Colocynthis

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Colocynthis

Colocynthis, also known as bitter apple, bitter cucumber, desert gourd, egusi, or vine of Sodom is a plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae. The plant is native to the Mediterranean Basin and Asia, especially Turkey (especially in regions such as Izmir), Nubia, and Trieste.

Pronunciation

Colocynthis is pronounced as /kəˈlɒsɪnθɪs/.

Etymology

The term "Colocynthis" comes from the Greek "kolokynthi" which means "wild gourd".

Description

Colocynthis is a perennial plant that grows in sandy, arid soils. It produces a fruit that is similar in appearance to a small watermelon. The fruit is extremely bitter and is not edible. It is used in traditional medicine for its purgative properties.

Medical Uses

In traditional medicine, colocynthis has been used as a treatment for a variety of ailments. The fruit's pulp has been used as a purgative, and to treat rheumatism and arthritis. It has also been used as a homeopathic remedy for conditions such as sciatica and constipation. However, due to its high toxicity, it should be used with caution and under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Related Terms

  • Cucurbitaceae: The plant family to which colocynthis belongs.
  • Purgative: A substance that stimulates evacuation of the bowels.
  • Rheumatism: A term for conditions causing chronic, often intermittent pain affecting the joints or connective tissue.
  • Arthritis: Inflammation of one or more joints, causing pain and stiffness that can worsen with age.
  • Sciatica: Pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs down one or both legs from the lower back.
  • Constipation: A common condition that affects people of all ages. It can mean that you're not passing stools regularly or you're unable to completely empty your bowel.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski