Colocynthis (also spelled Colocynth) is a homeopathic remedy derived from the dried pulp of the fruit of the plant Citrullus colocynthis, commonly known as “bitter apple” or “vine of Sodom.” It belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, which also includes cucumbers and watermelons.
🌿 Botanical Source:
- Scientific Name: Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.
- Common Names: Bitter apple, Colocynth, Wild gourd, Vine of Sodom.
- Origin: Native to the Mediterranean Basin and parts of Asia and North Africa.
💊 Homeopathic Use:
Colocynthis is a well-known homeopathic medicine primarily used for conditions involving severe, cramping, or cutting pains that are relieved by bending double or applying firm pressure.
✅ Key Indications:
- Severe abdominal colic (intestinal or menstrual) — cramping, griping pains.
- Pain relieved by bending forward or applying pressure.
- Neuralgic pains — especially sharp, shooting pains along nerves (e.g., sciatica, facial neuralgia).
- Irritability and anger accompanying physical pain — the person may be very sensitive and want to be left alone.
- Menstrual cramps with clutching, cramping pain forcing the person to bend over.
- Diarrhea or dysentery with cutting pains before and during stool.
🧍♀️ Modalities (What makes it better or worse):
- Better: Bending double, hard pressure, warmth, rest.
- Worse: Anger, emotional stress, after eating (especially rich/fatty foods), cold.
🧠 Mental/Emotional Profile:
Patients needing Colocynthis are often:
- Extremely irritable due to pain.
- Easily angered or offended.
- Want to be left alone when in pain.
- May suppress emotions, especially anger, which then manifests as physical symptoms.
⚠️ Safety Note:
- The raw plant is highly toxic — it contains cucurbitacins, which are violently purgative and can cause severe gastroenteritis, kidney damage, or even death if ingested improperly.
- In homeopathy, it is used in highly diluted (potentized) forms, making it safe when used according to homeopathic principles.
💉 Common Potencies:
- 6C, 30C, 200C — for acute conditions like colic or neuralgia.
- Often taken every 15–30 minutes in acute attacks, then less frequently as symptoms improve.
📚 Historical Use:
Colocynthis has been used since ancient times — in Egyptian, Greek, and Ayurvedic medicine — as a powerful purgative. In homeopathy, it was introduced by Samuel Hahnemann and remains a core remedy for spasmodic and neuralgic pains.
🆚 Differentiation from Similar Remedies:
- Magnesia phosphorica: Also for cramps relieved by bending and pressure, but more gentle; cramps better with warmth (like a hot water bottle).
- Nux vomica: For colic from overeating/spicy food/alcohol; irritable, impatient, chilly; not as dramatically relieved by pressure or bending.
- Dioscorea: Pains better by bending backward (opposite of Colocynthis).
✅ Summary Mnemonic:
“Colocynthis = Cramps + Curling up + Cranky”