(White gourd, Trumpet gourd, Bottle gourd)
Gourd is a warm season crop and grows best in a warm, humid climate. The gourds have been cultivated since time immemorial and they are probably one of the earliest vegetables cultivated by man.
Natural benefits and curative properties:
The cooked vegetable is cooling, diuretic, sedative and anti-bilious. It gives a feeling of relaxation after eating it.
Urinary Disorders:
Gourd is very valuable in urinary disorders. A glassful of fresh juice prepared by grating the whole fruit should be mixed with a teaspoonful of limejuice. It should be given once daily in the treatment of burning sensation in urinary tract due to high acidity of urine. It serves as an alkaline mixture. It should be given with sulpha drugs in the treatment of urinary tract infections. It acts as an alkaline diuretic in this condition.
Excessive Thirst:
The juice of gourd is a valuable medicine for excessive thirst due to severe diarrhea, diabetes, and excessive use of fatty or fried foods. A glassful of plain juice with a pinch of salt should be taken everyday in this condition. Its use during summer prevents excessive loss of sodium, quenches thirst and helps in preventing fatigue.
Insomnia:
The mixture of bottle gourd juice and sesame oil acts as an effective medicine for insomnia. It should be massaged over scalp every night. The cooked leaves of bottle gourd are also beneficial in case of insomnia.
Value per 100 GMS edible portion as food value:
Moisture 96%
Protein 0.3%
Fat 0.1%
Minerals 0.5%
Fiber 0.6%
Carbohydrates 2.5%
1.00%
Minerals and Vitamins:
Calcium 20mg
Phosphorus 10mg
Iron 0.7mg plus small amount of vitamin B-Complex.
Warning:
Care should be exercised especially in case of children not to eat gourd in raw slate, as it may prove harmful for stomach and intestines.
