Raffi at 07:03, 27 March 2007

2007-03-27T07:03:27Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Colocynth
| image = Koeh-040.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = ''Citrullus colocynthis'' from Koehler's ''Medicinal-Plants'' (1887)
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Cucurbitales]]
| familia = [[Cucurbitaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Citrullus]]''
| species = '''''C. colocynthis'''''
| binomial = ''Citrullus colocynthis''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L]].) Schrad.
}}

The '''colocynth''', also known as '''bitter apple''', '''bitter cucumber''', '''egusi''', or '''vine of Sodom''', is a [[vine|viny]] plant native to the [[Mediterranean Basin]] and [[Asia]], especially [[Turkey]] (especially in regions such as [[İzmir]]), [[Nubia]], and [[Trieste]]. It originally bore the scientific name ''Colocynthis citrullus'', but is now classified as ''Citrullus colocynthis''.

Its [[fruit]], which is [[lemon]]-sized, yellowish, green-mottled, spongy, and extremely bitter, is a powerful [[liver|hepatic]] stimulant and [[hydragogue]] [[cathartic]]. It is used as a strong [[laxative]]. In overdoses, the fruit can cause violent, sharp pains in the bowels, with dangerous inflammation. Given that the colocynth grows wild in Israel, these symptoms would be consistent with the "wild gourd" mentioned in II Kings 4:39-40. It is seldom used alone, but in combination with other cathartics has been a standard remedy. It has been used alone in obstinate [[edema]], [[amenorrhea]], and in cerebral derangements. A normal dose of fluid extracted from the fruit pulp is 2 to 5 [[Minim (unit)|minims]], and for the powdered extract, 1 to 2 [[Grain (measure)|grains]].<ref name="Davis">Davis & Company Parke. ''[http://books.google.com/books?vid=0v8WXvgMqT9vJWctY-wB&id=VwdlfEwRuTEC Manual of therapeutics]''. Parke, Davis & Co. 1909. pp. 262-266.</ref>

Its seed, which is edible but similarly bitter, nutty-flavored, and rich in [[fat]] and [[protein]], is eaten whole or used as an [[oilseed]]. The oil content of the seeds is 17-19% (w/w), consisting of 67-73% [[linoleic acid]], 10-16% [[oleic acid]], 5-8% [[stearic acid]], and 9-12% [[palmitic acid]]. It is estimated that the oil yield is approximately 400 L/hectare.<ref>[http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1006/jare.1998.0454 "Evaluation of Citrullus colocynthis, a desert plant native in Israel, as a potential source of edible oil"]</ref>

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 (dated 3650-2850 BC), and [[Hierakonopolis]] (3500-3300 BC) in Egypt; at sites dating from 3800 BC to Roman times in Lybia; and the pre-pottery Neolithic levels of the Nahal Hemar Caves in Israel.<ref>Daniel Zohary and Maria Hopf, ''Domestication of Plants in the Old World'', third edition (Oxford: University Press, 2000), p. 194.</ref> Zohary and Hopf speculate that "these finds indicate that the wild colocynth was very probably used by humans prior to its domestication.<ref>Zohary and Hopf, ''ibid.''</ref>

Desert [[Bedouins]] are said to make a type of bread from the ground seeds. There is some confusion between this species and the closely-related [[watermelon]], whose seeds may be used in much the same way. In particular the name "[[egusi]]" may refer to either or both plants (or more generically to other [[Cucurbitaceae|cucurbit]]s) in their capacity as seed crops, or to a soup made from these seeds and popular in [[West Africa]].

==Pre-modern medical uses==
In pre-modern [[medicine]] it was an ingredient in the [[electuary]] called ''[[confectio hamech]]'', or diacatholicon, and most other laxative pills; and in such cases as required purging, it was very successful. It is one of the most violent purgative drugs known; insomuch that it excoriates the passages to such a degree as to sometimes draw blood, and induce a so-called "superpurgation". Sometimes, it was taken boiled in water, or beer, in obstruction of the [[menses]], which was considered successful in strong constitutions. S
ome women used it in the same manner, in the beginning of pregnancy, to cause an [[abortion]], which often occurred due to the violence of its operation.<ref name="cyclo">{{1728}}</ref> Its usage for this purpose is documented in ancient times; for example, the following recipe was found in the [[Ebers papyrus|Ebers medical papyrus]] in Egypt, dated to about [[1550 BCE]]:<ref name="Riddle">Riddle, John M. ''Eve's Herbs: A History of Contraception and Abortion in the West''. Harvard University Press. 1999. ISBN 0-674-27026-6.</ref>

{{"
|text=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.
|sign=— [[Ebers papyrus]], c. 1550 BCE; translation from ''Eve's Herbs'', by John M. Riddle<ref name="Riddle"/>
}}

The powder of colocynth was sometimes used externally, with [[aloe]]s, etc, in [[unguent]]s, [[plaster]]s, etc, with remarkable success against [[parasitic worm]]s; and some, for the same purpose, recommended that the pulp be used as an [[enema]]. In [[Ileus|iliac passion]], enemas of colocynth were used effectively where most other pre-modern medicines had failed.<ref name="cyclo"/>

Troches, or lozenges, made of colocynth were called "troches of [[alhandal]]". They were prepared by cutting the colocynth to a small size, and reducing it to a fine powder in a mortar, rubbed with oil of sweet [[almonds]]; adding [[gum tragacanth]], and [[mastic]] afterwards.<ref name="cyclo"/>

Remedies for counteracting colocynth have included [[emetic]]s such as [[zinc sulfate]] and [[apomorphine]], if caught early; later, [[demulcent]]s and [[opiate]]s, with stimulants to combat collapse.<ref name="Davis"/>

==References==
<references/>

== External links ==

*[http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/Citrullus_colocynthis_nex.html Information on oilseed uses]
*[http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1006/jare.1998.0454 "Evaluation of Citrullus colocynthis, a desert plant native in Israel, as a potential source of edible oil" ]

[[Category:Cucurbitaceae]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]

Colocynth - Revision history

Raffi at 07:03, 27 March 2007