Synonyms: Cucumis colocynthis L.
English Name: Colocynth
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Persian Name: Hendevaneh Aboujahl- Hanzal/ هندوانه ابوجهل- حنظل
German Name: Coloquinte- Coloquinte Officinale
French Name: Bitter Melone- Koloquinte
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About Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.
Colocynth is the fruit of a perennial plant that spreads on the ground in the form of a low and creeping bush. The stems of this plant are relatively thick and fluffy and can wrap around objects. The cross section of the stems of this plant is usually polygonal and sometimes circular.
The leaves of this plant have cuts and curves that divide the leaves into smaller parts. The overall shape of the leaves is almost triangular and elongated. These leaves are hairy and grow alternately. The flowers are yellow, small, and slightly fluffy, and each flower has five oval petals.
The fruit of this plant is spherical in shape and the size of an orange. The thin and smooth skin of this fruit is dark green at first, and pale spots and stripes can be seen on it. But after fully ripening, it turns yellow or orange. The appearance of Colocynth is similar to watermelon. But it is much smaller. The flesh of the fruit is greenish-white at first and has a very bitter taste. But after it is fully ripe, it dries up. Inside the fruit there are many brown, shiny, point-shaped and pointed seeds that are almost similar to apple seeds.
Chemical Constituents
The fruit contains a number of bitter principles generally known as cucurbitacins consisting of a-elaterin (cucurbitacin E), elatericin B (cucurbitacin I), dihydroelatericin B (cucurbitacin L), citrullin, citrullene, citrullic acid and citrullol.
Also present are sugars (glucose), pectin, hydrocarbons such as hentriacontane, a volatile oil consisting of citronellal, methyl eugenol and methyl heptenone, choline, alkaloids, lanosterol and bsitosterol. Seeds yield a bitter oil consisting of linoleic (60%), oleic (20%) and palmitic (10%) acids and a triterpene, citrullonol.
Temperament: Fourth degree of hot and second degree of dry
Health Benefits
Harms: Colocynth is semi-toxic and you should be careful in using it, its use must be done under the supervision of a doctor or an experienced specialist. Hot-temperament people should avoid eating it, especially in the hot season, because it is harmful to them and causes stomach cramps and does not work, and causes discomfort such as confusion, headache, dizziness and stomach and anal discomfort. Citrullus colocynthis fruit should not be eaten alone, but should be consumed with Gum Arabic or Tragacanth or Pound Starch.
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