Desert Diaries

An FYI on making hijrah and herbal living in KSA.

Names of Herbs, Spices & Everything Nice in ‘Arabic

بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم

الحمد لله رب العالمين وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه ومن اهتدى بهديه إلى يوم الدين أما بعد

 السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

 

Herbs ~ Spices

&

Everything Nice…..

Zhooraat

Zhooraat: Dried Herbs & Flowers

 

شِبِتّ - Dill: A garden plant used to give a special taste to food. Easy to grow with beautiful ferny growth, dill is a commonly grown herb.

Add to sauces, cheese, egg & fish dishes. Seeds make pickles. Mince leaves w/scissors, not knife to preserve flavor. Dill is grown for both its leaves and seeds. If you want the leaves, snip off the developing flower stalks to keep the plant from setting.

 

أُكالِبْتوس - Eucalyptus: Ornamental fragrance, medicine.

 

شَمَار - Fennel: A yellow-flowered umbelliferous plant, with fragrant feathery leaves used in sauce, salad.

·        Bronze Fennel: Ornamental, medicinal. This herb looks like Dill but has a great anise flavor. Distinctive bronze foliage makes this one decorative. It’s a fast grower so give it plenty of fertilizer. Use it as a cooked vegetable. Also with seafood. Seeds are used in hot breads, spiced beets and kraut.

·        Florence Fennel: Culinary and ornamental. Grown for its edible “bulb”. The bulb is formed from the swollen leaf bases. This bulb, which has an anise flavor and fleshy consistency, is sliced into salads or cooked as a vegetable.

·        Sweet Fennel: Culinary. This herb looks like Dill. Anise scented foliage. Blooms yellow clusters of flowers in second season. Prune plants to keep them dense and manageable. Fresh leaves can be gathered and used the first summer in salads or to garnish fish entrees.

 

إِبْرَةُ الرَّاعِي Geranium: Garden plant with red, pink or white flowers.

·        Lemon Bitter Angel Geranium: Culinary, fragrant, and used for teas.

·        Rose Scented Geranium: Use the leaves in herbal teas, jellies, sorbets, herbal butters, cake, or relax in a Rose milk scented bath.

There are many different types of Geranium which can be used in fruit cups, potpourri, herbal arrangements, crafts, and baking.

 

زَنْجَبِيل – Ginger: Medicinal, hot, spicy root used in cooking or preserved in syrup, or candied. It is also used to reduce the toxicity of some herbs. Allaah said,

 

وَيُسْقَوْنَ فِيهَا كَأْسًا كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا زَنجَبِيلًا

And they will be given to drink there a cup (of wine) mixed with Zanjabeel (ginger, etc.).

Al-Insaan 76:17

 

 

Tip:Label your herbs and spices in ‘Arabic. Read and pronounce its name every time you use it until you’ve memorized it. In Shaa Allaah this will help increase your ‘Arabic vocabulary for general conversation like cooking and eating well.

 

Haneefah

66 Comments on “Names of Herbs, Spices & Everything Nice in ‘Arabic

  1. Desert Diaries
    May 7, 2008

    Talbeenah: A Wonderful Prophetic Medicine

    Used for over 14 centuries, Talbeenah (Talbinah) treats the patient’s heart by easing sadness, anxiety and depression. Talbeenah water is a tonic which treats diarrhea.

    Other benefits of Talbeenah:

    strengthens the nervous system
    acts as a laxative
    softens and activates the liver
    rectifies insufficient bile secretion
    treats Tuberculosis and seepage in the breast
    treats general weakness
    corrects slow growth in children
    reduces inflammation of the intestines
    treats high blood pressure
    reduces blood cholesterol
    helps delay the symptoms indicating the onset of senility
    helps the body secrete the sleeping hormone

    Talbeenah decreased the incidence of the following diseases: Colon Cancer, Heart Disease, Osteoporosis (bone thinning) and male infertility.

    Daily Value: Carbohydrates: 66%, Protein: 15%, Fiber: 4%, Fat: 2%,
    Vitamin A, B, C & D

    Talbeenah flour (Barley) can also be used to make a special bread for diabetics.

  2. survivorsareus
    September 27, 2008

    Bismillaah

    Assalaamu Alaikum!

    Maasha Allaah! What a beneficial and interesting post. Thanks :D

    Sincerely & Gratefully
    Halimah bint David

  3. Essam EL Ebiary
    December 3, 2008

    Please advise in arabic the name of marjorm

  4. Desert Diaries
    December 7, 2008

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.

    ~ Jazaakillaahu khairan for your comment Halimah.

    ~ Essam, Marjoram is called “Marzanjush” in ‘Arabic.

  5. Racha
    January 15, 2009

    Please advise me of the English name for the Arabic herbal tea ‘Zhooraat’.

  6. amatullah ummismael
    January 30, 2009

    as salaamu alaykum,

    can one find talbeenah in egypt, inshaAllah?

    also, what is the name for thyme? it is used often by itself and in cough medicines. it clears up mucous and sometimes i just like to buy it in a liquid form and add to honey to give the kids. i would like to know how to ask for it. shukran.

    amatullah

  7. Desert Diaries
    January 30, 2009

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. I don’t know if Talbeenah is available in Egypt.

    زعتر – Za’tar – Thyme
    صعتر – Sa’tar – Wild Thyme

    There are different types of thyme. Read more about them here.

    Haneefah

  8. Halima
    February 2, 2009

    I have a problem..if any of you are an arab and knows english very well too, what do u call ( hab-ar-shad) in english???its a type of herb…if anyone knows please respond to me asap…will greatly appreciated!!!

    Thank u All!

  9. Desert Diaries
    February 4, 2009

    “Zhooraat” – said to cure asthma and relieve cold symptoms.

    The ‘Arabs don’t translate this word into English because it is made up of several dried herbs and flowers.

    Exact ingredients? – I don’t know, but I plan to find out :)

  10. Nisrinb
    March 12, 2009

    Please advise the english word for AL Kalab AL Hamdi (At mar) not sweet..

  11. Desert Diaries
    April 13, 2009

    I was reading two of my favorite herb and home remedy books and came across Habbatur Rashaad. The plant itself is called “Hurf,” “Qurratul ‘Ayn,” and “Ath Thuffaa.” The seeds are widely known as “Habbatur Rashaad.” English name: “Cress.” This herb is quite beneficial. Thank you for asking about it, I enjoyed the research!

    *Watercress is also called Hurf (Baqlah Maa-iyyah), Qurratul ‘Ayn and Ath Thuffaa.

    Nisrin, I have yet to come across anything concerning al Kalab al Hamdi.

    Haneefah

  12. Desert Diaries
    May 16, 2009

    I found Zhooraat in Sooq al Bawaadi. Sad to say that the salesman couldn’t tell me much about its ingredients. I may have to ask an old Bedouin woman about this (smiles). I uploaded a photo (above). I only recognize the Raspberry Leaves. It may contain Kaffu Maryam, Rijl Asad Leaves and Karkadee (not sure yet).

    Nisrin, still no info on Kalab al Hamdi (I did not forget about you).

    Haneefah

  13. Linda
    June 10, 2009

    What is the English name for kerkadi?

  14. Desert Diaries
    June 11, 2009

    Karkadee = Hibiscus.

    I found a bag of Zhooraat Shamiyyah at the supermarket. I’ll post the ingredients later on (I have to look a few words up).

  15. jabar jafar
    July 16, 2009

    what is the english name for halba

  16. Desert Diaries
    July 19, 2009

    Hulbah, Helbah, Halba = Fenugreek

  17. driss
    July 26, 2009

    I will know more

  18. Desert Diaries
    July 29, 2009

    Part 2 coming soon In Shaa Allaah.

    FYI per the great herb vs. (h)erb pronunciation debate….

    Usage Note: The word herb, which can be pronounced with or without the (h), is one of a number of words borrowed into English from French. The (h) sound had been lost in Latin and was not pronounced in French or the other Romance languages, which are descended from Latin, although it was retained in the spelling of some words.

    In both Old and Middle English, however, h was generally pronounced, as in the native English words happy and hot. Through the influence of spelling, then, the h came to be pronounced in most words borrowed from French, such as haste and hostel. In a few other words borrowed from French the h has remained silent, as in honor, honest, hour, and heir. And in another small group of French loan words, including herb, humble, human, and humor, the h may or may not be pronounced depending on the dialect of English.

    In British English, herb and its derivatives, such as herbaceous, herbal, herbicide, and herbivore, are pronounced with h. In American English, herb and herbal are more often pronounced without the h, while the opposite is true of herbaceous, herbicide, and herbivore, which are more often pronounced with the h.

    Source: Dictionary.com

  19. jacqueline
    August 23, 2009

    what is the arabic name for cumin many thanks

  20. Desert Diaries
    August 23, 2009

    Anytime Jacqueline. Cumin/cummin = Al Kammoon.

  21. Shemeem
    August 24, 2009

    Please help me to get the english names of the following Herbs.

    Barbeer, Ruwaid, Kalipatta

  22. Desert Diaries
    August 24, 2009

    I don’t have any info concerning Kalipatta and Ruwaid. As for Barbeer, it is commonly known as Marsh Barbel.

  23. Desert Diaries
    September 13, 2009

    Kalipatta = Sapodilla.

    Sapodilla = السبوتة (As Sabbootah) – Source: Al Mawrid English/’Arabic Dictionary.

  24. Said
    October 20, 2009

    What is the English name for duwele found in Yemen? Thank you.

  25. Desert Diaries
    October 28, 2009

    Duwele, never heard of it. I will try to find out In Shaa Allaah.

  26. abdel aziz
    July 7, 2010

    salam 3alikoum . where can find an herb called . 3oshbat sabaa…and zabad el bahr

  27. Elaine
    July 16, 2010

    Hello ! Can you tell me if you know of a herb that sounds like ‘Roda’ in arabic .. apparently it is used for rheumatic pains. Thank you !

  28. jess
    July 17, 2010

    the name of marjoram in arabic ( lebanese ) is mardakoush .

  29. Irena Haj
    September 11, 2010

    Please can you help? I haven t found anywhere the english name for mluheyi. I came here actually to ask about mardakoush :-) but I see it s been the last answer. Thank you !!!

  30. Desert Diaries
    September 12, 2010

    Irene, I think I know what you are looking for, but I want to be sure. I’ll get back to you.

    *Here are two more names for Marjoram: بردقوش’Bardaqoosh – عِتْرَة ‘Itrah.

    Elaine, I have a book covering Rheumatic pains. I’ll give you a list of herbs mentioned in it later on. Discuss them with a doctor or local herbalist before using them.

    Thank you Jess.

    Will post some info on “3oshbat saba and zabad el bahr” after confirmation, In Shaa Allaah.

  31. The Londoner
    September 23, 2010

    Assalamu ‘alaikum,

    I found this site after a very frustrating trip to the supermarket where I attempted to buy dry herbs. I don’t know the Arabic words for herbs such as basil, oregano or thyme, and I’ve found that I can’t get hold of mixed herbs either. Do you have any advice?

    BarakAllahu feeki!

  32. Desert Diaries
    September 24, 2010

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Wa feeki baarakallaah.

    Basil = ريحان Rayhaan

    Oregano = عطر النعناع ‘Itrun Na’naa’ or ‘Atirun Na’naa’

    See comment #7 for more on Thyme.

    Mixed herbs, you may want to purchase all your favs and DIY. I hope it works out for you.

  33. The Londoner
    October 8, 2010

    Jazaakillahu kullu khair!

  34. Desert Diaries
    October 10, 2010

    Aameen, wa laki kadhaalik.

  35. dee
    November 5, 2010

    hey i wanted to know whats pennyroyal and dong quai in arabic
    thank u very much

  36. Desert Diaries
    November 10, 2010

    No problem Dee.

    Dong Quai – Judhoorul Malaak جذور الملاك – It’s also called Hasheeshatul Malaak حشيشة الملاك

    *Some refer to it as Judhoor Hasheeshatul Malaak.*

    Pennyroyal – Na’na’ul Maa نعنع الماء

    Pennyroyal has a second name. Give me a bit to get it for you.

  37. Aisha
    November 23, 2010

    Asalam Alaykum

    Hi I was wondering if someone can tell me the name of cayenne powder in (yemeni)arabic? jazakhallah khayr

  38. Desert Diaries
    December 7, 2010

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam. I’ll ask the Yemenese and get back to you In Shaa Allaah.

  39. Desert Diaries
    January 13, 2011

    Pennyroyal is also known as Fulayyah spelled فلية and فليه.

  40. umm mustafa
    January 20, 2011

    Assalaamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh sis.
    could you recommend any herbal stores please?

  41. Desert Diaries
    January 21, 2011

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. I’m presently compiling a list of specialty shops, herbal and organic stores. I’ll mention a few now…

    Salaamah Dist. – On Sary, across the street from Krispy Kreme’s going towards Jarir Bookstore, there’s “Al Ataar al Hijaaz.” There’s also an specialty shop near it offering a variety of “Chinese Green Tea.” Across the way is the “Diet Center.” All of these shops are in close proximity to each other.

    Bawadi Dist. -Sooq al Bawadi to be exact. I visit most of the stalls offerings herbs, spices and natural products….no favorite in particular. If one doesn’t have what I need, I go to another.

    Safa District – Sooq al Marjaan. Same difference. I prefer Markaz Niemah near gate 8, but they’re all the same…really.

    I’m changing the blog around a bit. I’d like to focus on “Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet,” natural beauty, homeopathic cures, and all. The articles will still have a “life in Jeddah” twist, and fun stuff such as my adventures in the herb sooq, trying to figure out what to do with some sheep fat, ‘Arabic bits and all.

    Will get back to blogging regularly soon In Shaa Allaah.

  42. umm mustafa
    January 23, 2011

    JazakaAllahu khayr sis Haneefa BarakaAllahu feek, i’ll look forward to the new developments in the blog inshaAllah!

  43. Desert Diaries
    January 29, 2011

    Wa feeki baarakallaah. I’m excited…found some interesting stuff :)

  44. juwairiya
    February 21, 2011

    salam what is mint called in arabic?

  45. amilah
    February 26, 2011

    I think mint in arabic is na’na’ نعناع

  46. Desert Diaries
    March 2, 2011

    Amilah – Jazaakillaahu khairal jazaa dear ukhtee. :)

    Juwairiya – just so that you’ll know, na’na/mint is also spelled نعنع.

    Peppermint – النعنع البستاني An Na’na al Bustaanee and النعنع الفلفلي An Na’na al Filfilee.

    Wallaahu Aa’lam.

  47. Maher A.
    May 8, 2011

    Assalamu Alaikum.
    Can you please tell me what is the English name for “Khubbaizeh”.
    Thank you.
    Maher A.

  48. Desert Diaries
    May 9, 2011

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam. Khubbaaz, Khubbaiz, Khubbaazaa, Khubbaizeh = Mallow.

  49. najat
    August 30, 2011

    Assalamu Alaikum.

    can you please tel me what are the names in english for han-da-kok and ishbat al-kawthar or known as ( mokh-tit albadawiye ) and also bosfayr. need it as soon as possible.

    shukran : )

  50. najat
    August 30, 2011

    Assalamu Alaikum.

    sorry i wrote bosfayr but i meant abo-sfayr. dont know if it is the same thing but i need abo-sfayr please with the other items and where they can be found.

    thank you very much : )

  51. Desert Diaries
    August 31, 2011

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Here’s an entry on Handaqooq.

    In Shaa Allaah I will research the others and post a reply as soon as I can. Jazaakillaahu khairal jazaa.

  52. najat
    September 3, 2011

    Assalamu Alaikum

    Thankyou very much for this information. And please can you get back to me on the other items asap? Desperate for these items as it is very hard to find/get and need to find where i can order them from as soon as i get the english names. Thankyou very much sister. much appreciated : )

  53. Anonymous
    September 28, 2011

    As salaamu allykum..can anybody tell me the name of Indian Rhubarb in Arabic???
    more better is there a dictionary resource for arabic and english of herbal names.

    a lot of jazakAllah.

    salim.

  54. Desert Diaries
    September 29, 2011

    Wa ‘alaikumus salaam. Rhubarab is called راوند – Raawand.

    Zabad al Bahr/Lisaan al Bahr can be purchased at most local open air market places and herb shops. I will post a photo, recipes and a lil more about it later on today, In Shaa Allaah.

    Najat – I found Aboo Safeer….just searching for its name in English.

    Baarakallaahu feekum.

  55. Anonymous
    October 17, 2011

    what is Indian aloeswood in arabic ?

  56. Desert Diaries
    October 20, 2011

    It’s called عود الهندي Oud al Hindi.

  57. Anonymous
    November 20, 2011

    As Salaamu ‘Alaykum!

    Do you know where in Jeddah you can buy fresh basil?

  58. Heather Nic An Fhleisdeir
    December 18, 2011

    Hello! An aspiring herbalist in Dubai is seeking a scientific herbal identification reference book that gives the plant names in English and Arabic. Do you know of such a book and would you be able to help me, help her? Thanks

  59. Admin
    December 20, 2011

    Hi Heather. Sorry, no info at the moment. I’m searching for one myself. I’ll let you know if I find any goodies at a local bookstore, In Shaa Allaah.

  60. nadia
    January 29, 2012

    Assalam o allaikum, can you pls. tell me english name of arabic herb ”wers” thnks

  61. muhammad khan
    April 4, 2012

    as lam alykum, can u tell me the name of herb that was used by um e momneen aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) her.for face glow.n whitening.pls kindly tell me in english ,arabic n urdu. thanks.

  62. sarah
    May 18, 2012

    AS salamo alaykom. i have been trying for along time to find the correct name for herb/leaves found near Mount Uhd that are used to treat infertility. Somebody called them Medina Leaves but i cant find a proper name. in Pakistan in Urdu they are called “Nabi Booti” ( Nabi’s Herb). Please help me as i am in desperate need of them. they are famous for use to get pregnant.

  63. Hiba
    May 20, 2012

    What is kas3een in English please

  64. anya
    May 25, 2012

    what is the name of herb mallabinahملابينة in english…somebody told me that it helps in infertility…it consist of very small seeds like yeast and its powder green in color like henneh

  65. Admin
    May 26, 2012

    Nadia, here’s some info on Warss:

    Warss – Ceylon Cornel (Tree) – Umm Salamah (may Allaah be pleased with her) narrated, “The woman who has just delivered would remain for forty days afterwards [without praying or fasting]. One of us would then overlay Warss on her face to help against spots.”

    Warss is dry and hot in the second degree. The best type of Warss is the red one, which is soft in the hand and does not have much bran. Warss is used as an ointment to treat spots, rashes, and pimples that appear on the surface of the skin. Warss constipates, has a dyeing quality and helps against leprosy when taken as a drink.

    Warss has similar benefits of “Sea Coastus” and if it is used as an ointment it relieves Vitiligo (skin condition of unkown cause, characterized by patchy loss of pigment), rashes, pimples and ulcers.

    Excerpt Source: Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet
    By Imaam Ibn Qayyim Al Jawziyyah

    Sarah, “Kas’een is its name.

    Hibah, I don’t have a translation just yet, however, I have the herb and will post a photo of it in a different thread along with some related info.

    To the anonymous questioner (re: Basil aka Rayhaan) – It is extremely popular here in Saudi Arabia. You should be able to get it at any supermarket or keep an eye out for local street vendors.

    Anya and Muhammad, please give me time to do some research, In Shaa Allaah.

    Baarakallaahu feekum.

  66. Admin
    May 27, 2012

    In Shaa Allaah more research will be done on Kas’een. I’d like to make sure that the claims are legit and be able to show strong proof to back up said claims, bi idhnillaah. Baarakallaahu feekunna.

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This entry was posted on October 21, 2007 by in 'Arabic, Health, Herbs, Tea Time.

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