Colocynthis

Cucumis colocynthis syn. Citrullus colocynthis

Origin
Native to Turkey, but can now be found growing in many hot, dry, sandy regions throughout the world.

Background
Used in ancient Greece as a strong purgative and for complaints ranging from mania to lethargy, edema, and dropsy.

Preparation
The dried, deseeded fruit is powdered and macerated in alcohol, before being diluted and succussed.

Common Names
Colocynth, bitter apple, bitter cucumber.

COLOCYNTH This gourd contains a substance called colocynthin, which causes severe cramps and gastrointestinal inflammation if ingested.

Key Symptoms

conditions that are triggered by pent-up anger; colicky pains that are relieved by pressure; indignation; neuralgic pains that are better for warmth

In the Old Testament, it is related that the prophet Elisha turned this bitter, toxic gourd into an edible fruit during famine, but colocynth was generally used as a drastic purgative, and also to induce abortion. Ingesting the pulp causes inflammation of the bowels and severe cramps. The homeopathic remedy, which was proved by Hahnemann in 1821, is used to treat these same symptoms, as well as colicky pains, neuralgia, and cramps in the pelvis.

Remedy Profile

Colocynthis works best on those whose symptoms are brought on by suppressed anger. These people tend to be generally restless, anxious, and reserved, but easily irritated or angered. They have a strong sense of right and wrong, and can feel humiliated if their opinion is contradicted; the humiliation then gives way to indignation. Colocynthis is prescribed if the physical complaint, such as neuralgia or a digestive disorder, is brought on by, or exacerbated by, pent-up anger.

The remedy is used chiefly for acute pain, specifically colicky abdominal pain; cramping in the hips, kidneys, and ovaries; headaches; or shooting nerve pain in the face, neck, and limbs. It may also be prescribed for gout and rheumatic pain in the neck.

Colic & diarrhea

Symptoms: Griping, twisting, spasmodic pains just below the navel. Often of sudden onset, the pain is generally linked to repressed anger, but may also have a physical cause, such as gallstones. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with copious, thin, green or yellowish stools. The abdomen may feel bloated, and pressing on the site or passing gas may bring relief.

Colocynthis may be prescribed for infantile colic if a baby screams, gets red in the face, and draws the legs up to the abdomen. The pain is usually most intense in the evening, lasting from a few minutes to several hours.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for bending double; for passing gas or stools; for coffee.

Symptoms worse: For anger; before diarrhea or passing stools; for drinking; for eating, particularly fruits.

Facial neuralgia

Symptoms: Searing pain on the right side of the face, maybe extending to the ear. The burning, lacerating pain often comes in acute waves. There may also be a headache with right-sided facial neuralgia.

Symptoms better: For firm pressure on the affected area; for sleep; for coffee.

Symptoms worse: For anger; for touch; for movement.

Menstrual problems

Symptoms: Cramping pain in the uterus or ovaries during menstruation. Alternatively, menstrual periods may cease entirely following bouts of extreme anger.

Symptoms better: For heat; for the application of firm pressure to the affected area.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for anger; for emotional stress.

Neuralgic pains

Symptoms: Sharp pains down the outer side (usually the right side) of the thigh, leg, and foot. These severe, tearing pains are often accompanied by a backache, followed by numbness and weakness in the limbs. Sciatica and sharp, cramping pain in the kidneys, hips, or pelvis may also be helped by this remedy.

Symptoms better: For warmth; for bending double; for lying on the painful side; for firm pressure on the affected area.

Symptoms worse: For cold; for drafts; for anger; for the slightest movement, even breathing deeply; for lying on the non-painful side.

« Collinsonia

Comocladia »

Disclaimer | Feedback