Ancient Greek physicians used this fruit as a drastic purgative and for dropsy, lethargy, mania, and to induce abortion. The seeds are thought to be highly nutritious, but if the bulk of the fruit is eaten, a resinous substance called colocynthin is released, which acts on the bowels, causing inflammation and cramps. The homeopathic remedy is used for these same symptoms as well as colicky pain and other digestive complaints. The main conditions treated with Colocynthis are characterized by colicky or neuralgic pain caused by suppressed anger. It is very effective for headaches, facial neuralgia, stomach pain accompanied by nausea or vomiting, severe abdominal pain that is eased by lying down with the knees drawn up, and abdominal pain with diarrhea. Nerve pain around the kidneys or ovaries, gout, sciatica (pain that spreads along the sciatic nerve), rheumatism, and dizziness caused by holding the head to one side due to rheumatism in the neck, are all helped by this remedy. People who need Colocynthis suffer from pent-up anger. Often this anger or irritability is made worse by questioning or indignation.