Steinmetz:Citrullus

Citrullus colocynthis

Also known as (or relevant to) Citrullus colocynthis Cucumis colocynthis Family Cucurbitaceae English Names Colocynth Bitter apple Natural Habitat Syria Cyprus Egypt Spain North and South Africa Arabia Israel Iran India Ceylon Part(s) Used Fructus Colocynthidis

Constituent(s) Colocynthin colocynthidin phytosterol bitter resin acids bitter alkaloid pectin gum elaterin Action drastic purgative emmenagogue abortive irritant toxic; the seed contained in the fruit has no action

Links

• Information in Von Esenbeck's book

Citrullus vuigaris var. fistulosus

Also known as (or relevant to) Citrullus vuigaris var. fistulosus Cucumis citrullus Family Rutaceae English Names Great Water Melon Natural Habitat Egypt tropical Africa China Southern Europe all over the world Part(s) Used Fructus Semen (deprived of testa)

Constituent(s) seed: citrullin fixed oil proteids Action fruit: used as food and drink diuretic refreshing nutritive antiseptic; seed: demulcent peptic