The Ayurveda Experience May 16, 2018 1 Comment
Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria, Cucurbitaceae), popularly known as bottle gourd, calabash, lauki or ghiya, is a climbing plant which bears hard-shelled, bottle-shaped gourds as fruits. Bottle gourd (lauki) benefits are numerous. The fruit is composed of all essential constituents required for good health and quality human life. It is rich in vitamins, iron, and minerals.
Bookmark this post. After reading about lauki benefits, you’ll want to enjoy and drink up these bottle gourd recipes as soon as you can. Here’s a quick rundown of what we’ll cover in this article.
According to one study, bottle gourd has many health benefits.1
Bottle gourd is referred to at various places in the Ayurvedic classical text Charaka Samhita. It has various names including ikshavaku, lamba, katukalabu, and tumbi.
It is indicated in cough, shwasa (dyspnea or asthma), visha (toxins), chhardi (vomiting), jwara (fever) and pratamyata (blackouts).
The most potent and useful parts of the plant are the leaves (collected before flowering), fruits and seeds. It is well known for its hridya (cardio-protective) and vishahara (anti-poisonous) properties.2
Ayurvedic master Atreya concluded that bottle gourd is useful for the treatment of Prameha or urinary diseases including diabetes.3
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Lauki or calabash is mostly available in tropical countries however you can purchase lauki from Indian grocery stores. It is best to make soup with it. You can also slice it and stir fry it.
If you have experience with Indian cooking, you can use it in a light curry, raita, pickle or kofta (vegetable balls). It can also be used as a dessert such as halwa or kheer, an Indian milk-based pudding. Keep scrolling for bottle gourd recipes.
Kapha individuals when juicing lauki can add parsley, cilantro or celery (for kidney cleanse). Add tulsi (Holy Basil) or mint leaves for heart health.
Ginger or turmeric (raw and very small amount) can be added for detoxing as well as digestive and respiratory health. You can also add a fresh pear apple, peach or apricot.
Ingredients
Directions
When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.
References
1. International Research Journal Of Pharmacy, Article Received on: 12/03/2011 Revised on: 28/04/2011 Approved for publication: 09/05/2011 https://irjponline.com/admin/php/uploads/892_pdf.pdf
2. Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Commentator, Late Dr. G.S. Pandey, editor, Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Revised and enlarged edition 2010, Shakavarga, Chaukhamba Bharati Acadamy, Varanasi, pp 682.
3. Ram Karan Sharma and Vaidya Bhagwan Dash, Charaka Samhita, Vol VI, Sidhhisthana, Chap 11, shlok no. 5-6, edition 2nd 2005, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series Office.
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Sumit kumar
June 09, 2021
Very nice