Evidence supporting the use of: Colocynth
For the health condition: Kidney Stones

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), also known as bitter apple, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia. In these traditions, colocynth has been used as a general purgative, anti-inflammatory agent, and sometimes as a remedy for urinary tract issues, including kidney stones. However, documentation specific to its use for kidney stones is sparse and often anecdotal, with most references coming from folk medicine rather than formalized herbal pharmacopeias.

There is minimal scientific evidence to support the efficacy or safety of colocynth for the treatment or prevention of kidney stones. Modern pharmacological studies have primarily focused on other properties of colocynth, such as its anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects, rather than its impact on renal calculi. Moreover, colocynth is known to be highly toxic when consumed in significant quantities, with potential to cause severe gastrointestinal irritation and even organ toxicity.

In summary, colocynth’s use for kidney stones is primarily based on traditional or folk practices, with no robust clinical or pharmacological studies substantiating its effectiveness for this condition. Due to its toxicity and lack of evidence, it is not recommended for this purpose in modern medical practice.

More about colocynth
More about Kidney Stones

Products containing colocynth

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