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''Peganum harmala'', commonly called Esfand,〔Mahmoud Omidsalar (Esfand: a common weed found in Persia, Central Asia, and the adjacent areas ). Encyclopedia Iranica Vol. VIII, Fasc. 6, pp. 583-584. Originally published: 15 December 1998. Online version last updated 19 January 2012〕 wild rue,〔 Syrian rue,〔 African rue,〔 harmel,〔 or aspand〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.luckymojo.com/aspand.html )〕 (among other similar pronunciations and spellings) is a plant of the family Nitrariaceae. Its common English-language name came about because of a resemblance to rue (which is not related). The plant's seeds are especially noteworthy because they have seen continual use for thousands of years in the rites of many cultures.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.auntyflo.com/herb-dictionary/aspand-seed )〕 The plant has remained a popular tool in both folk medicine and spiritual practices for so long that some historians believe the plant may be the ancient "soma"〔Karel van der Torn, ed., "Haoma," ''Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible.'' (New York: E.J. Brill, 1995), 730.〕 (a medicinal aid that is mentioned in a variety of ancient texts but whose exact identity has been lost to history). It is a perennial plant which can grow to about 0.8 m tall,〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=''Peganum'' genus )〕 but normally it is about 0.3 m tall.〔 〕 The roots of the plant can reach a depth of up to 6.1 m, if the soil where it is growing is very dry.〔 It blossoms between June and August in the Northern Hemisphere.〔 (【引用サイトリンク】title=Erowid Syrian Rue Vaults: Smoking Rue Extract / Harmala ) 〕 The flowers are white and are about 2.5–3.8 cm in diameter.〔 The round seed capsules measure about 1–1.5 cm in diameter,〔 (【引用サイトリンク】title=Lycaeum > Leda > ''Peganum harmala'' ) 〕 have three chambers and carry more than 50 seeds.〔 ''Peganum harmala'' was first planted in the United States in 1928 in New Mexico by a farmer wanting to manufacture the dye "Iranian red" from its seeds.〔 Since then, it has spread invasively to Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Washington. "Because it is so drought tolerant, African rue can displace the native saltbushes and grasses growing in the salt-desert shrub lands of the Western U.S."〔 ==Traditional use== In Turkey, dried capsules from this plant are strung and hung in homes or vehicles to protect against "the evil eye".〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.luckymojo.com/aspand.html )〕 It is widely used for protection against Djinn in Morocco (see Légey "Essai de Folklore marocain", 1926). In Iran, and some other countries in the Arab world such as, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan , dried capsules mixed with other ingredients are placed onto red hot charcoal, where they explode with little popping noises in a way similar to American popcorn. When they burst a fragrant smoke is released. This smoke is wafted around the head of those afflicted by or exposed to the gaze of strangers while a specific prayer is recited. This tradition is still followed by members of many religions, including Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and some Jews. Several versions of the prayer accompanying the ritual, name of an ancient Zoroastrian Persian king, called Naqshaband, is used. He is said to have first learned the prayer from five protective female spirits, called Yazds.〔〔 The tradition of burning the plant to create cleansing smoke has reached as far as the Indian region of Kashmir, where the seeds are thrown into a charcoal fire used during the Vedic marriage rite or into charcoal pots as a way of warding off evil.〔〔 In Yemen, the Jewish custom of old was to bleach wheaten flour on Passover, in order to produce a clean and white unleavened bread. This was done by spreading whole wheat kernels upon a floor, and then spreading stratified layers of African rue (''Peganum harmala'') leaves upon the wheat kernels; a layer of wheat followed by a layer of African rue, which process was repeated until all wheat had been covered over with the astringent leaves of this plant. The wheat was left in this state for a few days, until the outer kernels of the wheat were bleached by the astringent vapors emitted by the African rue. Afterwards, the wheat was taken up and sifted, to rid them of the residue of leaves. They were then ground into flour, which left a clean and white batch of flour.〔Yiḥyah Salaḥ, Questions & Responsa ''Pe'ulath Ṣadiq'', vol. I, ''responsum'' # 171, Jerusalem 1979; ''ibid''., vol. III, ''responsum'' # 13 (Hebrew)〕 ''Peganum harmala'' has been used to treat pain and to treat skin inflammations, including skin cancers. ''Peganum harmala'' has been used as an emmenagogue and abortifacient agent.〔http://www.thenook.org/archives/tek/06332ott.html〕 The "root is applied to kill lice" and when burned, the seeds kill insects and inhibit the reproduction of the ''Tribolium castaneum'' beetle. It is also used as an anthelmintic (to expel parasitic worms). Reportedly, the ancient Greeks used the powdered seeds to get rid of tapeworms and to treat recurring fevers (possibly malaria).〔 〕 A red dye, "Turkey red", from the seeds (but usually obtained from madder) is often used in western Asia to dye carpets. It is also used to dye wool. When the seeds are extracted with water, a yellow fluorescent dye is obtained.〔 (【引用サイトリンク】title=Mordants ) 〕 If they are extracted with alcohol, a red dye is obtained.〔 The stems, roots and seeds can be used to make inks, stains and tattoos.〔 (【引用サイトリンク】title=Aluka — Entry for ''Peganum harmala'' Linn. (ZYGOPHYLLACEAE ) ) 〕 Some scholars identify harmal with the entheogenic ''haoma'' of pre-Zoroastrian Persian religions.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Peganum harmala」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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