Alhagi graecorum Boiss Alhagi graecorum Boiss, Fabaceae Alhagi mannifera Jaub. & Spach, Alhagi maurorum sensu auct. , Alhagi tourmefortii Helder. (Medic) Names Arabic: Aqool English: Carnel thorn, Manna tree, Persian manna plant. I Part(s) Used All plant parts including the roots I Preparations: Compiled by: Prof. F. M. Hammouda, Prof. S. I. Ismail, Dr. N. S. Abdel-Azim and Dr. K. A. Shams Decoction Edited by: Prof. K. H. Batanouny I Use Oral, ointment I Morphological Description It is a deep rooted, rhizomatous, perennial shrub, I Constituents with roots that can extend six to seven feet into the The plant contains carbohydrates, flavonoides, ground. The spiny, intricately-branched shrub sterols, resin, anthraquinones and saponines. All reaches 1.5 to 4 feet in height. The plant, which is plant parts contain volatile oil except for the roots. greyish green and hairless, has simple, entire leaves I Pharmacological Action and that are alternately arranged. The leaf shape is oval Toxicity to lance-shaped. The small pea-like flowers are The plant grown in wet soil lacks the cardio tonic pinkish purple to maroon and are borne on short, activity characteristic of the same plant grown in spine-tipped branches that arise from the leaf very dry sandy soil. Plant tincture increases the axials. The reddish-brown to tan fruits are consid- amplitude of beat and the cardiac output is ered between the seeds, with a short narrow beak augmented in spite of any slowing that may occur. at the end. Injection into a dog lowered the blood pressure. I Geographical Distribution I Pharmacopoeia Local: Common in all the phytogeographical Not available regions of the country. I Regional: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Niger and Suddan. Phytopharmaceutical Products Global: Native to North Africa, Middle East and Not available South East Europe. It is also found in Russia, Iran, I Traditional Medicinal Uses Iraq and Saudi Arabia. • Analgesic I Ecology • Anti-tussine • Anti haemorrhoides It occurs mainly in deep moist soil, but also in dry, • Anti-rheumatic rocky or saline soils. The plant is abundant along • Aphrodisiac river banks, canals and irrigation ditches, and it • Diuretic sometimes spreads into cultivated fields. • Laxative I Status It is unpalatable and injurious to some animals. Other uses of the plant: Not available A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa 21 I References Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Hoseeini, A. M.; Fahim, I. and Hammad, H. A. A., Egypt. The World Conservation Union (IUCN), Proc. Pharm. Soc. Egypt., 37, 9, 107-112 Switzerland. pp. 120-122. (1955). Boulos, L. (2002). "Flora of Egypt", volume two, pp. 340, printed by Al Hadara Publishing, Cairo, General References Egypt. Batanouny, K. H., (1999). "Wild Medicinal Plants in Tackholm, Vivi. (1974) "Student`s Flora of Egypt". Egypt". (With contribution of: E. Aboutabl, M. 2nd edition, Cairo University, Egypt. Shabana & F. Soliman). With support of the Wikipedia. "The Free Encyclopedia". Swiss Development Co-operation (SDC). 22 A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa.