Tamarix gallica L. Tamarix gallica L.
T. anglica WebbTamarix algeriensis Hort. Tamarix brachylepis Sennen Tamarix madritensis Pau & Villar Tamarix: according to Bonnier, this refers to a smallstream in the Pyrenees; gallica: from France
Arabic: fersig Berber: tazuat English: French tamarisk, saltcedar French: tamaris de France
■ Status According to the IUCN criteria this Mediterranean and
■ Morphological description
Saharo-sindian species falls into the "C" category.
A tall perennial shrub/small tree, densely ramified,
The French tamarisk, a common garden plant,
2-10 m. high. The purple-brown bark is initially
spreads vegetatively by adventitious roots or
smooth with numerous elongated lenticels, later
developing shallow splits and becoming roughwhen mature. The tiny, scale-like, 1-3 mm.-long
■ Part used
leaves are green or grey-green. The small flowers
The leaves and bark are collected in the spring and
have 5 lavender pink or white petals 1.5-2 mm.
prepared as an infusion, a decoction and a powder.
long, numerous on long, very slender, spike-like
This can be taken by mouth, or used as an external
racemes in terminal panicles. The fruits are small dry
capsules containing small cottony seeds. Thecapsules are conical, trigonous, tapering and pale
■ Constituents
Its principal constituent is an alkaloid, tamarixin,
Flowering starts around March and lasts until May.
along with traces of its aglocone, tamarixetin. The
In the central Sahara it has been observed in full
plant also contains a high level of tannin (ellagic
and gallic) and quercetol (methyllic esther).
■ Geographical distribution
■ Pharmacological action and Local: Common in Algeria. toxicity Regional: North Africa.
Astringent, tonic, diuretic, hepatic stimulant and
Global: Mediterranean and throughout the Sahara,
The plant is not reported to be toxic.
■ Ecology
■ Pharmacopeias
Tamarix gallica is abundant along streams and
wadis, on the banks of the rivers in moist sandysoil, with a high salt content. It has long taproots
■ Pharmaceutical products
that can penetrate to the deep water tables. The
Product Range Bonnisan, Geriforte (GeriCare /
French tamarisk thrives within a wide range of rain-
StressCare), Liv.52 (LiverCare), Liv.52 drops,
fall (around 600 mm./year in the Mediterranean
Digyton, Geriforte Aqua, Geriforte Vet, Liv.52 Vet.
regions to 100 mm./year in the Sahara).
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
■ Traditional medicine and local
Internet source 3 : http://www.naturalhealthcon-
knowledge
It is used as an anthelmintic, antihaemorrhoid andhaemostat and for diarrhoea and gingivitis.
The plant is used to cure dromedary galls. It is used
Bellakhdar, J., 1997. La pharmacopée marocaine
for dyeing and as fuel. It is very tolerant of maritime
traditionnelle. Médecine arabe ancienne et
exposure and is a good shelter hedge in coastal
savoirs populaires. IBIS Press. 764 p.
gardens. It is excellent for soil stabilisation thanks
Benhouhou, S.S. & Saadoun, N., 1986. Contribution
to its extensive root system and is suitable for use
à l'étude de la flore de la région de Béni-
Abbès. Undergraduate thesis. University of
In Tissint (Morocco), powdered Tamarix gallica is
given as a vermifuge and antidiarrhoeic. An infusion
Duke, J.A. Phytochemical Database, USDA - ARS -
of the leaves is taken for colds. It is considered as
NGRL, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center,
In the Dra (Morocco), the nomads lie on a bed of
Maire, R., 1940. Etudes sur la flore et la végétation
fresh leaves to ease rheumatic pain.
du Sahara central. Mem. Soc. Hist. Nat. Afrique Nord, Alger 3. pp. 1-433.
■ References
Ozenda, P., 1991. Flore et végétation du Sahara. Ed.
Quézel, P. & Santa, S., 1962-1963. Nouvelle Flore
Mukerjee, A.B. & Dasgupta, M., 1971. Cirrhosis of
de l'Algérie et des régions désertiques méridio-
Indigenous Drug: Liv.52. Journal of the Indian
Sitouh, M., 1989. Les plantes utiles du Sahara. Ann.
Inst. Nat. Agro. El Harrach, Alger, vol. 13, n°2.
http//www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/cgibin/pfaf/arr_html
Trabut, L., 1935. Répertoires des noms indigènes
des plantes spontanées, cultivées et utilisées
http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/herbfin-
Centenaire de l'Algérie, Alger. 355 p.
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
A Physical Simulation of Objects’ Behaviour by Finite Element Method, Modal Matching and Dynamic Equilibrium Equation LOME - Laboratório de Óptica e Mecânica Experimental DEMEGI - Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica e Gestão Industrial FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, R. Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal E-mail: {rpinho, tavar
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Tamarix gallica L.