Food · Asia
Ridged gourd
Luffa acutangula
Traditionally attributed effects: soothing, diuretic, bitter tonic, nourishing, expectorant, lowers blood sugar; seeds emetic and laxative; for enlarged spleen, dysentery; leaves on ulcers, ringworm, haemorrhoids, leprosy, insect and snake bites.
Safety notes
Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Preparation
Seeds 1.5–2 g (soothing 5–10 g); fruit juice 5–10 g; tea 28–56 ml; leaves or leaf juice externally; seed oil on the skin.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sanskrit name: Koshataki. The ridged fruit (turai) is eaten young as a vegetable in India and Southeast Asia; when dried out its fibrous skeleton becomes a sponge. In Ayurveda the bitter wild form (koshataki) is an emetic and laxative.
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
Soothing, diuretic, bitter tonic, nourishing, expectorant, lowers blood sugar; seeds emetic and laxative; for enlarged spleen, dysentery; leaves on ulcers, ringworm, haemorrhoids, leprosy, insect and snake bites; root for oedema.
Preparation and amount
Seeds 1.5–2 g (soothing 5–10 g); fruit juice 5–10 g; tea 28–56 ml; leaves or leaf juice externally; seed oil on the skin.
Caution: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)