The Colocynth , (Citrullus colocynthis) is a beneficial cucurbit plant that grows widely in arid regions of the world. The southern region of Asia, which mostly consists of India, Pakistan, and the southern islands, as well as the deserts of Arabia and the Sahara is home to these plants.
This plant helps balance the pitta and kapha doshas. Every component of a plant plays a part in a variety of illnesses and conditions. The chilly, bitter fruits have purgative, carminative, anthelmintic, and antipyretic properties. They are also believed to treat tumors, asthma, bronchitis, urine discharge, jaundice, constipation, joint pain, and other ailments
Description
Bitter apple (Citrullus colocynthis) is known as Indravaruni in Ayurveda. The most significant herb in Ayurveda, it effectively balances the doshas of Pitta and Kapha. Every component is helpful and demonstrates a particular activity on a range of illnesses.
Botanical Name:
Citrullus colocynthis
Family:
Cucurbitaceae
Leaves:
The leaves are borne on 1–7 cm petioles and are rigid, with 3–7 lobes, 5–10 cm long and 2.5–6.5 cm broad.
Flowers:
Yellow-greenish peduncles support solitary yellow blooms that are borne in the leaf axes. Each features a five-lobed, subcampanulated flower and a five-parted calyx. Because they are monoecious, the female reproductive organs (ovary and pistils) and the male reproductive organs (stamens) are carried in separate flowers on the same plant.
Stems:
The colocynth is a perennial herbaceous vine that reaches a maximum length of 3 meters (10 feet). The stems have a hairy texture and are pointy and harsh.
Fruit:
The colocynth’s fruit it is a globular drupe with a diameter of 4–10 cm that resembles a little gourd or watermelon. When the fruit is not ripe, it has a green and yellow variegation that turns yellow. The fruit of the colocynth plant contains cucurbitacins, which make it extremely bitter and inedible.
Roots:
Because of its tuberous root system, the colocynth can retain water and endure in dry climates.
Habitat:
In sandy desert regions,Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad is a perennial creeping herbaceous vine. It is indigenous to the Mediterranean region, West Asia, and the coast of North Africa. It belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae.
Parts Used:
- Root
- Fruits
- Leafa
Dosage:
- Fruit powder – 125 – 500 mg
- Root powder – 1 – 2 gm
Chemical Constituents
Alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids—chemicals found in the ethanolic extract of C. colocynthis—may have potent antibacterial properties. Crude extracts of C contained terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, flavones, and saponins.
Synonyms in the Sanskrit language
- Chitra – Fruit has lines on it.
- Gavakshi – Its fruit resembles the spherical eye of a cow.
Medicinal uses as per Ayurveda
Granthi – relieves boils and nodules
Prameha – diabetes, urinary tract disorders
Pleeha – relieves splenomegaly
Kamala – helps to treat jaundice
Moodagarbha – works in the malformed fetus
Udara – treats ascites
Gulma – treats abdominal tumors
Vrana – treats wounds
Shwasa – treats Asthma, wheezing, COPD
Kasa – relieves cough and cold
Kushta – shows good results in skin diseases
Other Language Names of Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis)
Bengali name – Makhal, Rakhale Shasa
Gujarati name – Indrayan
Marathi name – Kadu -indravani
Sanskrit name – Indravaruni
Hindi name – Indrayan
English name – Colocynth, Bitter apple, desert gourd, vine of Sodom.
Punjabi name – Ghurunba, kaudatumma
Arabic name – Hanthal, hanzal
Telugu name – Kuturu budama, Cinna Papara, Paparabudam.
Tamil name – Paedikari Attutummatti
Malyalam name – Paikummatti
Spanish name – Manzana amarga
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Family | Cucurbitaceae |
| Genus | Citrullus |
| Species | Citrullus colocynthis |
Ayurvedic Properties
Hindi/Sanskrit
- Rasa -Tikta
- Guna -Laghu,Rooksha,Teekshna
- Virya -Ushna
- Vipaka -Katu
English
- Taste – Bitter
- Physical Property-Light, Dry,Sharp
- Potency- Hot
- Metabolic Property (After Digestion)-Pungent
Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) Uses
- Fruit extract helps people with painful diabetic neuropathy feel less pain and have better nerve function and quality of life.
- Fruit pulp extract is used to treat infections of the urinary tract.
- Its pulp is applied topically to heal acne, pimples, and boils.
- It heals wounds, psoriasis, and skin diseases such as abscesses.
- Utilizing fruit pulp extract, urinary tract infections are treated.
Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) Benefits
Constipation:
The fruit extract of bitter apples has a laxative quality that strengthens the muscles of the intestines and facilitates bowel movements. Additionally, it raises the amount of fluid in the gut, which softens and facilitates the stool’s simple expulsion from the body.
Diabetes mellitus:
Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) roots are quite effective at lowering blood sugar levels. The chemical components in this herb promote insulin metabolism and have beneficial effects on diabetes mellitus. It inhibits the function of stomach enzymes that break down carbs and encourages the pancreas to naturally create and release more insulin.
Cough and cold:
Bitter apple acts as a decongestant to clear the congested nose during a cold or cough. Additionally, this has expectorant properties that help you cough up and remove mucus from your mouth by releasing it from your lungs. As an anti-inflammatory, it also reduces upper respiratory tract inflammation and guards against infections of the respiratory organs.
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Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis) Side Effects
Kidney Damage:
In severe circumstances, colocynth can damage the kidneys and cause renal failure.
Electrolyte Imbalance:
Severe colocynth diarrhea might upset your body’s vital mineral balance by causing an electrolyte imbalance.
During pregnancy:
Small children, expectant moms, and nursing mothers should not use it. It is best to avoid this plant if you have sensitive stomach because it can cause severe purgation. It must be taken at the recommended time and at the recommended dosage.
Conclusion
Colocynth, also known as bitter apple colocynth, exhibits efficacious effects in treating a variety of ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis, jaundice, bronchitis, constipation, and belly enlargement. Every component has a purpose and acts differently on different bodily systems. However, in cases of stomach sensitivity, it should be avoided since an overdose may result in purgation. Furthermore, it is not advised during nursing or pregnancy. Use this herb according to the recommended dosage and timing only after consulting a physician.
FAQS
What is the purpose of Citrullus Colocynth?
In conventional medicine, citrullus colocynthis has a variety of pharmacologic qualities, including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, abortifacient, analgesic, and antiepileptic effects. Because. colocynthis is effective in treating a variety of ailments, it is widely utilized in Indian herbal therapy.
What is the Colocynth botanical name?
Citrullus colocynthis
What adverse effects does colocynth cause?
Colocynth can result in kidney damage, bloody urine, bleeding diarrhea, severe irritation of the stomach and intestinal walls, and the inability to urinate. Death, paralysis, and convulsions are among more adverse outcomes.
In what ways does bitter apple help with constipation?
The fruit extract from bitter apples contains a laxative effect. This fruit facilitates easier defecation by strengthening the intestinal muscles.