Know Your Remedies: Colocynthis (Coloc.)
Common Names: Bitter apple; bitter cucumber; bitter gourd.
General Information
Colocynthis is a remedy for intense neuralgic pain, colic, and cramps, especially in the abdomen. This pain will be caused and worsened by strong or pent-up emotions such as anger or indignation. Colicky pains may be caused by gallstones, kidney stones, menstruation, but is most often intestinal in origin. The person will be restless or twisting with the pain but find relief by applying hard pressure or bending double. Numbness of the area may follow the pains.
Mental-emotional Symptoms
- Impatient, irritable, and easily angered.
- Easily offended – humiliated by small things.
- Anger with intense pain, or intense pain caused by anger.
Head Problems
- Sharp, cutting pains on one side of head or face, or in one eye.
Dental Problems
- Neuralgic toothache that extends to head, face and ear.
Abdominal Problems
- Pain caused by emotions.
- Feels as if intestines “squeezed between stones”.
- Agonising pain.
- Pain relieved by hard pressure or lying on abdomen.
- Must bend double with the pain.
Menstrual Problems
- Severe dysmenorrhoea (painful periods) relieved by heat and pressure.
Limb Problems
- Right-side sciatic pain, shooting or band-like, which is worsened by motion but relieved by hard pressure.
- May be followed by numbness in the leg.
Where do I find it?
Colocynthis (Coloc.) is available from our online store as a single remedy in either pills or liquid and as part of the following Complexes (combination remedies): Colic; Irritable Bowel; Cramps – Menstrual.
Home Treatment Guidelines
Acute, Self-Limiting Conditions
Conditions like colds or minor injuries, which are short-term and typically improve on their own, can be managed at home with homeopathy. However, in emergencies or if symptoms worsen, contact your healthcare provider.
Chronic Conditions
These home treatment instructions do not apply for ongoing issues, whether mentioned above or not, like persistent allergies or chronic pain. You should consult a qualified homeopath for a personalized treatment plan to achieve the best results with homeopathy for chronic conditions.
How to Take the Remedy for Acute Conditions
- Take one pill or five drops of the remedy. The frequency depends on symptom severity. As examples:
- For life-threatening symptoms, take every 1 minute and seek emergency help immediately.
- For mild symptoms, take every 4 hours.
- Stop taking the remedy once you feel better. Resume if symptoms return.
- If no improvement after four doses, choose a different remedy or consult a professional homeopath.
- For more details on dosing, refer to: How Often to Dose with a 30C Homeopathic remedy.
- For information on the different potencies, read: Guidelines on which potency to use
