Ash Gourd: The Versatile Vegetable with Amazing Health Benefits and Recipes

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Ash Gourd botanical name is Benincasa Hispida, some other common names are wax gours, kusmanda, brhatphala, petha. It is also known as white gourd or wax gourd; it is an annual herb. It is an ash-colored, large fruit-vegetable like pumpkin and is commonly cultivated for its nutritive and medicinal values. Ash gourd is a plant that grows in warm areas of the world. It has been used by people for many centuries to treat various ailments. The seeds of this plant contain an alkaloid called paeoniflorin which has been found to have potent antioxidant properties.

Ash gourd is a wholesome and nutritive fruit-vegetable, an analysis shows a substantial amount of moisture and a small amount of protein, fat, fiber, and carbohydrates. Its minerals and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. Its calorific value is 15. The seeds contain a pale-yellow oil.

It is a popular vegetable in many Asian cuisines. It is low in calories and high in fiber, making it an excellent choice for those looking to lose weight.  

2. Habitat

It is cultivated largely in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Bihar.

3. Ayurvedic Properties 

1. Rasa (Taste): It has sweet (Madhura) taste.

2. Virya (Potency): It is cooling in nature (Sheeta).

3. Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): It is sweet (Madhura).

4. Types 

Pusa Navin: This is a popular variety of ash gourd known for its large size and elongated shape. It has a pale green to white skin and is commonly used in culinary preparations.

Pusa Hybrid: Another widely cultivated variety, the Pusa Hybrid ash gourd is known for its uniform shape and size. It has smooth, light green skin and is favored for its tender flesh and mild flavor.

Manipur Local: This is a traditional variety of ash gourd cultivated in the Manipur region of India. It typically has a round to oval shape with a slightly ribbed texture on the skin. The flesh is firm and sweet, making it suitable for both culinary and medicinal uses.

Chinese Ash Gourd: This variety is commonly grown in China and Southeast Asia. It tends to have a cylindrical or barrel-like shape with smooth, waxy skin. Chinese ash gourd is often used in Chinese cuisine for soups, stir-fries, and desserts.

Indian Green Ash Gourd: This variety is prevalent in India and is characterized by its deep green skin and oblong shape. It has a crisp texture and mild flavor, making it suitable for various culinary applications.

5. Health Benefits 

Ash gourd is low in calories and particularly useful for diabetic and obese people. It is a cooling and natural laxative; this herb increases the secretion and discharge of urine. It promotes libido and is useful in periodic attacks of hysteria and convulsions. Ash gourd is rich in iron, which helps in the production of hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an important component of blood that carries oxygen to all your cells and tissues. 

Here are some health Benefits of Ash Gourd

Bleeding

Ash gourd is a blood coagulant, from ancient times, its fresh juice mixed with a tsp of amla or lime is used as a specific medicine to stop profuse bleeding from the lungs and nose, and also in piles and haematuria characterized by the presence of blood cells in the urine.

Dandruff

The peel and seeds of ash gourd boiled in coconut oil are useful in hair growth and prevent dandruff and dryness of the scalp.

General Debility

A delicious sweet prepared from the fruit's pulp by boiling its pieces in water and adding sugar syrup is used as a medicine to increase weight, treat tuberculosis, weakness of the heart, heat in the body, the thinness of semen, and anemia.

Intestinal Worms

Shelled seeds of ash gourd are anabolic- promote tissue growth – especially when taken with coconut milk. They expel tapeworms and other worms from the intestine.

Peptic Ulcers

Diluted juice of ash gourd is beneficial in treating peptic ulcers, fresh juice of grated ash gourd mixed with an equal quantity of water taken daily on an empty stomach is the recommended remedy. However, no food must be consumed for 2 to 3 hours afterward. This juice also relieves inflammation in the alimentary canal.

Other Uses

Detoxifying Effects: Due to its diuretic action ash gourd increases the output of urine and washes out waste products from the body. The unripe fruit, young leaves, and buds are cooked as vegetables. The ripe fruit is largely used for making sweetmeat.