Ribbed gourd, Ghiraula
(Luffa acutangula, Linn)
Properties:
Nutritive, bitter tonic, diuretic, demulcent, expectorant and hypoglycemic.
Phytochemical:
Amino acids- arginine, glycine, threonine, glutamic acid leucine
Bitter substances – curcurbitacins, terpenes and saponins
Vitamins and Minerals- Calcium (18mg), Phosphorus (0.5mg), IRon (33mg), vitamin B2 (0.01mg), Niacin (0.01mg), Vitamin C (5mg), Carotene (2.6mg). Presence of fluorine, iodine is also reported.
Medicinal Uses:
1. It is nutritive plant and used as vegetable.
2. It is a bitter tonic and diuretic.
3. Seeds are emetic and purgative.
4. It is useful in the enlargement of spleen.
5. Leaves are good substitute for ipecacuanaha in dysentery.
6. The leaves or its juice are used as a dressing of store, inflamed spleen, ringworm, piles, leprosy and bites of insects.
7. Oil of seeds is effective in skin diseases.
8. The root is laxative.
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