Health Benefits
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Tuesday, June 24
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest
    Health Benefits
    • Home
    • Dental Health
    • Mental Health
    • Weight Loss
    • Health Wiki
    • Nutrition
    • Healthy Recipe
    Health Benefits
    Home»Herbs and Spices»Health benefits of Common Ice Plant
    Herbs and Spices

    Health benefits of Common Ice Plant

    By SylviaOctober 20, 2019Updated:October 20, 2019No Comments8 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

      Common Ice plant scientifically known as Mesembryanthemum crystallinum is a prostrate succulent plant belonging to Fig-marigold family Aizoaceae. The plant is native to northern Africa (i.e. northern Algeria, northern Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt), south-western Africa (i.e. Namibia and South Africa), western Asia and southern Europe (i.e. Italy, south-western Yugoslavia, south-eastern France and Spain), and naturalized in North America, South America and Australia. The plant is covered with large, glistening bladder cells or water vesicles, reflected in its common names of common ice plant, crystalline ice plant or ice plant. Some of the popular common names of the plant are common ice plant, common iceplant, crystalline ice plant, ice plant, ice-plant, fig marigold, frost plant, diamond plant, mid-day flowers, dew plant, Diamond ficoides, Edible iceplant, Glacier lettuce and also fig.

    Scientific name Mesembryanthemum was derived from the Greek word mesembria, which means ‘midday’ and anthemum, meaning ‘flower’, and came from a belief that the plants only flowered at midday. After some time, night-flowering species were discovered, and the name seemed inappropriate and was then changed so that it could indicate a flower with its fruit in the middle i.e. mesos,  meaning ‘middle’, embryon, ‘embryo’ or ‘fruit’, and anthemom, ‘flower’. The species name crystallinum, means ‘with crystals’, which refers to the ice-like bubbles which are found on the leaves and stems. Common name ice plant is thought to be inspired by the glistening, ice-like bubbles on the leaves and stems, but is also reported to have arisen because it is claimed that even on the hottest day; the leaves are cool to the touch. The plant is covered with bladder cells, enlarged epidermal cells. The main function of these bladder cells is to reserve water. The plant is not to be confused with New Zealand spinach, which is occasionally referred to in gardening booklets as New Zealand ice plant.

    Plant Description

    Common Ice plant is a low growing, annual or biennial, robust succulent herb or dense prostrate shrub that usually grows about 1 meter tall.  The plant can be annual, biennial or perennial, but its life cycle is usually completed within several months, depending on environmental conditions. The plant is found growing in maritime sands, salt marshes, roadsides, cliffs, over-grazed areas, and areas of coastal erosion, rubbish dumps and homestead yards. It also occurs in a range of vegetation communities, including saltmarsh; samphire flats, eucalypt woodlands and shrub lands.  The plant can be found on wide range of soil types, from well-drained sandy soils (including sand dunes), to loams and clays. It prefers acid, neutral or alkaline soils, but can tolerate nutritionally poor or saline soils as well. Stems are trailing, diffusely procumbent, dichotomously branched up to 1 meter long, internodes terete 6 mm in diameter. The stems can range from green to red.

    Leaves

    The leaves are ovate to spathulate, forming a tear-drop-shape, with wavy margins, and die from the apex when they are older. Leaves are sessile or petiolate, opposite, or in the branches alternate, petiole, more or less stem clasping. Blade is ovate or spathulate, flat, acute or acuminate, basal leaves are largest; 2-20 cm long, and 3.5 cm broad, margin undulated. Bladder cells are very large, rounded to elongate. They are yellowish or grassy-green when new, but become rusty-orange with age.

    Flower

    Each flower appears singly and has numerous thin petals, 5 sepals, and many short stamens. The flowers are 30–50 mm across and the color of the flowers ranges from white to pink to mauve. The flower stalks are also succulent, with the crystals ranging from green to red, however, this varies from location to location. Flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects. Flowering normally takes place from July to September. Flowers open in the morning and close at night.

    Fruit

    Fertile flowers are followed by broad-oblong capsules borne singly, containing many seeds per cell. They are about 6–11 mm long, 5–8 mm wide, perianth lobes sharply reflexed at maturity.

    History

    Though it was once grown in California, Australia, the Mediterranean as a decorative plant, it has become more commonly known as an invasive species and a threat to native vegetation. Ice plant was first introduced to California in the early 20th century when it was used to stabilize soil along railroad tracks. There are other forms of this plant which are popular in Asian regions that are also used in the same way, to help control erosion.

    Common Ice plant Image Gallery
    Closer-view-of-Flower-of-Common-Ice-plant Closer-view-of-Flower-of-Common-Ice-plant
    Common-Ice-plant Common-Ice-plant
    Flowers-of-Common-Ice-plant Flowers-of-Common-Ice-plant
    Fruits-of-Common-Ice-plant Fruits-of-Common-Ice-plant
    Leaves-of-Common-Ice-plant Leaves-of-Common-Ice-plant
    Plant-Illustration-of-Common-Ice-plant Plant-Illustration-of-Common-Ice-plant
    Sketch-of-Common-Ice-plant Sketch-of-Common-Ice-plant
    Small-sapling-of-Common-Ice-plant Small-sapling-of-Common-Ice-plant
    Stem-of-Common-Ice-plant Stem-of-Common-Ice-plant

    Health Benefits of Common Ice plant

    Various regions around the world use common Ice Plant, as well as its cousin Kudzu, to treat different health conditions, including colds, fevers, and even glaucoma. Research has shown that this plant consists of extremely high levels of isoflavones as well as flavonoids and isoflavonoids which are plant metabolites that have a significant effect on human metabolism. The following are just a few of the many different medicinal uses of Common ice plant

    1. Pulmonary Tuberculosis Control

    Apart from relieving constipation, the juice of the common ice plant fruit is also known to be an effective solution for pulmonary tuberculosis, which is a transmissible bacterial infection of the lungs. Traditional healers usually add olive oil and honey to the said juice to make it more effective at dealing with pulmonary tuberculosis.

    2. Improves Cardiovascular Health

    Since there are compounds in ice plant that are very good at putting an end to inflammation, the herb is also used for promoting a healthier cardiovascular system. It is said that the use of common ice plant can help in keeping high blood pressure at bay as well as lowering the levels of bad cholesterol.

    3. Relief from Minor Skin Problems

    One of the most popular traditional uses of common ice plant is for the treatment of minor skin problems. Sap of common ice plant is the one that is particularly used for such. The sap of the herb may also be added to bathwater, which is suggested for soothing large areas of the body that are irritated.

    4. UV Ray Protection

    Did you know that there are a number of sunscreens with Common ice plant extract in them as it offers protection from harmful UV rays given off by the sun? What’s more, various ointments and creams for sunburn also consists of the said extract as it’s very effective in soothing achy and damaged skin caused by too much exposure to the sun.

    5. Treatment of Constipation

    Another very common medicinal use of common ice plant is for the relief of constipation. Fruit of the herb is the one that is used as it has laxative properties, and it is turned into juice. People who are prone to constipation may consume common ice plant fruit on a regular basis to encourage the evacuation of the bowels.

    6. Relief Oral Problems

    Chewing on the tip of a common ice plant leaf is a well-known cure for oral sores. Sometimes the juice of the leaves may be directly applied onto oral sores for a speedier healing process. Gargling with the said juice is also traditionally done for achieving relief from a sore throat and other infections pertaining to the oral cavity.

    7. Skin Inflammation Control

    Traditional healers also trust on common ice plant, in particular its sap, in dealing with various inflammatory conditions of the skin. Active biological compounds present in it are capable of controlling inflammation. As a matter of fact, some of the most effective topical solutions for psoriasis and other related skin conditions have common ice plant sap in them.

    Traditional uses and benefits of Common Ice plant

    • The plant is demulcent and diuretic.
    • It is used in the treatment of inflammations of the pulmonary and genito-urinary mucous membranes.
    • Leaves are used in the treatment of ascites, dysentery and diseases of the liver and kidney.
    • It can be used externally to relieve itching, pain, swelling and redness of the skin.
    • Leaves provide a safe trail side nibble, are sometimes pickled, and are demulcent to skin and mucous membranes, make a cooling and healing poultice for treating sunburn or minor lesions.
    • Skin diseases such as neuro-dermatitis and psoriasis could be treated with Common Ice Plant sap.
    • The leaf juice is astringent and mildly antiseptic.
    • It is mixed with water and swallowed to treat diarrhea, dysentery and stomach cramps, and is used as a gargle to relieve laryngitis, sore throat and mouth infections.
    • Leaves were formerly used as a treatment for scurvy for sailors on long voyages

    Culinary Uses

    • Leaves and stems can be consumed raw or cooked.
    • They can be used as a spinach
    • The leaves have an acid flavor; they are thick and very succulent with a slightly salty tang.
    • They can also be pickled like cucumbers or used as a garnish.
    • Seed is used as a famine food used when all else fails.
    • The whole plant is consumed as a cereal.

    References:

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=503818#null

    https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Mesembryanthemum+crystallinum

    https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/115578

    http://www.floracatalana.net/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-l-

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MECR3

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesembryanthemum_crystallinum

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=24132

    https://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/WfHC/Mesembryanthemum/index.html

    https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profile/mesembryanthemum-crystallinum-profile/

    https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2889606#overview

    https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/57572/#b

    https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Mesembryanthemum_crystallinum

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2363096

    http://www.llifle.com/Encyclopedia/SUCCULENTS/Family/Aizoaceae/32528/Mesembryanthemum_crystallinum

    http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Mesembryanthemum~crystallinum

    http://www.marz-kreations.com/WildPlants/AIZO/Mesembryanthemum_crystallinum.php

    https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/MEKCR

    http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Mesembryanthemum+crystallinum

    http://www.cpbr.gov.au/cpbr/WfHC/Mesembryanthemum/index.html

    78%
    78%
    Awesome

    Comments

    comments

    C Herbs and Spices
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleAbout Miner’s lettuce
    Next Article All about Wild Sugar Apple

    Related Posts

    Uses of Monkey Pitcher plant

    April 16, 2024

    Traditional uses and benefits of Wild Marigold

    March 21, 2024

    Traditional uses and benefits of Drooping fig

    March 12, 2024

    Comments are closed.

    Common Ice plant Facts

    Common Ice plant Quick Facts
    Name: Common Ice plant
    Scientific Name: Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
    Origin Northern Africa, south-western Africa, western Asia and southern Europe
    Shapes Broad-oblong capsules coarsely papillate, about 6–11 mm long, 5–8 mm wide
    Taste Salty, crisp
    Health benefits Controls Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Improves Cardiovascular Health, Treats Constipation, Relief Oral Problems, Relief from Minor Skin Problems, Controls Skin Inflammation, UV Ray Protection
    Name Common Ice plant
    Scientific Name Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
    Native Northern Africa (i.e. northern Algeria, northern Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt), south-western Africa (i.e. Namibia and South Africa), western Asia and southern Europe (i.e. Italy, south-western Yugoslavia, south-eastern France and Spain), and naturalized in North America, South America and Australia
    Common Names Common ice plant, common iceplant, crystalline ice plant, ice plant, ice-plant, fig marigold, frost plant, diamond plant, mid-day flowers, dew plant, Diamond ficoides, Edible iceplant, Glacier lettuce, fig
    Name in Other Languages Arabic:  لوسغ   (lusgh),  Ghāsūl (غاسول),  masnie althalj almushtarak (مصنع الثلج المشترك), aqbaru, taghassul
    Catalan:  Herba cristallina, Herba de plata, Herba gelada, Herba cristal·lina
    Chinese: Shí yòng bīng yè (食用冰叶), Bīng yè rì zhōng huā (冰叶日中花)
    Croatian: Dubac vodeni                
    Danish: Isplante              
    Dutch:  Ijskruid, Ijsplantje
    English:  Common iceplant, Crystalline iceplant, Diamond ficoides, Edible iceplant, Glacier lettuce, Iceplant, Ice plant, Sea fig
    Finnish:  Jääruoho, jääpäivikki   
    French:  Ficoïde à cristaux, Ficoïde cristalline, Ficoïde comestible, Ficoïde glaciale, Herbe à la glace, Mésembryanthème à cristaux
    German:  Eisblume, Eiskraut, Eispflanze, Kristallkraut, Kristal-Mittagsblume, Kristall-Eiskraut, gemeines Eiskraut
    Greek:  Pagokrýstallos fytikó̱n (Παγοκρύσταλλος φυτικών)
    Hebrew: Ahal haggevishim,  אהל הגבישים
    Hungarian: Jeges kristályvirág
    Italian:  Erba cristallina, Erba ghiacciola, erba cristallina comune 
    Japanese:    Aisupuranto (アイスプラント), Komon aisupuranto (コモン・アイスプラント)
    Korean:  A i seu peul laen teu (아이스플랜트)
    Maltese: Kristallina tar-ramel, Kristallina kbira
    Norwegian: Ismiddagsblom
    Polish:  Kristalowa połodnička
    Portuguese:  Barrilha, Erva-de-gelo, Erva-do-orvalho, Erva-gelada, Flor-de-gelo, Folha-de-gelo, Planta-de-neve, Orvalho
    Russian:  Khrustalʹnaia trava (Хрустальная трава),  Ledianaia trava (Ледяная трава),  Mezembriantemum khrustal’nyj (Мезембриантемум хрустальный)
    Spanish:  Barrilla de Canarias, Escarchada, Escarchado, Escarchosa, Escarcha, Flor de la plata, Hierba de la plata, Hierba del rocío Hierba escarchada, Yerba de la plata, Yerba del rocío, Yerba escarcha, Yerba escarchada, Yerba plateada, Cabellera de la reina, Herba gelada
    Swedish: Isört
    Plant Growth Habit Low growing, annual or biennial, robust succulent herb or dense prostrate shrub
    Growing Climates Maritime sands, salt marshes, roadsides, cliffs, over-grazed areas, areas of coastal erosion, rubbish dumps and homestead yards. It also occurs in a range of vegetation communities, including saltmarsh, samphire flats eucalypt woodlands and shrub lands
    Soil Found on wide range of soil types, from well-drained sandy soils (including sand dunes), to loams and clays. It prefers acid, neutral or alkaline soils, but can tolerate nutritionally poor or saline soils 
    Plant Size About 1 m tall
    Stem Trailing, diffusely procumbent, dichotomously branched up to 1 meter long, internodes terete c. 6 mm in diameter. The stems can range from green to red
    Leaf Sessile or petiolate, opposite, or in the branches alternate, petiole, more or less stem clasping, blade ovate or spathulate, flat, acute or acuminate, basal leaves largest, 2-20 cm long, and 3.5 cm broad, margin undulated
    Flowering season July to September
    Inflorescence Axillary or terminal, almost sessile. Basal bracts opposite, leaflike; upper bracts alternate, reduced
    Flower Hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and pollinated by Insects. White, suffused pink 7-30 mm in diameter. Calyx lobes 5, unequal. Tube round campanulate, terete, ageing red. Perianth segments 20-40, connate into tube, ovate, retuse and acute white, aging pink.
    Fruit Shape & Size Broad-oblong capsules coarsely papillate, about 6–11 mm long, 5–8 mm wide, perianth lobes sharply reflexed at maturity
    Seed About 200, brown, rough with minute tubercles
    Propagation By seed
    Taste Salty, crisp
    Other Facts
    • The crushed foliage is a soap substitute.
    Health Benefits
    • Controls Pulmonary Tuberculosis
    • Improves Cardiovascular Health
    • Treats Constipation
    • Relief Oral Problems
    • Relief from Minor Skin Problems
    • Controls Skin Inflammation
    • UV Ray Protection
    •  

    Common Ice plant Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Mesembryanthemum crystallinum

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Super Division Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Sub Division Spermatophytina  (spermatophytes, seed plants, phanérogames)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Sub-Class Caryophyllidae
    Super Order Caryophyllanae
    Order Caryophyllales
    Family Aizoaceae (Fig-marigold family)
    Genus Mesembryanthemum L. (iceplant)
    Species Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. (common iceplant)
    Synonyms
    • Cryophytum crystallinum (L.) N.E.Br.
    • Cryophytum crystallinum (L.) N.E.Br. ex E.Phillips, 1926
    • Cryophytum nanum N.E.Br.
    • Cryophytum parvum L.Bol.
    • Gasoul crystallinum (L.) Rothm.
    • Mesembryanthemum breve L.Bol.
    • Mesembryanthemum glaciale Haw.
    • Pentacoilanthus crystallinus Rappa & Camarrone
    • Perapentacoilanthus crystallinus (L.) Rappa & Camarrone
    Categories
    • Beverages (78)
    • Dairy (28)
    • Dental Health (15)
    • Equipment (5)
    • Essential OIls (196)
    • Facts (2,874)
    • Foods (253)
    • Fruits (479)
    • Giveaway (1)
    • Grains and Cereals (32)
    • Health & Beauty (696)
    • Herbs and Spices (1,247)
    • Medicines (9)
    • Mental Health (19)
    • Nutritional value (27)
    • Nuts and seeds (69)
    • Oils (81)
    • Pets (4)
    • Poultry & Seafoods (67)
    • Pulses and Beans (16)
    • Reviews (25)
    • supplement (2)
    • Vegetables (302)
    • Weight Loss (22)

    10 skin care mistakes that could damage your skin

    The Rise of Mushroom Coffee: Just Hype or Health Gold?

    What Is a Sound Bath and Can It Heal Anxiety

    How long does alcohol stay on your breath?

    How bitter melon helps to lower blood sugar

    What Is Vagus Nerve Stimulation and How It Calms the Body?

    ABOUT
    Home
    About us
    Contact us
    Privacy Policy
    Terms & conditions
    Disclaimer
    Direct Communication
    e-mail: [email protected]
    Gmail: [email protected]
    Useful
    Health Wiki
    Nutrition
    Houston Dentist
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest
    © 2025 www.healthbenefitstimes.com All rights reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    ×

    Log In

    Forgot Password?

    Not registered yet? Create an Account