Evidence supporting the use of: Colocynth
For the health condition: Colitis
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), also known as bitter apple, has a longstanding history in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and folk remedies for a variety of gastrointestinal complaints, including colitis. Traditional practitioners believed colocynth to possess strong purgative and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a remedy for constipation, abdominal pain, and inflammatory bowel conditions. Historical texts describe its use as a drastic purgative and as an ingredient in poultices applied to the abdomen for colitis symptoms.
However, modern scientific validation for its use in colitis is limited. While some preclinical studies have explored colocynth extracts for anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects, there is a lack of well-designed clinical trials in humans specifically evaluating its efficacy or safety for colitis. Furthermore, colocynth is known to be highly toxic at certain doses, causing severe gastrointestinal irritation and even organ damage, which has led to caution or prohibition in some pharmacopeias. Therefore, while the use of colocynth for colitis is grounded in traditional practices, current scientific evidence is insufficient, and safety concerns are significant.
Other ingredients used for Colitis
Akkermansia muciniphilaalgal oil
Aloe vera
anthocyanins
apple
astaxanthin
bacillus clausii
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
barberry
beta caryophyllene
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blueberry
bromelain
butyrate triglyceride
cat's claw
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
fiber blend (proprietary)
flavonols
garlic bulb
ginger
green tea
hemp oil
immunoglobin G
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
L-glutamine
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus lactis
Lactoferrin
licorice root
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
plantain
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
quercetin
resveratrol
Saccharomyces boulardii
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spirulina
streptococcus thermophilus
tributyrin
Triphala
Zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
blackboard tree
picrorhiza kurroa
Swertia
buckthorn
anemarrhena asphodeloides
Algae
apple cider vinegar
apigenin
anamu
Alchornea
andrographolide
Asteraceae
Acemannan
Amor seco
astragalin
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Boswellic Acid
bael
Basidiomycota
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bifidobacterium animalis
back nightshade
bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
cactus
Curcuminoid
curcumen
Curcuma
cabbage
Clostridium butyricum
colocynth
diterpenes
Euphorbia
fucoidan
fiber
Frangula
gallic acid
Glycomacropeptides
Guava
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
Humic acid
hericium mushroom
Immunoglobulin G
Kefir
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus sakei
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactococcus casei
Lactobacillus delbrueckii
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus
L. lactis
Mucilage
Nimbidin
Oligosaccharides
Oxymatrine
Osthole
polysaccharides
Plantago
phlorotannins
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
probiotics
Pediococcus acidilactici
Patrinia
Peptides
rosmarinic acid
Rhus coriaria
reed herb
Slippery Elm
Scabrous Gentian
Triterpenes
Tayuya
Trametes
Varuna
Other health conditions supported by colocynth
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Backache
Burning Feet or Hands
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Gout
Headache (general)
Hemorrhoids
Indigestion
Inflammation
Jaundice (adults)
Kidney Stones
Malaria
Nausea and Vomiting
Pain (general remedies for)