The ash gourd plant develops into a trailing vine every year. It is referred to by the scientific name Benincasa hispida and belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family (Thunb.). It is renowned for its distinctive fruit, which tastes like melon and has both therapeutic and useful applications. The warm, humid tropical regions of South East Asia, including India, Japan, China, Myanmar, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, and Taiwan, are where ash gourd plants are grown.
know about ash gourd-based methi
Both of the ash gourd fruit’s popular names derive from the glossy sheen and ash colouring of the skin. It is a Winter melon staple that is primarily grown in colder, wetter areas. Ancient medicinal practises included the usage of ash gourd, and an Ayurveda concoction of it—known as “Kushmanda” in Sanskrit—was believed to have healing virtues. The most well-liked dessert, “methi,” is typically produced by soaking ripe ash gourd fruit in sugar syrup. You might be familiar with the names Donggua in Chinese and Beligo in Indonesia, two more names for the ash gourd.
Ash gourd can be utilised as a functional food, according to certain research, as all of its constituents have positive health effects.
3,4 But more thorough research is required to determine how beneficial these are to people in reality.
The following are several applications for ash gourd juice:
Juice from ash gourds contains few calories, sugars, and fats. It’s an excellent option for diabetics due to its high nutrient content. The pulp of the fruit contains substances that suggest it might have anti-diabetic qualities. When combined with honey, the fruit’s dry, powdered peel may aid in lowering blood sugar levels.
According to Majumdar et al. (2010), people with Type 2 diabetes can lower their blood glucose levels by drinking ash gourd juice. To demonstrate the benefits of ash gourd juice for diabetes, more research is necessary. 1,2,
Due to the high water content of ash gourd juice and other potential health advantages, it has been suggested that drinking it can aid in weight loss. Because it has fewer calories and fats than other common beverages, ash gourd juice has been demonstrated to aid in weight loss. Because of its high fibre content and lipid-lowering abilities, ash gourd juice may help reduce serum cholesterol and lipid levels, which will reduce body fat.
A combination of raw, peeled ash gourd fruit and seed powder, about the same volume of water, and a pinch of salt, according to research by Waidyarathna et al. (2023), may help with quick weight loss. 1,2,4 Even so, since there is a lack of sufficient data, more research is necessary.
Ulcers have been treated with the juice from ash gourds.
For those who have stomach ulcers, ash gourd juice might be beneficial (related to the digestive tract and stomach). By combining shredded fruit with water, juice can be created from ash gourds. For patients with peptic ulcers, drinking ash gourd juice on an empty stomach may be beneficial; however, doing so necessitates waiting at least three hours before eating. Ash gourd is suggested for the treatment of stomach ulcers in Ayurveda medicine. 2 Because the available data is outdated and limited, large-scale human investigations are required to substantiate these advantages.
The advantages of ash gourd juice for skin include:
Ash gourd juice is helpful since it has positive effects on the skin. Fruit extract, a common component in facial treatments, may aid in reducing the degeneration of skin cells brought on by ageing. According to Huang et al. (2004), the seeds, pulp, and peel of the fruit all exhibit antioxidant activity, which may be helpful in the fight against free radicals that speed up ageing. Moreover, it might lessen oxidative stress and delay skin cell ageing. 4 The therapeutic effects of ash gourd juice on skin require further study.
There are a number of potential uses for ash gourd juice, including the management of food poisoning. It has the capacity to reduce pain in the genitourinary system, especially sensitive-area pain and dysuria (painful urination). 4
There may be an improvement in a number of cold and flu symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and sinus pressure. It has been believed that eating juice made from ash gourds will assist reduce digestive difficulties like constipation and stomach irritation.
Drinking a glass of ash fruit juice can aid with seizures, sanity, and other mental health difficulties (mental illness).
By balancing the acidity of foods like soft drinks and fried foods, ash gourd may be helpful for maintaining a balanced pH and stomach acid levels.
2 Ash gourd tree fruits are used medicinally as a laxative and diuretic (to treat constipation) (increases urine production).
Fruit pulp and sugar help treat iron deficiency when combined.
Ash gourd juice may provide even greater health benefits when combined with ghee, including possibly improving one’s vocal range and brain clarity.
The oil created by combining coconut oil and seed powder works well for treating headaches, dandruff, and hair loss.
Abstructs
There is evidence that ash gourd juice can be beneficial in a number of situations, but this is insufficient to support its widespread use. To prove the health advantages of ash gourd juice, more research is necessary. As a result, before using ash gourd juice to treat a medical ailment, you should always consult a physician.