Ecballium elaterium Squirting cucumber (Cucurbitaceae)

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Ecballium elaterium
Squirting cucumber
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The Ecballium elaterium plant species is found in Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain at a few locations along the south coast[17]. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Squirting cucumber.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Ecballium elaterium
Common Name:  Squirting cucumber
Family:  Cucurbitaceae
Author:  (L.)A.Rich.

Known Hazards:  Poisonous in large quantities[7] (this probably refers to the fruit). The juice of the fruit is irritative to some skins[148].

Mature Height:  0.3   Mature Width:  1

Habitat:  Hot dry places on waste ground and roadsides[45, 86], usualy close to the coast[7].

Medicinal Information: The squirting cucumber has been used as a medicinal plant for over 2,000 years[238]. The juice of the fruit is antirheumatic, cardiac and purgative[1, 7, 61, 86, 89]. The plant is a very powerful purgative that causes evacuation of water from the bowels[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of oedema associated with kidney complaints, heart problems, rhuematism, paralysis and shingles[86, 238]. Externally, it has been used to treat sinusitis and painful joints[238]. It should be used with great caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[4, 238]. Excessive doses have caused gastroenteritis and even death[7]. It should not be used by pregnant women since it can cause an abortion[7]. The fully grown but unripe fruits are harvested during the summer, they are left in containers until the contents are expelled and the juice is then dried for later use[46, 238]. The root contains an analgesic principle[240].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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