Colocynth (coloquint). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

CULTURAL AND WILD PLANTS
Free library / Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

Colocynth (coloquint). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Genus, family, origin, range, chemical composition, economic importance
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Colocynth (Coloquint), Citrullus colocynthis. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Colocynth (coloquint)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Citrullus.

Family: Cucurbitaceae (cucurbitaceae).

Origin: Southwest Asia, North Africa, Southern Europe.

Area: Mediterranean, Middle East, India, Pakistan.

Chemical composition: Colocynt contains alkaloids, glycosides, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. One of the main active ingredients is colocynthine, which has a laxative, choleretic and anti-inflammatory effect.

Economic value: Colocynt is prescribed in medicine as a laxative and choleretic agent, as well as in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory diseases. In folk medicine, colocynth is used to treat skin diseases and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In the food industry, colocynth is used to produce drugs for the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as a spice for flavoring dishes.

Myths, legends, symbolism: In the mythology of the ancient Greeks, the colocynth was often associated with the goddess of love, Aphrodite. She is said to have used it to create a love potion that helped her turn her attention to the men she wanted. The colocynth also has a symbolic meaning in the Christian tradition, where it is often associated with the bitter pain and suffering that Christ endured on the cross. In medieval Christian iconography, the colocynth was often depicted next to the cross. In Chinese culture, the colocynth also has a symbolic meaning. It is considered a symbol of longevity and prosperity, and is often used in feng shui to bring good luck and prosperity.

Colocynth (Coloquint), Citrullus colocynthis. Description, illustrations of the plant

Colocynth (Coloquint), Citrullus colocynthis. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Colocynth (coloquint)

The plant, a species of the genus Watermelon (Citrullus) of the Cucurbitaceae family, comes from the Mediterranean and Asia. Considered the ancestor of the cultivated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus).

Colocynt is a perennial herbaceous plant, creeping along the ground and clinging with antennae. The leaves are rounded-notched, deeply three-five-lobed. Flowers unisexual, solitary, large, yellow, joint-petaled, with tubular corolla. The fruits are spherical three-celled berries the size of a lemon, with a dense smooth green-spotted skin. When ripe, the peel becomes straw-yellow, and the placenta split, and a three-beam slit is formed in the center of the fruit. Inside the fruit contains white pulp (pulp) with numerous seeds. Seeds are ovoid, flat, smooth, hard, yellowish in color. They have a very bitter taste, but are odorless.

The range of the species covers the sandy steppes and semi-deserts of North Africa, the Mediterranean coast, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and some parts of Pakistan and India. The plant is cultivated within its range.

The fruit pulp contains resins extracted with diethyl ether and chloroform, glycosides (up to 2%), pectins and proteins. The strong laxative effect of the fruits of the plant is due to the glycoside colocintin contained in their pulp, the genins of which are elatherins, derivatives of the tetracyclic triterpene cucurbitacin.

The pulp of the fruits of colocynth has a very pronounced laxative property, when used in small quantities, causing profuse diarrhea, in case of an overdose it causes vomiting, intestinal colic, enteritis and gastritis.

Powder or extract of colocynth fruit is used as a strong laxative and hepatic stimulant, they are also part of the medicines for dropsy. In overdose, they can cause severe acute pain in the intestines with dangerous inflammation. In the places of its growth, the plant has been used as a medicine since ancient times. It was introduced into European medicine by the Arabs. A decoction of the pulp of the fruit was also used as an insecticidal agent.

Colocynt, which also grows in Israel, is identified with the "wild gourd" mentioned in the Fourth Book of Kings (4 Kings 4:38-41).

Colocynth seeds are bitter but edible, have a nutty flavor and are rich in fats and proteins. They are eaten whole or used to make oil. The fat content in the seeds is 17-19%.

Colocynth (Coloquint), Citrullus colocynthis. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

Treatment of rheumatism and joint pain: colocynth is applied externally in the form of compresses to relieve pain and inflammation in the joints.
Constipation treatment: Colocynth tincture can help improve digestion and relieve constipation.
Treatment of skin diseases: Colocynth is applied topically as an ointment or cream to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: colocynth is used to treat various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as stomach ulcers and gastritis.
Treatment of diseases of the urinary tract: colocynth helps to improve kidney and urinary tract function, and also relieves inflammation in urinary tract diseases.

Cosmetology:

Improving the condition of the skin of the face: A colocynth mask can help clear and brighten facial skin, as well as improve its texture and tone.
Acne treatment: Colocynth tincture can help reduce inflammation and dry out pimples, as well as reduce the appearance of acne on the skin.
Treatment of fungal infections of the skin: Colocynth is applied topically as an ointment or cream to treat fungal infections of the skin.
Reducing Inflammation: colocynth can help reduce inflammation and itching in a variety of skin conditions.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Colocynth (Coloquint), Citrullus colocynthis. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Cultivation:

Colocynt can be grown from seeds that should be sown in early spring in a well-lit area.
The plant needs enough sunlight and warmth.
Well-drained soils with a neutral pH and good organic matter content are best suited for colocynt cultivation.
The plant should be watered regularly, but do not oversaturate the soil with water.
The colocynth can grow quite large, so it needs to be given enough room to grow.

Workpiece:

For use as a medicine, colocynth should only be harvested from ripe fruits.
Colocynth fruits should be harvested when they are fully ripe and discolored.
After harvesting the fruits, they must be dried well in the sun, and then stored in a dry, cool and dark place.

Storage:

Keep colocynth in a dry, cool and dark place.
Colocynt fruit can be stored for several years if properly harvested and stored as recommended.

We recommend interesting articles Section Cultivated and wild plants:

▪ Ceylon cinnamon (cinnamon)

▪ Sunflower

▪ Mash

▪ Play the game "Guess the plant from the picture"

See other articles Section Cultivated and wild plants.

Comments on the article Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

Internet slows down in summer 09.02.2010

Journalists of the American magazine "Wired", devoted to novelties of electronic technology, became interested in this issue.

Since most of the cables that make up the World Wide Web system are made of copper, in the summer the speed of downloading information from the Internet seems to be reduced. As the temperature rises, the resistance of metals increases. However, a review of data on the seasonal change in the speed of 15-20 major world Internet providers showed that, on the contrary, the speed of information transfer is maximum from June to August.

The point is simply that most of the Internet users are concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere and in the summer they relax, rarely turning on their computers. Thus, in July 2008, the volume of information transferred was 58% lower than in September, when everyone returned from vacations and surfed the Internet, increasing the load on communications.

Other interesting news:

▪ Moving objects with light rays

▪ Tomato produces vitamin D

▪ Europe in sulfuric acid

▪ Toshiba Wireless Hard Drive Solution

▪ LG Smartphone

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site For a beginner radio amateur. Article selection

▪ article Chemical contamination. Basics of safe life

▪ article How did David Copperfield's skills help him avoid a mugging? Detailed answer

▪ article Abrasions and abrasions. Health care

▪ article Converter for satellite TV reception. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Invulnerable balloon. Focus Secret

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews