Evidence supporting the use of: Colocynth
For the health condition: Dyspepsia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), also known as bitter apple, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. It was historically used for a range of digestive complaints, including dyspepsia (indigestion), constipation, and abdominal pain. The plant’s bitter principles, primarily cucurbitacins, are thought to have stimulated digestive function in traditional contexts. Ancient physicians, including those from the Greco-Arab (Unani) and Ayurvedic traditions, prescribed colocynth for digestive sluggishness and other gastrointestinal symptoms. However, modern scientific validation for its efficacy in treating dyspepsia is lacking. Most contemporary research focuses on its drastic purgative effects and potential toxicity rather than its benefits for mild digestive discomfort. In fact, the use of colocynth is limited due to its well-documented risk of severe gastrointestinal irritation and toxicity. Current clinical guidelines do not recommend colocynth for dyspepsia, and its use is generally discouraged in modern herbal practice. In conclusion, while colocynth’s use for dyspepsia is rooted in traditional medicine, there is little to no high-quality scientific evidence supporting its safety or efficacy for this indication, and significant safety concerns exist.

More about Colocynth
More about Dyspepsia

Other ingredients used for Dyspepsia

cutch
allspice
aloe vera
green chiretta
apple
artichoke
barberry
basil
myrobalan
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
black pepper
blackberry
rice
chamomile
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
dandelion
fennel
flavonols
ginger
goldenseal
heartwood
Indian tinospora
licorice root
marshmallow
mustard seed
oregon grape
peppermint oil
phellodendron amurense
plantain
plum fruit
raspberry
slippery elm bark
sphaeranthus indicus
triphala
gastrodia
cardamom
papaya
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
anise
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
fumaria parviflora
swertia
peony
boxthorne
yarrow
prickly ash
myrrh
chrysanthemum
dioscorea
fern
hyacinth bean
sweetgums
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
wood betony
white oak
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
geranium
Avens
Angelica
acacia
Agrimony
Achyranthes
Abrus
Amomum
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Anserina
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Asam gelugor
Angostura
Alsonia scholaris
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Ananain
Abuta
Aniseed myrtle
Arisaema
Black Seed
Bai Ji
Bidens pilosa
Blackthorn
Bicarbonate
Blepharis
Belleric myrobalan
Bistort
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Bael
Boswellia
Banyan
Bur-Reed
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Bitter principals
Black root
banana
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Centaury
Cinnamomum
Combretum quadrangulare
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Centaurium erythraea
Citron
Carry Me Seed
Capsaicin
Curcumen
Catechu
Campylandra fimbriata
Colombo
Corktree
Curcuma
Chirata
Costus
Colocynth
Celosia
Dianthrone
Dichrostachys glomerata
Erodium cicutarium
Elephant's Head
European-Five Finger Grass
Embelia
Goldthread
Galangal
Lotus
Little ironweed
Snakeroot (unspecified)

Products containing Colocynth

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.