Citrullus colocynthis Schrad.

Family:

Cucurbitaceae.

Habitat:

Throughout India.

English:

Colocynth Bitter Apple.

Ayurvedic:

Indravaaruni, Indravalli, Indravaarunikaa, Gavaakshi, Chitraa, Chitraphalaa, Indraasuri, Mrigaani, Mrigairvaaru, Vishaalaa, Vishaalyka, Indraayana. Aindri (also equated with Bacopa monnieri).

Unani:

Hanzal.

Siddha/Tamil:

Kumatti.

Action:

Dried pulp of ripe fruit—cathartic, drastic purgative, irritant and toxic. The pulp is used for varicose veins and piles. A paste of root is applied to various inflammations and swellings. The cataplasm of leaves is applied in migraine and neuralgia.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the fruit in jaundice; the root in diseases of the liver and spleen and the leaf in cutaneous affections and alopecia.

Colocynth contains up to 3% cucurbitacin. The drug and its preparations cause drastic irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa and haemorrhages.

Cucurbitacins include cucurbitacin E-, J-, L-glucosides. In addition, the pulp contains...