Ecballium elaterium (L.) A.Rich.
Cucurbitaceae
- Squirting Cucumber
- 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
- יְרֹקֶת-חֲמוֹר מְצוּיָה
- yeroqet-khamor metzuya
Hemicryptophyte
- Disturbed habitats
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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) |
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) |
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 |
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 |
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.
2. "Leben" is a fermented milk widely used in the Middle East, used to produce yoghurt & buttermilk.