Capparis spinosa
Botanical Nomenclature | Capparis spinosa |
Common Name | Caper Bush, Flinders Rose |
Taxonomy- Family | Capparaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Capparis spinosa is a spiny, perennial shrub growing from 1 to 3m, with oval, shiny, gray leaves, small, yellow thorns and big, irregular shaped flowers with white petals. The gray-green fruits (caper berries), are spherical, including a lot of seeds. The flowering lasts from May to September and the harvesting takes place in autumn. |
Region Found | Preveza, Arta, Thesprotia |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves, fruits, flowers, roots |
Active Substances | Flavonoids, quercetin glycosides, kaempferol glycosides, essential oil (which contains rutin glucocapparin, enzymes), sulfur glycosides, vitamins E, C, carotenoids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, sterols. |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant is administered in the form of herbal tea as analgesic, anthelmintic, laxative, orexigenic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant and vasoconstrictor. The herbal tea is recommended for the treatment of gastrointestinal infection, diarrhea, gout, rheumatism, cold and abdominal pain. It is applied externally either in the form of poultice or in the form of ointment, against hemorrhoids, bruises and other skin diseases. In folk medicine the herbal extract (mouthwash) is used against toothache and mouth sores. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as antidiarrheal, antirheumatic, analgesic and immune stimulant in the form of herbal tea (10g of dried herb in 100mL of boiled water, every morning before eating). It is applied externally to the skin in the form of ointment or poultice made from flower buds. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Plant's consumption may cause allergic reaction and dermatitis. |
References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Α' τόμος, σελίδες: 253-254 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 284-285, 3)http://www.academicjournals.org/article/article1380713445_Alyemeni%20and%20Sher.pdf 4)http://www.herbsofegypt.com/Egyptian-Herb/Capparis_Spinosa.htm 5)http://www.reherb.eu/el/content/capparis-spinosa 6)http://www.drugs.com/npp/capers.html |