- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (Southeast Asia)
- Sanskrit
- Kusmanda
- Other names
- Wintermeloen
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Food · № 435
Benincasa hispida
Food · Asia
Ash gourd
Benincasa hispida
Traditionally attributed effects: nourishing, tonic, laxative, diuretic; seeds expel worms; juice for coughing up blood and internal bleeding, for insanity, epilepsy and nervous diseases.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Fresh fruit juice 56–112 ml; as a preserve.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Kusmanda. The fruit (petha) is covered in a white wax and keeps for months. In India a crystallised sweet is made from it (Agra ka petha); in China and Vietnam it is eaten in soups against summer heat. In Ayurveda (kushmanda) it is a calming, nourishing remedy.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Nourishing, tonic, laxative, diuretic; seeds expel worms; juice for coughing up blood and internal bleeding, for insanity, epilepsy and nervous diseases.
Preparation and amount
Fresh fruit juice 56–112 ml; as a preserve.
Chinese food therapy
Attributed effects
The seed (dong gua ren) goes into the formula da huang mu dan pi tang for heat and stagnation in the bowel.