It comes in many types, related to the cotton plant, but generally any plant which has long woody branches extending into a bush. It has short sharp crooked thorns resembling the beaks of birds. Its leaf resembles that of the rose. It has a delicate blossom that appears in the first part of spring. This is followed by fruit resembling warts in the size of olives, arranged like seeds attached to one another like blackcurrants. It’s colour is initially red. When ripe, it is black and sweet.
Cold and dry in the first degree.
Uses and Characteristics
Helpful as a remedy for pus-filled wounds, diarrhoea and a weak stomach, against raised haemorrhoids. Treats kidney stones, the coughing of blood, skin wounds. Treats thrush, and relaxes the gums. If the leaf is used as a bandage it treats itch. It is good for treating fever, head wounds and eye bulging. Eases the stomach, stops the flow of humidity to the womb.
Qim’, which is a type of hawthorn
From Hadiqat al-Azhar (The Garden of Blossoms) by al-Wazeer al-Ghassani, a 16th Century pharmacopoeia. Translated by Miriam Hicklin.