In the enchanting tapestry of nature, the Sidr tree (Ziziphus spina-christi), known by various names such as Lote tree, Christ’s Thorn, the Jujube, or Nabkh tree, and it is a tree weaves a story that transcends religious boundaries. Beyond its status in Islam and Christianity, the Sidr tree plays a unique role in Jewish traditions, the beginning of monotheism and which Christianity and Islam is based.
According to the Jewish Library two species of jujube grow wild in Israel: the wild jujube (Zizyphus spina-Christi) and the lotus jujube (Zizyphus lotus). The first is a tall tropical tree with dense, prickly branches (from which, according to Christian tradition, Jesus’ crown of thorns was made, hence its scientific name), growing in the hot regions of Israel.
The second is a prickly desert bush, bearing small floury fruit; it grows wild in North Africa where the people make bread from it. These are “the lotus eaters” mentioned by Herodotus (Historiae, 4:177).
Also growing in Israel is the cultivated jujube (Zizyphus vulgaris) which produces a large fruit with an excellent flavor. This is the sheizaf of rabbinic literature which is commonly grafted on to the wild jujube, called rimin, the two species being counted as diverse kinds (kilayim) according to halakhah (Kil. 1:4). The fruits of the wild jujube are tasty but were not highly thought of (cf. Dem. 1.1).
This tree, widespread in the wadis of the Arabah and the Jordan Valley, is identified with the ze’elim (lotus trees, AV “shady trees”) of Job 40:21–22 under which the behemoth lies near the banks of the Jordan. Near Ein Hazevah in the Arabah grows a huge wild jujube which is counted among the oldest trees in Israel.
The Wondrous Sidr Honey and its Healing Powers
At the heart of the Sidr tree’s significance lies the mystical Sidr honey, cherished for its unique properties across cultures. The Sidr tree, resilient and deep-rooted, grows in coastal, desert, and semi-desert areas, spanning regions from India and Pakistan to Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and the southern Arabian Peninsula. Yemen’s sidr honey makers are very well known.
From the leaves of the jujube (sidr) to its fruits, roots, and bark, the sidr tree is a treasure trove of medicinal wonders:
The leaves, rich in calcium, iron, and magnesium, hold therapeutic prowess, serving as components in natural wound disinfectants and herbal shampoos.
The fruits, with protein-rich seeds, offer high nutritional value, boosting energy and fortifying the immune system. Even the ashes of the Sidr tree find purpose in treating snakebites, showcasing its versatile role in traditional medicine. Here are some folk medicines from Bedouin in Israel.
Sidr is Allah’s tree and it could stop climate change
A testament to resilience, the Sidr tree has weathered ancient floods and stands tall alongside the Tamarisk and the Mustard Tree. Belonging to the Ziziphus family of plants, it reaches an average height of 7-8 meters, with soft, gray-yellowish branches, yellow flowers, and round fruits turning reddish when ripe.
In Islam, the Sidr tree is mentioned four times in the Quran, signifying both earthly and heavenly connections. The Sidr tree is considered sacred because it is mentioned in the Quran as being one of the plants in Paradise.
The sidr tree is also believed to be a great candidate for slowing climate change. The plant has a rare ability to thrive in harsh desert communities. It can do well in intense sunlight and without much water in the Middle East.
 to its fruits, roots, and bark, the sidr tree is a treasure trove of medicinal wonders:The leaves, rich in calcium, iron, and magnesium, hold therapeutic prowess, serving as components in natural wound disinfectants and herbal shampoos.){kind=link}