Ecballium elaterium

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Ecballium elaterium (L.) A.Rich.

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Cucurbitaceae

  • Squirting Cucumber
  • yeroqet-khamor metzuya
  • יְרֹקֶת-חֲמוֹר מְצוּיָה
  • faqus abu himar فقوس أبو حمار
  • faqus el-hamir فقوس الحمير
  • faqus himar فقوس الحمار
  • qatha قتحة
  • qitha el-hamir قثاء الحمير
  • qitha el-himar قثاء الحمار

Hemicryptophyte

  • Disturbed habitats
Click Flora of Israel Online to view distribution and other botanical details.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Ecballium elaterium (L.) A.Rich.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/
Administration
Parts Used
Source
Child Health

Wean babies

Weaning

Apply juice of leaves to nipples; the bitter taste causes baby to stop breastfeeding.

Leaf Z
Dermatological

Erysipelas (skin infection)

Anti-Infective

Prepare compress of crushed leaves + "leben" (See NOTES). & apply topically

Leaf Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Earache

Analgesic

1.Extract juice from squeezed fruit & apply x1-2 drops into ear daily until healed. (B)
2. Apply fruit juice locally as eardrops. (Z)

Fruit B, Z
Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT)

Sinusitis

Anti-Infective

Extract juice from squeezed fruit, apply x1 drop to each nostril & inhale.

Fruit B
Gastrointestinal

Constipation

Laxative

Add few drops of fruit juice to dried fig & eat.

Fruit Z
Gastrointestinal

Haemorrhoids

Anti-haemorrhoidal

1. Extract juice from squeezed fruit & apply for pain as needed using syringe. (B)
2. Peel fruits, cover with vaseline & use as suppositories daily until healed. (B)
3. Add few drops of fruit juice to glass of milk & drink. (May cause initial discomfort ("a hard condition") but which heals later.) (Z)

Fruit B, Z
Gastrointestinal

Hepatitis

Anti-Infective, Hepatic

Use fruit juice as nose drops x1 drop to each nostril, after which large amount of yellow liquid escapes from nose & faeces become yellow.

Fruit Z
Gastrointestinal

Jaundice

Hepatic

Extract juice from squeezed fruit & apply x1-2 drops into nose (helps remove yellow colour from body).

Fruit B
General

Dropsy (oedema) (See NOTES)

Anti-hydropic

Decoct fruit in water & drink x3 large tablespoons/day.

Fruit Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Diuretic

Diuretic

Decoct leaves in water & drink x3 cups /day.

Leaf Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary tract stones

Anti-lithic

Decoct leaves in water & drink x3 cups /day.

Leaf Z
Musculoskeletal/ Joints

Rheumatic pain in muscles/ joints

Analgesic, Anti-arthritic, Anti-inflammatory

Use fruit juice and/or leaf juice to: 1. Massage painful area directly
2. Massage area after daily hot bath;
3. Use in steam bath.

Fruit, Leaf Z
Nervous system

Migraine

Analgesic

Decoct flowers & drink x2 cups /day as needed until recovery.

Flower B
Nervous System

Sleep inducer

Hypnotic

Decoct fruit & drink x1 tablespoon before sleeping.

Fruit Z
Oral Health

Toothache & tooth decay

Analgesic, Anti-caries

Squeeze juice from crushed leaves & fruit & gargle several times without swallowing.

Fruit, Leaf Z

Notes

1."Dropsy" is an old fashioned term used for an accumulation of excess fluid in tissues. It may be due to several causes including congestive heart failure.
2. "Leben" is a fermented milk widely used in the Middle East, used to produce yoghurt & buttermilk.

Cautions

Ecballium elaterium fruit contains cucurbitacins associated with severe adverse reactions including acute rhinitis & edema of the uvular, soft palate & upper airway.

Other Uses

Ecballium elaterium (L.) A.Rich.

System/State Complaint / Use Activity / Interpretation
 Traditional  
Preparation/
Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cosmetic

Whiten freckles

Freckle remover

Extract juice from squeezed fruit & apply to face x 2/day for whitening effect. .

Fruit B

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.