Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
A Mediterranean and subtropical plant ranging from the Canary Islands to southern Russia and northern Iran.
Also known as: Ecballium elaterium
“Cucumber” here does not mean the edible cucumber Cucumis sativus. A photograph alone cannot certify a plant for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Documented inventory entry
ANSM List A records: fruit. It inventories traditional use without specifying an indication, dose or clinical benefit here.
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
Read the sourceResearch context
Exposure to fruit juice. Swelling of the uvula, nose or other upper-airway sites was reported. A case series cannot quantify risk; it supports avoiding this home use.
This entry describes a risk or interaction, not a beneficial property.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- PrecautionAirway swelling has been reported after use of fruit juice. Avoid home preparations, particularly nasal use; this risk is not a therapeutic property.Source
- Insufficient dataThese sources are not a complete list of contraindications for every form.Source
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataThis dossier cannot establish compatibility with medication. A limited study does not replace an interaction review of the exact product.
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- Airway swelling has been reported after use of fruit juice. Avoid home preparations, particularly nasal use; this risk is not a therapeutic property.
- These sources are not a complete list of contraindications for every form.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions are not assessed in this profile: have any combination with medication checked.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
Do not use, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- Uvular and upper-airway swelling is documented. Breathing difficulty requires emergency assistance.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Do not use, including during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children & adolescents
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Available evidence
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
The available evidence.
The documented finding is a risk, not a sinusitis benefit.
What was measured
Nasal exposure can cause swelling of the upper airway.
This entry describes a risk or interaction, not a beneficial property.
Read the referenceLimitations to keep in mind.
This finding concerns the study preparation; it provides no home-use instructions.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Kloutsos et al. — Upper airway edema from Ecballium elaterium (2001)
This entry describes a risk or interaction, not a beneficial property.
- Type of research
- Retrospective series of 42 patients.
- Preparation concerned
- Exposure to fruit juice.
- Observed results
- Swelling of the uvula, nose or other upper-airway sites was reported.
- Limitations to consider
- A case series cannot quantify risk; it supports avoiding this home use.
What can we take from this?
A case series cannot quantify risk; it supports avoiding this home use.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — Liste A, janvier 2026, page 15Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO / MPNS — Ecballium elateriumAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Kloutsos et al. (2001). Upper airway edema resulting from use of Ecballium elaterium.Accessed on 09/10/2026
Image: insiderelic · CC0 1.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.