Botanical Name: Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Introduction:
Cucurbitaceae (Lat. cucurbita = a gourd - ornamental and edible gourds (big fruit) etc.
Latin name : Lagenaria = bottle like; siceraria = intoxicating.
Scientific classification: Gourds constitute the family Cucurbitaceae in the order Violales. The bottle gourd, or calabash, is classified asLagernaria siceraria. Winter squashes are classified in the genusCucurbita. The cucumber is classified as Cucumis sativus, the cantaloupe as Cucumis melo.
Names in different Indian languages
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English |
Bitter Bottle-Gourd. |
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Hindi |
Titalauki, kadvilauki |
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Kannada |
Kadusore |
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Malayalam |
Pechura, kattuchura, kaippan chura |
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Sanskrit |
Katu-tumbi |
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Tamil |
Suraikai |
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Telugu |
sorakkaya |
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Unani |
Kaddu-e-talkh |
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Folk |
Synonyms
Katu-tumbi, Tumbini, Ikshavaaku. Tiktaalaavu, Pindaphalaa
Lagenaria vulgaris Ser.
Lagenaria leucanth Rusby.
Cucurbita siceraria Mol
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
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Charaka |
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Susrutha |
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Vagbhata |
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Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Morphology
Long creeper.
Leaves - having diameter of 15 cms. and pentagonal.
Flowers – white, unisexual, flower stalk -15 cms.
Distribution & Habitat
Throughout India
Chemical constituents:
Cucurbitacin B,D,G and H
Properties:
RASA-tikata
GUNA-laghu
VIRYA- sheeta
VIPAKA-katu
Karma -
Sodani, kaphagni, kasaghna, hridya vrishyam, grahi, mutra sodanam, deepana
( hridya by Bha. Pra, but Ahridya by Kai. Ni )
anodyne, expectorant, arminative, digestive, astingent,cooling, diuretic
Srotogamitva:
Dosha : Pittaghna. kaphaghna.
Dhatu :Rasa, rakta (cough, asthma).
Mala : Aarnashayagata kapha.
Organ : Stomach,
Indication:
Kasa, svasa, visha, sopha, vrana, daha, jwara
Ulcers, wounds, fever, skin disease, cough, piles, leucorrhoea, mouth ulcers, Eczema, T.B, tumour, pruritus, diabetes
Part used:
Whole plant
Dosage:
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
Uses : Its juice is used as a nasya in jaundice and headache due to kapha dosha Its oil is useful for shodhan therapy in inflammation, lymphadenitis. wound and dermatoses, cough, asthma, vomiting,
lever, syncope, blood disorders.
Descriptions on Ayurveda books / Nighandu:
