constituent extract, and to mediate its anti-proliferative activity on several cancer cell lines.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neve Yaar; ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet-Dagan, Israel

    Zalmen Henkin

  2. Ariel University Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Tovit Rosenzweig

  3. Department of Plant Introduction and Seed Research, Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organization, Bet-Dagan, Israel

    Zohara Yaniv

Authors
  1. Zalmen Henkin
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  2. Tovit Rosenzweig
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  3. Zohara Yaniv
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zalmen Henkin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Introduction and Seed Research Institute of Plant Sciences, Agricultural Research Organisation, Bet-Dagan, Israel

    Zohara Yaniv

  2. The Aromatic, Medicinal and Spice Crops Unit Newe Ya’ar Research Centre, Agricultural Research Organization, Ramat Yishay, Israel

    Nativ Dudai

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Henkin, Z., Rosenzweig, T., Yaniv, Z. (2014). Sarcopoterium spinosum . In: Yaniv, Z., Dudai, N. (eds) Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Middle-East. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9276-9_7

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