Colocynth

Botanical

What is it

Colocynth (Citrullus colocynthis), also called bitter apple or bitter cucumber, is a desert vine in the gourd family. It was historically used as a powerful laxative but has largely been abandoned in modern medicine due to toxicity.

How it works

Colocynth fruit pulp contains cucurbitacin glycosides (colocynthin), which produce a violent laxative effect by irritating the intestinal mucosa. They also have direct toxicity to gut and other tissues. Historical use was for severe constipation, but the high toxicity made it dangerous even in trained hands. Modern medicine has safer alternatives for all uses, so colocynth is rarely used today except in highly dilute homeopathic preparations.

Dosage

There is no consumer-safe dose. Even small amounts of dried colocynth pulp can cause severe gastroenteritis. Homeopathic dilutions follow individual product labels.

When and how to take it

There is no consumer-safe timing guidance. Colocynth is not appropriate for self-administration.

1 commercial form

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Colocynthis homeopathic dilution

Common in homeopathy for cramping; bears no resemblance in dose to traditional crude preparations.

Highly diluted; little measurable active.

Safety

Reported risks include severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, kidney damage, and death from larger doses. Highly dilute homeopathic preparations are unlikely to cause direct toxicity.

Who should be cautious

Colocynth should not be self-administered. Pregnant people should avoid entirely (risk of miscarriage). Children and the elderly are at particular risk.

Interactions

Should not be combined with other laxatives or with medications that affect kidney function or electrolyte balance.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use colocynth as a laxative?⌄

No. Colocynth is highly toxic and is no longer used as a medicinal laxative in modern practice. Safer over-the-counter options exist.

Is homeopathic colocynth safe?⌄

Highly dilute homeopathic forms contain little to no measurable plant material and are unlikely to cause direct toxicity. Clinical effectiveness is not established.

References

Colocynth on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Colocynth on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Colocynth (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.