Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that occurs in both men and women. It is caused by the bacterium, Neisseriagonorrhoeae. It has short life outside of the human body, but under exceptional circumstances can, live long enough to be spread by soiled clothing, toilet seats, towels or even bath water. If gonorrhea is not treated on time, it may result in complications which may affect the victim’s life tragically. Sterility, for example, has often resulted from neglecting treatment for gonorrhea in either men or women. In most cases, this infection targets your throat, rectum or urethra, although women may also develop this infection in their cervix.

Signs and symptoms

Mild in women and appear between two and ten days after contracting the infection, but sometimes no symptoms are seen. However early symptoms in women include bleeding during intercourse, yellow discharge, burning sensation when urinating and a need for frequent urination at night.

Men experience signs more frequently than women when infected. Common gonorrhea signs and symptom in them include a slight watery and milky discharge from the penis, penile pain, and burning sensation during urination, swollen and painful testicles.

More advanced symptoms in women which include progression to pelvic inflammatory disease include abdominal pain, bleeding between menstrual periods, spotting after intercourse, fever, vomiting and swelling of the vulva. In men the discharge increases, thickens, changes to a yellowish color and may be tinged with blood with the infection extending to the prostate and other bodily parts involved in sexual reproduction or urine elimination. All of which are far more difficult to treat.

Gonorrhea, if spread to the rectum can cause anal itching, anal discharge, and painful bowel movements. The infection, as a result of oral sex, can also occur in the throat, characterized by burning sensations and swollen glands.

It is also possible that infected mothers can transfer gonorrhea to their newborn babies during child birth. In babies, the eyes are commonly affected and if not properly treated can cause serious eye damage.

Gonorrhea often occurs in association with other sexually transmitted diseases, and so many women with gonorrhea interpret the symptoms as those of a yeast infection due to the vaginal discharge. It is very important to see a physician as soon as possible when one has symptoms that could indicate the presence of the disease for proper diagnosis.

It is a known fact gonorrhea is a serious “business” that can cause some long term effects if not properly handled. From the symptoms highlighted above, the conditioncan be very unpleasant, discomforting and evenembarrassing. Sometimes gonorrhea is not easily cured and unfortunately, does not go away on its own.The natural healing for gonorrhea involves using plant species with antibacterial properties as well as anti-inflammatories and immune boostersThankfully, nature has again provided solution withCitrulluscolocynthis-(African melon, colocynth, bitter apple, bitter cucumber, desert or wild  gourd, vine of Sodom, egwusi-Igbo, bara- Yoruba:Family – Cucurbitaceae (Gourd family).

The plant has been reported to possess traditional medicinal use in the treatment  different microbial infections.The fruit of African melon has been studied extensively for its wide range of biological activities, which include antioxidant, cytotoxic, antilipidemic, insecticide, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Several bioactive chemical constituents from fruits namely glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids and essential oils make it a powerful “bullet” for gonorrhea.

Composed of pure protein and edible oils, the tiny seeds of African melon pack a lot of healing into a small package.

Antibacterial effects of leaf extracts of Citrulluscolocynthishave beenshown to be suitable for treating ailments caused by bacteria and organisms. In one study, Gurudeeban et al., (2010) the antimicrobial effects of the active extracts were compared with gentamicin (10µg/disc) and piperacillin (100µg/disc).

Parts used fruit and roots:

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Fruit is cut up, and the seeds removed. The pulp is then soaked in plain water or lime juice for 12 hours. Take a shot a day.

Root is cut up, dried and powdered. Take not morethan 1 – 2 grams per day.

Caution: In people with sensitive stomach, it may produce severe purgation. In this case, start with a low dosage (1 tbsp of the extract and a pinch of the root powder).It is contra indicated in pregnancy, lactation and in children.

Other potent remedies include:

Alternantherarepens(reku-reku, saje -Yoruba; Omarubia-Igbo)-whole plant is used together with whole plants of Phyllanthusamarus (eyin-olobe) and Borreriaocymoides(irawoile-Yoruba; ogwungwo-Igbo).

Pauliniapinnata(kakasenla -Yoruba; aku-ise-Igbo) – whole plant parts very potent and would alleviate most advanced symptoms. Boil for 45 minutes and take 1 teacup 3 x daily.

Zanthoxylumsp.(fagara; orinata-Yoruba; ukor-Igbo) – stem bark and root extracted in grape fruit juice for 24 hours –  ½ tumbler is taken 2- 3 x daily. The root and bark can also be decocted for 45 minutes and taken ¼ tumbler 2 x daily.

Spondiasmombin (hog plum; iyeye-Yoruba; ogogo-Igbo) – the leaves, bark and root are decocted together in starchy water left after soaking corn (pap water).

Lawsoniainermis (lalli, laali – Yoruba) – dried leaves and bark taken as tea, 1 tablespoons 2 – 3 x daily is highly beneficial. In severe cases you can add the leaves, roots and bark of Ficusexasperata(sandpaper, epin-Yoruba; anwilinwa, asisa-Igbo).

Caricapapaya (paw paw) – the yellow leaves are decocted and for effective results combined with leaves of lemon grass, neem (dogonyaro), guava and lime peels. Take ¼ tumbler 3 x daily. The seeds and leaves of pawpaw can be juiced, sieved and also taken ¼ tumbler 3 x daily.

Supplements – vitamins C, B complex, K and zinc may be taken along with any of the herbal remedies recommended above.

Remember that gonorrhea spreads among multiple sex partners, using a condom reduces your chance of contracting the infection. However it is always better abstaining from sex while undergoing treatment.