Ash Gourd - Medicinal Plants : Medicinal Plants

The Scientific name of Ash Gourd: Benincasa Hispida

Name in Ash Gourd in different languages:-

English- Wax Gourd, Winter Melon, White Gourd, Winter Gourd, Tallow Gourd

Sanscrit: Kushmanda

Hindi: पेठा-Peda , कुष्माण्ड-Kushmand

Tamil: நீர்ப் பூசணிக்காய்

Malayalam: Kumbalam കുമ്പളം

Plant description of Ash Gourd

Ash Gourd – Benincasa hispida is an annual vine, grow up to 20 m length. It can’t grow in the shade better in moist soil and it has the ability to tolerate the drought. Leaf and stem are white hairy and young fruits too, flowering starting from July to September, and the fruit ripen from August to December. The flowers are both male and female in the same plant, deep yellow in colour with five petals, matured fruits covered with a powdery white waxy green peripheral and fleshy inside contain lots of seeds, which are white and sharp in both end with size 1 cm. Fruits weighing 2.5 to 4 Kg. approximately.

Leaf Arrangement

Shape-heart shaped	Margin-Doubly-serrated	Venation-Palmate

Useful plant parts:

Seed, Leaf, fruit

Medicinal uses:

Wax gourd juice of the fruit can reduce overweight, it is used in the treatments of dandruff, blood purification, and bronchial diseases, increases memory power, and tapeworms.

Ayurvedic uses of ash gourd

Cooling Properties: Ash gourd is considered to have cooling properties according to Ayurveda. It is often recommended during the hot summer months to help cool down the body.
Digestive Health: It is believed to be beneficial for the digestive system. Ash gourd is often used to alleviate digestive issues like indigestion, acidity, and gastritis.
Urinary Disorders: It is used traditionally to support urinary health. Ash gourd is believed to help in conditions like urinary tract infections and kidney stones.
Weight Management: In Ayurveda, ash gourd is sometimes recommended for those looking to manage their weight. It is considered low in calories and is believed to have properties that support weight loss.
Respiratory Health: Ash gourd is used to address respiratory conditions like cough and asthma. It is believed to have properties that help in clearing respiratory passages.
Stress and Anxiety: Some Ayurvedic practitioners believe that ash gourd may have calming properties, which can help reduce stress and anxiety.
Diabetes Management: Ash gourd is believed to have properties that may be beneficial for individuals with diabetes. It is thought to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Skin Conditions: It is applied topically to treat various skin conditions. Ash gourd is believed to have properties that can help soothe and heal the skin.
Liver Health: Some traditional practices suggest that ash gourd may be beneficial for the liver. It is believed to help in detoxifying the liver and supporting its overall health.
Heart Health: While more research is needed, there are indications that certain compounds found in ash gourd may have potential benefits for cardiovascular health.

Chemical content:

Alunsenol and Mutiflorenol.

Medicinal properties:

Anti-microbial, anti-coagulant

How to prepare medicines:

Crushed leaf juice can be applied on the head to stop bleeding due to wounds, piles, etc (it is an anticoagulant).

Cut to a piece of ash gourd is kept over the eyes to get cooling.

Drinking fruit juice with a little salt is capable of reducing weight.

Eating fresh fruit is beneficial for curing intestinal parasites, acidity, and ulcers.

Ash gourd is used as an ingredient to prepare Ayurveda medicines like:-

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