
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’s juice of the fruit can reduce overweight, it is used in the treatments of dandruff, blood purification, bronchial diseases, increases memory power, 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 apply on head to stop bleeding due to wound, piles etc (it is an anti-coagulant).
Cut to piece of ash gourd is kept over eyes to get cooling.
Drink the fruit juice with little salt is capable to reduce over weight.
Eating of fresh fruit is beneficial to cure intestinal parasites, acidity and ulcers.
Ash gourd is used as an ingredient to prepare the Ayurveda medicines like:-