Ash Gourd (Green Pumpkin) - 11 Benefits You Never Knew!

The Ash Gourd belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae and Benincasa hispida is its binomial name. It is recognized for its medicinal properties in Ayurveda System of Medicine. It is also commonly known as Wax Gourd, Winter Melon, Green Pumpkin, or Ash Gourd. It is not just the fruit, which is useful, but its seeds and seed oil is equally beneficial in a different condition such as pregnancy, brain health, and skin. Ash gourd is easily available throughout India.

Key Benefits of Ash Gourd or Green Pumpkin

1. Green Pumpkin helps in treating Acid reflux syndrome with help from its active principles such as Terpenes, Flavanoid C, glycosides, and sterols since they have antioxidant effects that help in inhibiting gastric mucosal damage.
2. Ash gourd helps in treating Purpura.
3. Due to its alkaline property, it is used as a diuretic or bladder purifier.
4. Green Pumpkin also acts as an Aphrodisiac i.e. a substance, which increases sexual potency and as an appetizer.
5. Ash gourd is an important ingredient in various Ayurvedic medicines for treating bleeding disorders and helps in improving body weight and is ideal for diabetic patients.
6. Green Pumpkin helps in combating general debility and treats mental disorders by stabilizing nerve cells.
7. Ash gourd often has a bronchodilator effect on patients, through an antihistamine activity (H1 receptor-antagonism).
8. Green Pumpkin also acts as an Antidiarrheal agent and provides relief from constipation.
9. The pulp of Ash Gourd is a rich source of vitamin B and C and is also an excellent remedy for tapeworms.
10. With the help of Ash Gourd, one can also get relief from symptoms of morphine withdrawal.
11. In the case of a burn, the topical application of Ash Gourd pulp is also highly beneficial.

Benefits of Ash Gourd in Ayurvedic Medicines

1. Kushmand Avleha
2. Kushmand Khanda
3. Kushmand Rasayan

How to Ash Gourd (Green Pumpkin) used, across India?

Ash Gourd also used in different dishes all over India, as green pumpkin offer lots of health benefits in pregnancy, for hair and skin health and more:

1. In Northern India, it is used to prepare a candy called “Petha”
2. In South Indian cuisines, it is traditionally used to make a variety of curries.
3. Soup or vegetable dish also can be possible
4. In Southeast Asia winter melon tea or Winter melon punch is famous

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