Background

• Colocynth is a perennial, trailing plant of the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae)
• The plant is commonly found in patches in sandy places in the extensive blazing deserts of all the Arab countries 
• The plant is widespread in the U.A.E, except in the western and southern part of the country.  
• Colocynth have wonderful adaptation ability to grow upon the hot sandy soil of summer months where scarcely any plant can survive

Part(s) Used

  Seed, seed oil

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

Colocynth is a very powerful purgative or hydragogue cathartic, emetic and gastrointestinal irritant. It has been used as/for:

How Much Do We Know?

• Historically, Colocynth was used in folk-medicine by the Greeks, Romans, and Arabs
• Colocynth was used orally and topically for a variety of ailments
• There are many documented toxicity cases to humans and animals associated with the intake of colocynth
• The FDA had banned colocynth in 1991 due to its high toxicity

What Do We Know About Safety?

All parts and extracts of colocynth are recognized as unsafe and may produce serious effects up to death if ingested orally even in small quantities.

Using Colocynth by

Mouth

Up to 1 gm of the dry powder daily in divided doses

Topical

Seed oil or the plant oil extract applied to the skin with massage

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy

Unsafe; Don’t use

Breast-feeding

Unsafe; Don’t use

Children

Unsafe; Don’t use

Keep in Mind

• Do not hesitate to speak with your health care provider before starting to use any supplements.
• Discuss potential benefits and risks, especially if you are suffering from any health problems.