| Common Names | Colocynth, Tsamma Melon, Watermelon |
|---|---|
| Description | |
| Locations | Epirus |
| Clinical Summary | |
| Contraindications | No side effects have been reported. |
| Active Substance | alkaloids Proteins fibers sterols lysine minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc) b-carotene Vitamins C and B2 lycopene triterpene cucurbitacin organic acids (lauric acid, palmitic acid) |
| Active Substance Plant Part | leaves leaves essential oil seeds |
| Adverse Reaction | |
| Educational Research | |
| Interaction | |
| Features Description | Citrullus vulgaris is an annual herb growing from 50cm to 2m, with palmate, green, serrated leaves, yellow flowers and oblong, cylindrical or oval, shiny, green fruits. The flowering and the harvesting take place from July to August and the fruiting lasts from June to August. |
| Method Administration | It is administered as diuretic and cardiotonic in the form of herbal tea (2-3 cups a day), or as a fresh fruit. The seeds oil is often used to produce soaps, which have antioxidant and regenerative properties.Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
| Pharmacological Info | The whole plant has cardiotonic, emollient, diuretic, antipyretic, laxative and antithelminthic properties. The seeds are administered in the form of herbal tea against various urinary problems, helminths and hypertension. The consumption of fruits contributes to the treatment of fever, nephrolithiasis and constipation. They also regulate heart's function and blood pressure. Finally, the whole plant has antioxidant and immunostimulant properties, due to its high content in beta-carotene and lycopene. |
| Pharmacological Use | |
| Mechanism Action | |
| References | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1264522/ http://www.ijrpbsonline.com/files/37-4448.pdf http://pakjp.pk/articles/23092011083538.pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15902549 http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/melons30.html http://www.medical-explorer.com/medicinal-ingredients-w/watermelon_1.html |
| Research |
