Alhagi pseudalhagi

Plant Name

Alhagi pseudalhagi (M. Bieb.) Fisch.

Botanical Info

A subshrub up to 1m heigh. The root system is strongly developed, reaching sometimes 10m in length.

Geography:

Grows on brown soils, sands, mainly in deserts and semi-deserts of the Central Asia and Kazakhstan. It also can be found in the southeast of the European part of Russia and the Caucasus. It is a common weed.

Chemical Content

Roots contains coumarins, tannins, an above-ground part – an essential oil, flavonoids, vitamins, alkaloids and other nitrogen-bearing compounds, tannins, alkaloids, an ascorbic acid among other components.

Traditional Use and Activity

Decoction and infusion of roots is used as haemostatic for hemorrhoids and dysentery. It is cholagogue, diuretic, purging agent in the treatment of liver diseases and stomach ulcer. When applies externally it heals wounds. Decoction of an above-ground part is also cholagogue used for treating colitises, gastritises, peptic stomach ulcer and other related disorders. The plant secretes “manna lichen”, which has purging, diuretic and febrifugal properties. The plant is commonly used in Asian medicine and is authorised for use in the Great Britain. It is a honey plant and feed.