Our Signature Ingredient

TheSidr
Tree

سدر

An ancient Arabian botanical, documented across centuries and validated by modern science.

سدر

At a Glance
Scientific Name
Ziziphus Spina-Christi
Also Known As
Sidr · سدر · Christ's Thorn Jujube
Origin
Arabian Peninsula & North Africa
Key Properties
Antibacterial · Anti-inflammatory · Antioxidant · Sebum-regulating

Ancient knowledge
Modern proof

Long before clinical trials, the Sidr tree was already doing extraordinary things for skin and hair. For centuries across the Arab world, the leaves of Ziziphus Spina-Christi were used in cleansing rituals, wound healing, and beauty treatments — knowledge passed down through generations and documented in Islamic tradition.

The Sidr tree is mentioned multiple times in the Quran, and its leaves have been woven into sacred rituals, medicinal practice, and daily life across the Arab world for over a thousand years. Modern phytochemical analysis has since confirmed what ancient practitioners observed — that Sidr leaves contain an exceptionally potent combination of active compounds, with properties that hold up under scientific scrutiny.

For MARIAM EM, that history is the foundation everything else is built on. Every batch of Sidr extract used in our formulas is controlled for purity and concentration, and every formula it goes into is validated through clinical trials or structured volunteer testing before it reaches you. The heritage informs the work and the science substantiates it.

What the science shows

Six documented benefits
of Sidr

01
Cleansing & Purifying

A Natural, Effective Cleanser

Traditionally used as a cleansing wash and for disinfecting damaged skin, Sidr's inherently antibacterial properties allow it to gently combat harmful bacteria and surface impurities without compromising the skin barrier. This makes it uniquely suited to daily use — effective without being aggressive.

Published clinical evidence
02
Calming & Soothing

Anti-Inflammatory Action

Sidr has been documented for its calming effect on sensitised and reactive skin, with studied applications in atopic dermatitis, eczema, and pruritus. Its anti-inflammatory mechanisms are well-studied, with applications across both medicinal and cosmetic use.

Published case report
03
Acne & Breakouts

Clinically Proven Blemish Control

Sidr's antibacterial, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties make it particularly effective against mild to moderate acne. In a double-blind randomised trial, patients treated with a topical Sidr solution alongside standard care showed significant reduction in acne lesions compared to the control group.

Double-blind clinical trial
04
Nourishment & Glow

High-Performance Botanicals

Sidr leaves contain a dense concentration of bioactive compounds — peptides, flavonoids, tannins, betulinic acid, and triterpenoid saponins — that support healthy skin tissue at a cellular level.

Peer-reviewed research
05
Anti-Ageing & Protection

Bioactive Environmental Shield

Modern research has confirmed Sidr as a bioactive ingredient that actively helps protect the skin against environmental aggressors including UV exposure and oxidative stress.

Peer-reviewed research
06
Hair & Scalp

Traditional Hair Botanicals, Proven

Sidr's documented use in hair care stretches back centuries. Betulinic acid found in Sidr leaves has documented anti-inflammatory properties, while its flavonoids and saponins promote hair growth and provide gentle, effective cleansing.

Ethnobotanical documentation
Launching Soon — Sidr Haircare

The same ancient botanical
Now for your hair

The Sidr tree's benefits extend beyond skin — its hair and scalp properties are documented across traditional use and modern research, yet remain largely absent from contemporary haircare.

The MARIAM EM haircare collection was created to fill that gap.

Scalp-Soothing Properties

Anti-inflammatory compounds calm scalp irritation and sensitivity — addressing one of the most common root causes of hair concerns.

Natural Growth Support

Sidr's flavonoids and tannins have a long history of traditional use in hair care — with documented applications in scalp nourishment, dandruff and hair loss.

Gentle Natural Cleansing

Saponin glycosides act as natural surfactants — cleansing effectively without stripping the scalp's natural moisture balance.

Strand Strength & Nourishment

A rich profile of antioxidants in Sidr helps protect hair from environmental damage, supporting stronger, more resilient strands.

The Research

Backed by published science

Sidr's benefits are well-documented by research. The following peer-reviewed studies and published articles are the science behind the plant.

1
Effect of Cedar (Ziziphus spina-christi) topical solution in mild to moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized clinical study
PubMed / NCBI — pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31760846
2
Effect of Topical Cidir Leaves Extract in Reducing Skin Sensitivity in Atopic Patients
Kufa Medical Journal — journal.uokufa.edu.iq
3
The Use of Ziziphus spina-christi Extract in Treating Erlotinib Associated Rash: A Case Report
Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers — karger.com
4
Ethnopharmacology, Biological Evaluation, and Chemical Composition of Ziziphus spina-christi: A Review
National Institutes of Health / PMC — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9168210
5
Traditional use of ethnomedicinal native plants in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 2019 — Aati, El-Gamal, Shaheen & Kayser
6
Formulation, evaluation and comparison of herbal shampoo with commercial shampoos
Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences — Al Badi & Khan
7
In Vitro Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Phytochemicals from the Roots of Ziziphus spina-christi
PMC / Biochemistry Research International — Gebrehiwot et al., 2024
8
Medicinal Plants for Acne Vulgaris: An Evidence-Based Review of Treatments Promoted by Social Media
PMC / Journal of CosmeticDermatology — 2026
Experience Sidr

The ingredient
speaks for itself.

Explore the MARIAM EM collection — every formula built around this extraordinary botanical.