Medicinal use of bitter apple

Colocynth or Bitter apple is an annual or perennial creeper growing wild in the warm, arid and sandy tracts of North West, Central and Southern parts of the India. Colocynth is, in moderate doses is drastic, hydrogogue, cathartic and diuretic. In a small doses, it is expectorant and alterative. Colocynthin is a cathartic and intensely bitter principle. It has a purgative action. All parts of the plant are very bitter. The fruit has been described as cathartic.

General Information

• Latin name: Citrullus colocynthis (Linn. ) Schrader. syn. Cucumis colocynthis Linn
• Family: Cucurbitaceae
• Ayurvedic: Indravaaruni, Indravalli, Indravaarunikaa, Gavaakshi, Chitraa, Chitraphalaa, Indraasuri, Mrigaani, Mrigairvaaru,
• Vishaalaa, Vishaalyka, Indraayana,  Aindri

Medicinal uses of bitter apple

• Boils, pimples

  Externally apply fruit pulp at affected area.

• Pimples, Acne

  Wash to clean roots of the herb. Then extract its juice by crushing and adding water. Apply externally at affected areas.

• Constipation

  Take its fruit juice (150 ml), add (1/4 teaspoon each) of hing, ajwain, elaichi, rock salt. Mix this juice (1/4 tsp) in lukewarm water and drink.

• Piles, rheumatism

  Prepare pills by grinding Piper longum and Roots of citrullus colocynthis in eqaul quantities. Dry in sun. Take one pill with water.

• Breast inflammation, joint pain

  Apply paste of root on the affected area.

• Cough, intestinal worm

  Wash and dry roots of the herb. Grind to make powder. Add thus prepared churna (one pinch) in hot water and drink.

The Dosage of bitter apple

The safe dosage of this herb, dried fruit 125-500 mg powder, root: 1-3 gm powder

Side effects of bitter apple

In large doses it can cause stomach problems, It is emetic and gastro-intestinal irritant.