Aftimun and Koshuth

Aftimun and Koshuth are two popular plants with different indications in Persian medicine which are usually wrongly used instead of each other because of similar appearance. The word Aftimun (epithymum) is a Greek word; “epi” means “on” in Latin and “thymum” means “thymus”. Considering its meaning and its appearance which is mentioned to have a red color, the scientific name of Aftimun is Cuscusta epithymum that often grows on thyme and has black bile scavenging properties. It is applied for treatment of melancholia, mania, melancholic epilepsy, and melancholic headache.
Regarding Koshuth, it has been indicated that its stem is yellowish and its flower is small and whitish. Its seed is smaller than radish and circular and the best type is the fresh yellow with bitter taste which grows on thorns. These characteristics are matched with Cuscuta chinensis which is mostly seen on a camel’s thorn. In Persian medicine, koshuth is mentioned to be opener and remover of waste materials from vessels and tonifying agent of stomach, liver, spleen and blood vessels. It is also diuretic, emmenagogue, lactiferous and sudoriferous, laxative and uterus cleanser. Moreover, it is used for treatment of chronic fevers and splenomegaly.