CHRIST’S THORN
Paliurus spina-christi
Common name: Christ’s Thorn
Latin name: Paliurus Spina-Christi
Other names: Crown of Thorns, Garland Thorn, Jerusalem Thorn
Family: Rhamnaceae
Habitat: Christ’s Thorn is native to Mediterranean region, southwest and central Asia. Grows on hedges, roadsides, on dry and sandy hills up to 3000 meters.
Description: Christ’s Thorn is a perennial, deciduous spiny shrub, growing 3 to 4 meters. It has woody, spiny stems, and oval, shiny green leaves. The plant flowers from July to August. Fruit is produced as a dry, woody nutlet.
Parts used: Fruits, leaves
Medicinal use: Christ’s Thorn has traditionally been used as a hypocholesterolemic, diuretic and anti-hypertensive agent.
Safety: Christ’s Thorn latex contains caustic and irritant chemicals. Contact to the skin and eyes should be avoided. General symptoms of ingestion are: abdominal pains, blistering, irritation of the mouth and throat, vomiting.