Arak
Arak (lat. Salvadora persica) is an evergreen unpretentious shrub from the Salvadoraceae family, growing in poor desert soils and clayey areas.
This does not prevent the plant from storing in its roots, stems, leaves and fruits a large amount of active substances that can maintain human health. The plant is like a natural storehouse of antibiotics. In Pakistan and India, in a number of countries in the Middle East and on the northeastern edge of the African continent, where this unique shrub grows, for a long time local healers have used the medicinal properties of the plant against many diseases, and local residents have diversified their diet with Arak leaves.
Salvadora Persian
Since such a shrub does not grow on Russian lands, the name “Salvadora persica” is simply a translation of the Latin name “Salvadora persica”, assigned to the plant by botanists for its belonging to the Salvadoraceae family and one of its places of growth.
In Arabic, the branched shrub is called “Arak”. The dried medicinal leaves of the plant are sold under the same name by the Bedouins living in Egypt.
It is believed that Allah himself told people about the healing plant through the mouth of the Prophet Mohammed. Although people knew about the plant and its healing abilities much before the birth of Islam.
Description of the plant
Arak or Salvadora persica is an evergreen branching shrub with a gnarled trunk. Its long flexible roots, located closer to the surface of the earth, are dug by people to provide themselves with toothbrushes that maintain healthy gums and whiten teeth without any toothpaste or tooth powder. After all, the soft wood of the roots is saturated with substances that can destroy microbes and maintain the whiteness of tooth enamel.
Long flexible branches, under the weight of pubescent leaves, bend towards the sandy surface, forming fabulous tents in the desert. The wood of the stems is also soft and impregnated with the same healing substances, and therefore is also suitable for the production of toothbrushes.
The petiolate light green leaves are covered with hairs on the reverse side, turning the green leaf into a grayish one. The shape of the leaves is oval-oblong. The leaves serve not only for medicinal purposes, but also, having a mustard aroma, are suitable for preparing spicy dishes.
Yellow-green inflorescences-panicles of small flowers turn into clusters of green berries, which become red as they ripen, and when fully ripe, turn black. The pleasant smell of the inflorescences is the key to the sweetness and deliciousness of ripe fruits used for food.
Arak’s healing abilities
All parts of the bush are literally saturated with medicinal substances.
Soft wood contains large amounts of chlorine, a powerful fighter against germs and harmful bacteria; vital vitamin C; silicon dioxide, which is essential for modern toothpaste production; healing resin that maintains the integrity of teeth, and many other active substances.
Arak leaves are real natural antibiotics that are susceptible to pathogenic bacteria. For problems with intestinal function, a decoction of the leaves will help. Bronchitis, asthma, rheumatism, arthritis calm down when meeting the leaves of the plant. The leaves will help lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Arak berries are not only tasty, but also have a beneficial effect on the digestive organs, causing the stomach to work better, awakening a dormant appetite, and helping to get rid of many pains, including hemorrhoids.
