'Sheba' tree, grown from a 1,000-year-old seed, shows promising anti-cancer qualities: Study

A remarkable scientific achievement has emerged from a study involving an ancient seed that is nearly 1,000 years old. This seed, which has been named "Sheba" after a biblical queen, has successfully sprouted into a tree that now stands approximately 10 feet tall following 14 years of careful cultivation. The seed was unearthed during an archaeological excavation in the Judean Desert in the late 1980s and is believed to date back to a period between 993 and 1202 CE.Researchers speculate that this seed may have belonged to a tree species mentioned in biblical texts, specifically one that is now extinct but once flourished in regions corresponding to modern-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.

The leaves of the "Sheba" tree have shown promising medicinal qualities. Chemical analysis reveals that they contain compounds that may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Researchers identified a series of glycolipid compounds in "Sheba's" resin that, to their knowledge, have not been reported elsewhere. These compounds will be tested for biological activity in future studies. Other related compounds, known as “guggultetrols,” found in the resin of Commiphora wightii have already shown potential anti-cancer activity. This discovery could provide valuable insights into ancient healing practices.

Scientists believe that the tree may produce "tsori," a resin mentioned in the Bible that is said to have healing properties. This tree is also linked to the Commiphora species, known for producing fragrant resins thought to be used in the Biblical perfume called "Balm of Gilead." Although initial theories suggested that "Sheba" could be a source of the historical "Judean Balsam," researchers have since ruled this out, noting that the tree does not have aromatic qualities.