BOTTLE GOUARD - The fruit is tonic the liver; cures blood diseases of persons with hot constitution; good for piles; vunerary; anti periodic; cures muscular pain and dry cough.

HEALTH TIPS - FROM HERBS & VEGETABLE (BOTTLE GOURD)

BOTTLE GOURD(Kaddu)(Louki):

Botanical Name :

Lagenaria siceraria Standl,

(Syn. Lagenaria vulgaris Seringe.)

Common Names :

Calebasse, Gourde (Fr.)

Cucurbita (Lat.)

Kadu (Pers.)

Lauki (Hindi, Urdu)

Alabu, tumbi (Sans.)

Bhopla (Mar.)

Lau (Beng.)

Surekai (Tam.)

Anapakai (Mal., Tel.)Aal (Kash.)

Yaqtin, dabba,Qarat (Arab.)

Historical Account :

Archaeological evidence of the presence of Lagenararia siceraria Standl. (Bottle Gourd) was found in the Egyptian  tombs about 3500 years old. These have reportedly been found in Zanzibar and South Africa dated about 2000 B.C. and from kenya about 800 B,C, These have been identified one in ancient times.

Gourd were cut to produce milking pails, bowels, butter churns, plates, ladles and Stoppard bottles. By the time it entered history it was cultivated in most of tropical Africa.

The pre historical introduction of L.siceraria intoIndia is believed to have taken place by oceanic drifts during summer monsoon or they could have been brought in on ancient  ships along with melons, sorghum and other African crops. It is difficult to correctly identify the native range of this crop but it could have originated in both south and east Africa (Sauer, 1993)

Medical Properties :

Sweet Fruit Variety;

The fruit is tonic the liver; cures blood diseases of persons with hot constitution; good for piles; vunerary; anti periodic; cures muscular pain and dry cough.

Rind :

Good for piles. its ash is styptic and vulnerary.

Seeds :

are good for hot constitution.

Bitter Fruit Variety :

Fruit - Very bitter, good in bronchitis.

Seeds - Are emetic.

Root - Reduces inflammation.

Long Fruit Variety :

Fruit - Sweet, anti bilious, diuretic and antipyretic.

Seeds - Cooling, tonic to brain, cure fever, cough, ear ache and scalding of urine; reduces inflammation; diuretic and fattening.

Nutritive Value

Proteins                            : 1.6 gm

Fat                                    : 0.2 gm

Minerals                           : 0,5 gm

Crude Fibre                      : 0.6 gm

Carbohydrates                  : 2.5 gm

Iron                                   : 0.5 gm

Calcium                            :20.0 gm

phosphorus                       :10.0 gm

        

Values are per 100 gms. of edible portion.

Source : NIN Lab. Hyderabad.

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About G A Moinuddin

Ahmed Moinuddin retired from his position as HR Manager in a top Indian Public Sector Organization. He holds Masters in Sciences and has versatile experience in managing people and departments. His passion is to share knowledge from the bucket of experiences he had over these years at personal and professional front.