CITRULLUS COLOYNTHUS

Plant Name: CITRULLUS COLOYNTHUS

English Name: Bitter Apple Colocynth, bitter gourd

Local Name: Bitter Cucumber,

Family: Cucurbitaceae


Uses:
The use of this herb has reduced considerably in more modern times because it is a very drastic purgative and has very little other application other than homeopathy. A rather small dose of this herb can and will cause dramatic and painful cramps of the intestine, often accompanied with internal haemorrhage. Any significant dose will often cause death.


“To cause a woman to stop [terminate] pregnancy in the first, second or third period [trimester]: unripe fruit of acacia; colocynth; dates; triturate with 6/7th pint of honey. Moisten a pessary of plant fiber [with the mixture] and place in the vagina.”

— Ebers papyrus, c. 1550 BCE; translation from Eve's Herbs, by John M. Riddle