Colocynth
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Bitter Apple, Coloc, Citrullus Colocynthis, Cucumis Colocynthis, Bitter Cucumber, Colocynth, Alhandal, Colocynth Pulp, Colocynthidis Fructus, Colocynthis vulgaris, Coloquinte, Coloquíntida, Concombre Amer, Cucumis colocynthis, Koloquinthen, Pulpe de Coloquinte, Tumba, Vine-of-Sodom, Wild Gourd, Indravaruni, Indravaruni, Indrayan, desert gourd, Makhal, Rakhale Shasa, Indrayan, indravani, Paparabudam, Kuturu budama, Cinna Papara, Paedikari Attutummatti, Paikummatti, Ghurunba, kaudatumma, Hanthal, hanzal, Manzana amarga
belongs to the family of gourds and a relative of watermelon. The Roots and Fruits are used
See also : Citrullus colocynthis (Homeopathy)
Special Precautions of Colocynth
- Ingestion may cause irritation of the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract, bloody diarrhea, or kidney damage. The ill effects are caused by cytotoxic and antimitotic cucurbitacins.
- Pregnancy : Unsafe ! The active substances pass into urine and breast milk and can lead to abortions in pregnant women.
- Other symptoms of poisoning include ulcers, wall perforation, peritonitis, kidney bleeding and bladder inflammation. Often brain hyperemia, delirium and collapse occur.
- Death may occur as a result of respiratory arrest. Cross-fertilization of colocynth with watermelon or zucchini sometimes leads to cases of poisoning.
- In case of poisoning, a dilute tannic acid solution should be taken, followed by large quantities of drinks that contain eggs (albuminous drinks).
- Cases of poisoning have also been observed in animals that consumed the fruits. The intake of just 3 g of colocynth and be fatal.
- Exposure of the skin to the active substances may cause blistering.
Health Benefits and Uses of Colocynth
The Ayurvedic name of bitter apple is Indravaruni. This plant tends to control kapha and pitta doshas. All parts of plants have some role in varieties of disorders and ailments.
- The fruits are bitter and cool so act as purgative, carminative, anthelmintic, antipyretic and tend to cure asthma, bronchitis, tumors, urinary discharge, jaundice, constipation, joint pain and more.
- The Root, the part of the plant used to combat urinary diseases jaundice, inflammation of the breast, abdominal enlargements ascites, rheumatism and cough and also in asthmatic attacks of children.
- Fruit or root with or without nux-vomica, a kind of herb used to sure pimples effectively.
- The plant pulp contains biochemical components like stable oils, colocynthin, resins, pectins, lignin, minerals and gums. The active ingredients are of biochemical compounds are elaterin, albuminoids, phytosterol and glycoside. Bitter taste producing substances of the plant colocynthin and colocynthenin.
- Seeds contain phytosterolin. This acts as anti-tumor and anti-cancer because of anti-tumor biochemical like cucurbitacin B and cucurbitacin E.
- Hypoglycemic : Extract of its roots show great effect in reduction of blood sugar level. Several active components present in this herb influence the insulin metabolism and this way show great positive activity in Type II diabetes.
- Constipation : Fruit extracts of this herb possesses strong laxative properties as it strengthens the intestinal muscles and brings about defecation naturally therefore it is very helpful to cure constipation.
- Anticandidal and antibacterial : Root extracts of this plant extracts, helpful in management of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and more. All extracts mean extracts of leaves, fruits and seeds showed activity against all strains.
- Antioxidant : This plant acts as very effective antioxidant. This plant has ability to scavenge free-radicals like hydroxyl radical, superoxide anions and singlet oxygen.
- Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic : The immature fruits and seeds extracts show very important anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.
- hypolipidemic : The seeds of Citrullus colocynthis can lower the triglyceride and cholesterol levels in non- diabetic hyperlipidemic patients.
- Larvicidal :This plant shows toxicity against the early fourth instar larvae of Culex mosquito and Aedes mosquito.
- Breast Cancer : It shows great effect on growth inhibitory activity on breast cancer cells.
- Pimples : External use of root and fruit extracts juice help to cure pimples, acne and boils.
- cold and Cough : It is very helpful to cure cold and cough.
