"It is recounted that Solomon - peace be upon him - was given by God a different tree every day in his Sanctuary, and when he saw it he would ask: "What is your name? What are your useful qualities? How do you harm?""
Its Story
From the family of the maple tree, and amongst the trees that shed their leaves in summer and not winter, known by the people of Fes as 'btaslaqu' it is the tree of Solomon, upon whom the best of prayers and most beautiful of peace.
It is recounted that Solomon - peace be upon him - was given by God a different tree every day in his Sanctuary, and when he saw it he would ask: "What is your name? What are your useful qualities? How do you harm?" and the tree would speak by the power of God the highest, and Solomon would write what he heard from it. So when God sent to him the Carob tree, he asked, and it said: "I am Carob (meaning destruction)." Solomon, peace be upon him, said: "The carob tree is the destroyer, and he concluded that this marked the end of his kingly reign, and soon enough, his reign ended. The tree is therefore known as the tree of Solomon.
It is used both fresh and dry. If using fresh, then it is best as a pulp, or if dried, extract and use its seeds.
Its Nature
Cold and dry in the first degree
Uses and Characteristics
The fruit has a laxative effect and helps to improve digestion, particularly when fresh. When still unripe, rub the fruit upon warts and callouses to completely remove them.
Alternative
Hawthorn fruit
From Hadiqat al-Azhar (The Garden of Blossoms) by al-Wazeer al-Ghassani, a 16th Century pharmacopoeia. Translated by Miriam Hicklin.