Camel thorn: treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases

Once upon a time there lived in the desert a humble camel grass, says one fairy tale. Not only camels, but also other animals loved her, and when the poor plant became completely unbearable from such attention, the desert neighbors advised it to turn... into a thorn. Having buried themselves once or twice in sharp thorns, the animals left to look for other food. And only the hungry camel continued to chew his favorite treat as if nothing had happened...

Fairy tales are fairy tales, but centuries have passed, and camel thorn has already become an indispensable assistant for people: its medicinal properties and culinary advantages are simply worth its weight in gold. A tonic tea, aromatic honey, a healing decoction and an unusual dessert - all this is one small but very useful thorn.

Desert symbol

The camel thorn (and also jantak, or yantak) is considered a real symbol of the desert. It looks inaccessible, dry, barren, but inside there is a real pharmacy, a pastry shop and a tea shop.

Even if you have never seen a camel thorn in person, its photo will probably seem familiar. Very often, images of the world's deserts show not only luxurious dunes with long caravans, but also a modest thorn. The ship of the desert is the camel, the main plant is camel thorn. Why not a sweet couple?

Since ancient times, camel thorn has been stored for livestock feed - like ordinary hay. But only camels can really chew a “live” thorn. It's all about a special organism - the digestive tract of desert ships perfectly digests thorns and needles. And the oral mucosa is designed in such a way that animals do not feel pain at all from yantak.

What does it look like?

Jantak are low, lush shrubs, very thorny and very beautiful. The graceful silver-green leaves are quite fleshy and juicy, and their tiny size allows them to actively store moisture and hardly evaporate it.

The charming pink-red inflorescences of Yantaka subtly resemble our meadow mouse peas (how could it be otherwise, they are the same family - legumes).

The thorn always has enough water for its flowers and leaves. Thanks to its powerful root system, it is able to draw moisture from underground ground sources, even at a depth of 17-20 meters. And this is not a record yet - during the construction of the Suez Canal, “camel” roots 33 meters long were dug out of the ground!

Deserts of Russia

Map of the location of deserts in Russia
There are also small desert areas on the territory of the Russian Federation. They extend from the Caspian lowland to China. To the north is the Arctic Desert.

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Chara Sands

Charsky Sands
In the Kalarsky district of the Trans-Baikal Territory there are Charsky Sands. At the federal level, this area is recognized as a geological monument of geomorphological type. Swamps and deciduous taiga stretch around the sandy massif. Here you can observe how desert ridges and dunes were formed. In the northeast there are steep slopes. Some of the territory is covered with vegetation.

Ryn-Sands

Ryn-Sands
In the Caspian lowland there are mounds and dunes of Ryn-Sands. The desert area is 40,000 km2. Sand has been brought here for years from nearby lakes and rivers. Shrubs and grasses are found in this area. Dry winds and storms can often be observed. Fresh groundwater lies at a depth of 2m. Among the small vegetation on the hillocks there are aspen, alder, and poplar. The territory of Ryn-Sands is considered the Ordynsky geobotanical reserve.

Batpaisagyr

Batpaysagyr
On the territory of Kazakhstan, the Krasnoyarsk Territory, and the Astrakhan Region there is a sandy massif called Batpaysagyr. Its area is 1,000 km2. Over the years, dunes and dunes have formed here. Fine vegetation allows livestock to graze all year round. The massif is surrounded by salt lakes.

Archedinsko-Don sands

Archedinsko-Don sands
The Archedinsko-Don sands were formed in the Volgograd region. They are part of the Ust-Medveditsky natural park. The desert area covers 200,000 hectares. Here you can find mounds up to 11 m high. Groundwater lies at a depth of 1 m. Vegetation includes juniper, buckthorn, thyme, and cinquefoil. Sometimes you come across pine groves. There are many animals and birds in this area.

Where does it grow?

Due to its incredible hardiness, the jantak became a nightmare for gardeners and farmers in the New World. In American gardens, such a weed behaves worse than our woodlice and chickweed. This begs the question: if camel thorn is so ubiquitous, where does this miracle grow? Is it really not only in deserts?

Heat, dry air and potential groundwater - this is what a yantak needs for complete happiness (well, a camel nearby would not hurt). Her home is the expanses of North Africa, Iraq and Iran, Afghanistan, the Kyzylkum and Karakum deserts, the sunny steppes and foothills of the Caucasus, Asia Minor and Central Asia, the Urals and Western Siberia.

Since ancient times, residents of Iran and neighboring countries cannot get enough of the healing Persian variety of yantak: camel thorn tea was taken with them on hikes by ancient nomads. Like an excellent energy drink and a powerful antibiotic medicine: what if they get poisoned by something on the road? And in Kazakhstan they cherish the Kyrgyz thorn like the apple of their eye. It is included in the register of medicines of the republic, and honey from it is traditionally brought from Asia as a rare souvenir.

Geographical features

Map of the location of deserts on Earth
Deserts formed on ancient land areas. In Africa, Asia and Australia they are located at an altitude of 200-600 m above sea level. In North America it is much higher - 1000 m. Desert areas usually surround or border mountains. Elevations delay the entry of cyclones and rainfall occurs in mountainous areas. Deserts receive little or no precipitation. The surface layer of soil depends on the geology of the territory and the natural phenomena affecting it.

Climate

Temperatures in the desert can exceed 50 degrees Celsius.
Climatic conditions in deserts are warm and dry. They depend on geographical location. The dry air of the area does not protect the soil from solar radiation. In the Sahara, the maximum temperature can reach +58 °C. At night the indicator drops to 0°C or even to minus level. The soil cools quickly. The temperature range can be from 20 °C to 40 °C.

Relief

A desert in Arizona with a varied topography.
The topography of deserts is formed under the influence of wind and water. They lead to erosion, blowing, and accumulation of sand masses. Temporary or permanent watercourses influence the formation of terrain. These include deep, never-ending rivers (Nile, Colorado). After heavy rain, temporary water flows appear. They create deposits near slopes and form cones. Sometimes these peaks can merge with each other and form bajadas. Water flows can form ravines, gullies, and badlands.

The wind creates a variety of landforms. It carries dust over long distances. Flying sand settles on rocks, and a landscape is formed in the form of towers, spiers, windows, arches. Sometimes an air mass carries away all the sand from the surface, and only colorful pebbles remain. This phenomenon can be observed in the Arabian Desert and the Sahara.

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Sand and dust may accumulate in other areas. Dunes form there. They become denser in places where the wind encounters an obstacle. There are dunes that rise up to 300 m. These accumulations are fixed by plants or moved further by winds. In a year, a dune can move 10 m. Sometimes in the desert there are dunes, crescent-shaped deposits with high slopes and horn-shaped points. Due to the wind and the uneven distribution of sand, depressions are formed in deserts.

Interesting fact : Canada has the smallest desert - Carcross. Its territory occupies only 2.5 km2.

In official medicine

We figured out what camel thorn looks like and where it lives. Why is it so useful? Kazakh scientists did not just seek official recognition of jantak - this was preceded by years of persistent research.

The main wealth of the thorn is its antibacterial properties. Juicy desert grass successfully fights staphylococci and streptococci, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and is an excellent hepatoprotector and antioxidant.

Thanks to a powerful vitamin complex (A, K, C and P), jantak-based products can be used to strengthen capillaries. In their action they are not inferior to the classic routine.

In official oriental medicine and pharmacology, the biological complex alchidine is actively used, the source of which is precisely it, camel thorn. Many pharmacies in Central Asia will offer treatment based on alchidine. These are “Zhaltak” syrup for the treatment of poisoning, “Alchidine” effervescent tablets for liver health, alchidine ointment against skin diseases and other drugs.

In folk medicine

What about “grandmother’s recipes”? How are camel thorn used in them? The use of yantak in folk medicine is also largely based on its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Any infections (both viral and bacterial), inflammatory processes, skin diseases and even hemorrhoids recede under the powerful action of desert vitamins and flavonoids.

Unofficial medicine uses camel thorn herb to treat:

gastrointestinal disorders (including dysentery);
purulent otitis;
any colds;
ordinary and purulent sore throat;
diseases of the oral cavity;
wet cough (as an expectorant);
bloody hemorrhoids;
edema (as a diuretic);
gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcers;
eczema and purulent wounds;
burns and cuts;
rheumatism and arthritis, joint pain.

Contraindications

The unusual composition and strong medicinal properties at one time made jantak the object of close attention of world chemists and biologists. After a thorough study of all the “prickly” alkaloids, the researchers decided to include camel grass in the group of non-toxic drugs of class IV toxicity. That is, they are not dangerous to human health.

Because of this, many online directories still write that Yantak has no contraindications, everyone can be treated without restrictions. But this is not true at all.

Even if the plant is absolutely harmless, it will always have one contraindication - individual intolerance to the components of the medicinal herb. Camel thorn, in addition to the notorious intolerance, has other prohibitions on treatment:

sweating disorders (hidrosis);
inflammation of the urinary system;
kidney and gallstones;
strong tendency to constipation.

Fauna

Deserts have developed harsh conditions. It is very difficult for animals to survive where there is no water, dry air, or winter coolness. In such an area there are inhabitants constantly moving in search of food and drink. Here you also need to constantly seek shelter from predators.

Camel

Camel
The main inhabitant of the desert is the camel. This large animal has adapted to life in arid areas. It has one or two humps on its back, depending on the species. They contain fat, which, when oxidized, turns into water and helps quench thirst. Humps also regulate body temperature and prevent it from dropping. An adult can weigh up to 800 kg. The coat color varies from red-gray to dark brown. The animal is so adapted to desert conditions that it can even lie on hot soil. It uses wormwood, camel thorn, saxaul, and hodgepodge as food.

Interesting fact : the camel has an excellent sense of smell. It can sense moisture or water from a distance of 30-60 km.

Caracal

Caracal
Caracals are found in the desert regions of Africa, Asia, and Kazakhstan. This feline animal is also called the “steppe lynx.” An adult animal weighs from 10 to 20 kg. You can recognize it by the tassels at the ends of its ears. The unusual structure of the paws and the pads on them help the caracal move along the sand. They cut up prey (rodents, reptiles, birds) with sharp fangs and claws. This animal can go for a long time without drinking. During the night, the caracal covers a distance of up to 20 km.

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Striped hyena

Striped Hyena
Hyenas are found in African and Asian desert areas. This mammal is distinguished by an elongated muzzle, large ears, and a powerful jaw. The color of the coat varies from straw-gray to brown-gray. There are dark stripes on the body, head and legs. In addition to rodents, birds and reptiles, the hyena feeds on carrion.

Scorpion

Scorpio Scorpions
live in hot deserts. Some species are dangerous to humans due to their poison. The animal's body is hidden under a chitinous shell. There are six pairs of limbs. During the day they hide in holes, and at night they hunt insects and spiders. Scorpions have a special sting with which they kill their prey.

Interesting fact : a scorpion can go without food for up to 2 years without harm to health.

Gray monitor lizard

Gray monitor lizard
A rather large lizard is the gray monitor lizard that lives in the desert areas of Asia and Africa. It can reach up to 50 cm in length. The body color is sandy gray, light brown. The animal is active during the day. Lays eggs for reproduction. This predator feeds on rodents, snakes, turtles, and birds.

Desert manna

Not only ancient eastern nomads and modern Kazakh doctors knew about the healing properties of camel thorn. The discoverer of a good half of medicinal herbs (including garden mint and dill), Avicenna, on his Persian soil, simply could not ignore yantak. But he wrote not only about him, but also about the mysterious yantik manna. What is it?

Desert thorn contains not only vitamins and antioxidants, but also many sugars. As the sugars evaporate, they appear on the leaves as a yellowish-white powder, rolling into small lumps. They are collected in a very original way: they spread a large piece of cloth on the ground and hit the bushes with a stick. The lumps fall onto the mat - and the healing dessert is ready!

The official name of camel manna is taranjubin. In ancient times, it was not just a delicacy, but a universal medicine. Taranjubin perfectly quenched thirst, relieved cough, constipation, and even helped reduce sugar in diabetes.

And folk recipes recommend this sweet gift of the desert for the treatment of... impotence. Young people are advised to dissolve manna in fresh milk, and older people are advised to mix it with gulob (extract from Damask rose), adding beaver stream or ginseng.

Use of camel thorn

The main recipes with camel thorn are decoctions, infusions, baths and that famous tonic tea. It’s very simple to prepare: just buy camel grass in a pharmacy or online store, brew it like regular black tea, and drink it calmly.

In other recipes, camel thorn is prepared differently - its use depends on what disease you are going to treat.

Decoction for colds and sore throats

Pour 3 large spoons of desert grass into a glass of boiling water and place on the stove. We wait 4 minutes after it boils and leave until it cools to room temperature. Then we filter and drink half a glass three times a day. And for a sore throat, we gargle.

Infusion for skin diseases and hemorrhoids

Pour boiling water over 4 tablespoons of dry thorns and leaves (2 cups). Leave for strictly 2 hours, then strain, squeeze and pour into the bath. The duration of the treatment procedure is 30 minutes, you need to take a bath every other day for a week.

Properties of camel thorn honey

Camel thorn honey is the real pride of beekeepers from Asia Minor and Central Asia. Yantak is a rare plant; honey is collected only in a few areas (Kyrgyzstan and neighboring republics), so this desert dessert is quite expensive.

Already by the appearance of Jantak honey one can understand all its unusualness. The color ranges from ash-white to rich cream, there is practically no smell, and the taste is delicate, subtle and very soft. This honey crystallizes very quickly, acquiring an interesting granular consistency.

Still an amazing combination: honey, camel thorn... The beneficial properties of this dessert combine the healing qualities of all types of honey: antibacterial effect, the ability to remove toxins and waste, treat a sore stomach and intestines, benefits for sore joints.

Jantaka honey is also a real natural antidepressant and energy booster. A cup of tea with this oriental honey will instantly fill you with energy, relieve fatigue and lift your spirits. Especially if you are a real gourmet sweet tooth.

Use of the plant for sinusitis

This is a low plant, the stem curls and has thorns.
The root system is powerful, and the roots can reach 45 meters. The stems are bare, along the entire length there are spines, which are formed as a result of modifications of the axillary shoots. It blooms with pinkish and reddish buds from May to the end of August. Widely distributed in deserts and semi-deserts, can often be found in Africa, Asia, and the Arabian Peninsula. It also often grows in the Caucasus, the south of the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan.

Favorable places for the spread of the subshrub are steppes, wastelands, sands, and river banks. The thorn loves sunny places, but does not like windy ones. The plant is propagated by cuttings and seeds.

Burnaki is the popular name for the plant Prickly carp. This is an annual plant that reproduces by seeds. The leaves are light green in the shape of a pentagonal star, the fruits are medium-sized, and there are a large number of spines on the surface. When unripe, the fruit is oblong, spiny, and green in color. When ripe, it changes color to brown and develops thorns instead of spines.

This plant has many names - false cucumber, camel thorn. Grows in Russia, Asia, Japan and China. The powder for use is sold in pharmacies; if a plant or fruit is available, the whole fruit is used for treatment.

Burnaki is widely used to treat sinusitis, and the leaves and seeds of the plant are used. There are several ways to use it.