Citrullus colocynthis is a commonly used medicinal plant, especially as a hypoglycemic agent. Case Presentation. Four patients with colocynth intoxication are presented. The main clinical feature was acute rectorrhagia preceded by mucosal diarrhea with tenesmus, which gradually progressed to bloody diarrhea and overt rectorrhagia within 3 to 4 hours. The only colonoscopic observation was mucosal erosion which was completely resolved in follow-up colonoscopy after 14 days. Conclusion. The membranolytic activity of some C. colocynthis ingredients is responsible for the intestinal damage. Patients and herbalists should be acquainted with the proper use and side effects of the herb. Clinicians should also be aware of C. colocynthis as a probable cause of lower GI bleeding in patients with no other suggestive history, especially diabetics.
Uses/ Indications of Citrullus Colocynthis
- Constipation
- Liver problems
- Gallbladder problems
- Abdominal cramps improved by bending over
- Ciliary neuralgia
- Colic
- Diabetes
- Diarrhea
- Dysentery
- Dysmenorrhea
- Glaucoma
- A headache
- Hoarseness
- Menstrual colic
- Neuralgia
- Paraphimosis
- Peritonitis
- Rheumatism
- Sciatica
- A toothache
- Tumour
C. colocynthis can be eaten or elaborated for further uses in medicine and as an energy source, e.g. oilseed and biofuel. The characteristic small seed of the colocynth have been found in several early archeological sites in northern Africa and the Near East, specifically at Neolithic Armant, Nagada in Egypt; at sites dating from 3800 BC to Roman times in Libya; and the pre-pottery Neolithic levels of the Nahal Hemar caves in Israel. Zohary and Hopf speculate, “these finds indicate that the wild colocynth was very probably used by humans prior to its domestication.
Traditional medicine and research
Colocynth has been widely used in traditional medicine for centuries.[13] In pre-modern medicine, it was an ingredient in the electuary called confectio hamech, or diacatholicon, and other laxative pills.
In Arabia the colocynth had numerous uses in traditional medicine, such as a laxative, diuretic, or for insect bites.[15] The powder of colocynth was sometimes used externally with aloes, unguents, or bandages.[14] Troches made of colocynth were called “troches of Nathanial” used as an emetic.
In traditional veterinary medicine, colocynth sap was used to treat skin eruptions in camels
The Dosage of Citrullus Colocynthis
- Adult and children 2 years of age and older: Dissolve 5 pellets under the tongue 3 times a day until relieved or as directed by a doctor.
References
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