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Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC.
Pulicaria incisa (Lam.) DC.
Compiled by Dr. Salima Benhouhou
Arabic: nogd (this name is also given to Anvillea
radiata), shay gebeli
Targui: tamayut, ameyu
English: wild tea
French: pulicaire ondulée
Pulicaria undulata (L.) DC.
Pulicaria desertorum DC.
Pulicaria prostrata (Gilib.) Aschers.
Pulicaria: from the Latin pulex, flea. Several plants
belonging to this genus were used as insecticides;
undulata: referring to the undulated borders of the
leaves
Morphological description
A densely ramified woolly procumbent herb, occasionally behaving like a short-lived perennial,
reaching 50 cm.
The leaves are numerous, alternate, hairy, sessile, 34 cm. long, with undulating borders. The inflorescence, at the end of each stem, is a discoid head
with yellow tubular flowers on the receptacle and
yellow ligules on the outer edge. The capitulum is
no more than 3 cm. in diameter. The fruits are small
achenes surmounted with one or two rows of hairs.
The entire plant has a very agreeable scent.
It flowers in early spring in the northern Algerian
Sahara, and at any time after rain in the central
Algerian Sahara.
Although no problems are reported for this species,
human collection near settlement may be a threat
in the long term.
Geographical distribution
Local: Common in the Algerian Sahara.
Regional: Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Egypt.
Global: It is common throughout the Sahara,
including the Red Sea region and Sinai.
Ecology
The plant thrives in desert conditions with an
average 100 mm. rainfall a year. It is always found
on non-saline wadi beds and shows a wide ecological range from sandy to gravelly soils but preferring
sand-loamy soils.
Status
According to the IUCN criteria this Saharo-sindian
species falls into the "C" category.
Pharmacological action and
toxicity
It has an antialgetic and insecticidal action, and
antibacterial properties.
It is not reported as toxic by the Tuareg.
Constituents
Flavonol (dihydroflavonol), inuline, a nor-guaianolide and a glaucolide-like eudesmanolide, resin,
essential oils.
Part used
The leaves are collected in the spring and prepared
as an infusion, or dried as a poultice, to be taken
internally and used externally.
Pharmacopeias
Not relevant for this species.
Pharmaceutical products
Not relevant for this species.
Traditional medicine and local
knowledge
It is used for head colds, neuralgia, respiratory
problems and sinusitis.
Usually the sap of the fresh leaves is taken as
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
223
nose drops to relieve the sinuses. Poultices are
applied for headaches. For children, the plant is
used as an infusion. Some consider an infusion of
the plant good for diabetes.
It is sometimes added to tea. It is also a much
appreciated pasture plant.
In Egypt, an infusion of the leaves is used for
heart diseases and is considered as a carminative
and stimulant. Bedouins sometimes drink it
instead of tea.
References
Relevant to the plant and its uses
Khafagy, S.M., Metwally, A.M., Omar, A.A. 1976.
Isolation of dihydroflavonol from Pulicaria undulata (L.) Kostel. Pharmazie. 31(9). 649 p.
El-Kamali, H.H., Ahmed, A.H., Mohammed, A. S.,
Yahia, A.A.M., El-Tayeb, I.H. & Ali, A.A., 1998.
Antibacterial properties of essential oils from
Nigella sativa seeds, Cymbopogon citratus leaves and Pulicaria undulata aerial parts. FITOTERAPIA LXIX (1). pp. 77-79.
Abdel-Mogib, M., Dawidar, A.M.,.Metwally M.A &
Abou-Elzahab M. 1989. Flavonols of Pulicaria
undulata. Pharmazie 44. 801 p.
Rustaiyan, A. Habibi, Z. Saberi, M. & Jakupovic, J.,
1991. A nor-guaianolide and a glaucolide-like
eudesmanolide from Pulicaria undulata.
Phytochemistry. 30. pp. 2405-2406.
224
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
General references
Baba Aissa, F., 1999. Encyclopédie des plantes utiles. Flore d'Algérie et du Maghreb. Edition
Edas. 368 p.
Batanouny, K. H., 1999. Wild Medicinal Plants in
Egypt. The Palm Press. Cairo. 207 p.
Bellakhdar, J., 1997. La pharmacopée marocaine
traditionnelle. Médecine arabe ancienne et
savoirs populaires. IBIS Press. 764 p.
Benchelah, A.C., Bouziane, H., Maka, M. & Ouahes,
C., 2000. Fleurs du Sahara. Voyage et ethnobotanique avec les touaregs du Tassili. Ed.Ibis
Press, Paris. 255 p.
Boulos, L., 1983. Medicinal Plants of North Africa.
Reference Publication Algonac,
Michigan. 286 p.
Ozenda, P., 2004. Flore et végétation du Sahara. Ed.
CNRS, Paris. 662 p.
Quézel, P. & Santa, S., 1962-1963. Nouvelle Flore
de l'Algérie et des régions désertiques méridionales. CNRS, Paris, 2 vol. 1170 p.
Sitouh, M., 1989. Les plantes utiles du Sahara. Ann.
Inst. Nat. Agro. El Harrach, Alger, vol. 13, n°2.
pp. 583-658.
Trabut, L., 1935. Répertoires des noms indigènes
des plantes spontanées, cultivées et utilisées
dans le Nord de l'Afrique. Collection du
Centenaire de l'Algérie, Alger. 355 p.