🏜️North African & Amazigh Medicine

Quince (Sfarjal)

Cydonia oblonga

About Quince (Sfarjal)

Quince (Sfarjal) (Cydonia oblonga) is a herb used in the North African & Amazigh Medicine tradition to help with Digestive Issues, Diarrhea, Nausea, and Respiratory Issues. The aerial parts and leaves are the parts traditionally used, taken internally.

Botanical background

The quince (/ˈkwɪns/; Cydonia oblonga) is the sole member of the genus Cydonia in the family Rosaceae (which also contains apples and pears, among other fruits). It is a small deciduous tree that bears a pome fruit, similar in appearance to a pear, and bright golden-yellow when mature. Throughout history the cooked fruit has been used as food, but the tree is also grown for its attractive pale pink blossoms and other ornamental qualities.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Aerial Parts · internalLeaves · internal
🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Quince (Sfarjal) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Quince (Sfarjal) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Quince (Sfarjal) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
♨️

Steam Inhalation

1–2× daily during acute symptoms
  • Add 2–3 tbsp of Quince (Sfarjal) to a bowl of just-boiled water.
  • Drape a towel over your head and inhale steam for 5–10 minutes.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
  • Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established

Warnings

⚠️ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established for most herbal remedies. Consult your midwife or doctor before use.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Quince (Sfarjal) in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt

Climate

Mediterranean and desert

Habitat

Atlas Mountain slopes, coastal scrubland, and oasis gardens of North Africa

🌿 To see Quince (Sfarjal) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices
  • Farmers markets with herb vendors

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Quince (Sfarjal), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.