Indravaruni: Benefits, Evidence, Dosage & Safety

TL;DR

Indravaruni is the bitter-apple fruit (Citrullus colocynthis), a powerful traditional purgative. Two small randomized trials, 50 and 70 type-2 diabetes patients over two months, reported lower HbA1c and fasting glucose at 100–300 mg of fruit powder daily. But the fruit is frankly toxic: case reports describe bloody diarrhea, vomiting, kidney injury and multiorgan failure after ingestion. Never self-dose.

What it is

Indravaruni is the fruit of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad., a trailing perennial of the Cucurbitaceae (gourd) family, monographed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Part I, Vol. III); the root and leaf are monographed in Part I, Vol. II. It is known in English as bitter apple or colocynth (IJCRT review).

Traditional use

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the fruit for jaundice, the root for diseases of the liver and spleen, and the leaf for cutaneous affections and alopecia, per a peer-reviewed survey of the classical literature (IJCRT review). The same review notes its traditional use in India and Iran for diabetes, jaundice and asthma, and as a strong purgative (IJCRT review). These are traditional claims, not clinical proof: the human evidence is assessed separately below.

What modern research says

Type 2 diabetes (two small randomized trials)

In a 2-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 50 type-2 diabetes patients on standard therapy received 100 mg C. colocynthis fruit capsules three times daily (300 mg/day) or placebo. The treated group showed a significant decrease in HbA1c and fasting blood glucose, with no significant change in lipids, liver enzymes or creatinine, and no notable gastrointestinal side effects (Huseini et al., Phytotherapy Research, 2009; study page). The trial was small and lasted only two months, and the authors called for larger long-term studies.

A second randomized trial in 70 type-2 diabetes patients tested 125 mg of C. colocynthis fruit once daily for 2 months versus placebo. HbA1c and fasting blood sugar fell significantly in the intervention group but not in the placebo group, with no side effects identified during the study (J. Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences). Again small and short: promising but preliminary.

Diabetic nerve pain (topical, small trial)

A two-arm, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 60 patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy applied a topical C. colocynthis fruit formulation for three months. The mean pain-score reduction was significantly greater with the active formulation than placebo (3.89 vs 2.28, p<0.001), with some nerve-conduction measures also improving (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02155361; trial report). This tested an external preparation, not ingestion, and needs replication in larger trials.

What the evidence does not support (yet)

Long-term efficacy and toxicity are unknown: both diabetes trials lasted only two months in small groups. There is no clinical evidence for indravaruni in liver disease, asthma or any other traditional use.

Dosage

No pharmacopoeial dose was identified. Published clinical-trial protocols used 100 mg fruit capsules three times daily (300 mg/day) for two months (Huseini et al., 2009) and 125 mg once daily for two months (J. Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences). These are study protocols in supervised settings, not dosage recommendations: this plant is toxic, and any dose must be set by a qualified practitioner. Never self-dose.

Safety & contraindications

Indravaruni is a toxic purgative, and poisoning reports are severe:

In the Huseini diabetes trial, mild diarrhea occurred in 10% of patients and subsided with continued treatment: but that was a supervised trial at a fixed 300 mg/day dose (Huseini et al., 2009). There are no safety data for pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not use indravaruni for constipation or any purpose without a qualified practitioner; it is contraindicated in pregnancy by precaution given the complete absence of safety data and its documented toxicity.

FAQs

Is indravaruni poisonous?

Yes. Case reports document bloody diarrhea, vomiting, kidney injury, liver injury and multiorgan toxicity after ingesting the fruit, including in a child given it for constipation (J. Medical Case Reports, 2025; Am. J. Emergency Medicine, 2022). It is a strong purgative that must never be self-dosed.

Does indravaruni lower blood sugar?

Two small 2-month randomized trials (50 and 70 type-2 diabetes patients) reported significant drops in HbA1c and fasting glucose with 125–300 mg of fruit powder daily versus placebo (Huseini et al., 2009; J. Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences). The trials were small and short, and the plant's toxicity means these results do not make it safe to use.

Can I take it for constipation?

No. People have been hospitalized with bloody diarrhea and organ injury after using colocynth fruit for constipation (J. Medical Case Reports, 2025). Use safe, standard treatments and see a clinician.

What dose did the studies use?

Supervised trials used 100 mg fruit capsules three times daily (300 mg/day) or 125 mg once daily, for two months (Huseini et al., 2009). These are study protocols, not recommendations: do not copy them at home.

What are the signs of colocynth poisoning?

Profuse watery or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure and reduced urine output, beginning within hours of ingestion (J. Medical Case Reports, 2025). Seek emergency care immediately.

Is indravaruni safe in pregnancy?

No safety data exist for pregnancy or breastfeeding, and the fruit is a documented toxin. Avoid entirely.

Sources

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Herbal products can interact with medications and are not suitable for everyone. Talk to a qualified healthcare practitioner before use — especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, managing a medical condition, or taking prescription medicines.