Ridge Gourd

BOTANICAL NAME: Luffa acutangula (Linn.) Roxb.

FAMILY: Cucurbitaceae

CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Charaka Samhita

Vamana – group of herbs that are used for inducing vomiting, in Vamana Panchakarma therapy

Phalini- fruit group of herbs

Sushruta Samhita

Urdwabagahara – group of herbs that are used for inducing vomiting

Ubhayatobagahara – a group of herbs that are useful both in Vamana and Virechana therapies.

Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga

Dhanvantari Nighantu- Guduchyadi varga

Bhavaprakasha- Shaka varga

Raja Nighantu- Moolakadi varga

Shodala Nighantu- Guduchyadi

ENGLISH NAME: Ridge gourd, Ribbed gourd, angled luffa

COMMON NAME:

Hindi name– Taroi, Kharro, Nenua / Gilki / Chikni

Turai / Kalitori Tharoayi

Assamese Name– Zika, Bhul Bengali Name- Ghinga, Jhinga

Gujarati Name– Ghisoda, Turiya, Turia / Sirola Kannada Name- Heerekayi, Heerakai

Konkani Name– Gossale

Marati Name– Shirola, Dodaki, Dodka / Doadakee

Malayalam Name– Peechinga

Tamil Name– Peerakangai, Pirkkankai

HABITAT: Koshataki is a climber growing all over India in the temperate climate. The non- bitter variety of koshataki is used as a vegetable and is cultivated all over the country.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:

Ridge gourd, with the botanical name Luffa acutangula, is a climbing vine in the Cucurbitaceae family, cultivated for its immature, green fruits. It is an annual plant characterized by its climbing/trailing habit, deeply lobed leaves, and ribbed, cylindrical fruits that have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and white pulp.

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Oleanolic acid

THERAPEUTIC USES:

• In piles, ridge gourd fruit powder is applied externally.
• Seed kernel is used to treat dysentery.
• In headache, fruit juice is applied over the forehead.
• Seed powder is given orally in urinary bladder stone.
• Finely powdered leaves of ridge gourd applied locally is useful in spleen inflammation, piles, ringworm and leprosy
• Leaves juice is used as eye drops to treat granular conjunctivitis in children
• Dried fruit powder is used to prevent premature graying of hair. Fruit along with the ribbed skin is chopped in small pieces and completely dried under the sun. Then made into a powder and used to prevent the premature graying of hair.
• Luffa acutangula seed oil is used in the treatment of skin diseases.

In leprosy, pounded Ridge gourd leaves with garlic are applied locally

INDICATIONS:

Kasa – cough, cold

Garavisha – chronic poisoning

Udara – ascites, enlargement of the abdomen Pandu – anemia

Shopha – inflammation

Pleeha – Disease of the spleen, Splenomegaly Gulma – Tumors of the abdomen

Arsha – haemorrhoids

Kushta – skin diseases

Kamala – Jaundice, Liver diseases

USEFUL PART: Whole plant

DOSAGE:

3-6 gm powder

10-20ml Fresh juice