The Ash gourd holds a significant place in Indian culture and traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda. Its association with sacred rituals during Navratri highlights its revered status in Hindu mythology and religious practices.
It is apparent that ash gourd is very ancient and mentioned in puranas and many ayurvedic text like Charak Samhita (most important work in Ayurveda) written by Bagbhatt around 7000 AD.
Though a detailed description is found in many ancient texts from India, there is also a finding that it was probably originated in Malaysia and its seeds have also been found in Kana archaeological site in Papua, New Guinea, where some of the world’s staple food plants were first cultivated about 7000 years ago.
Ash gourd: a brain food, tonic and aphrodisiac:
Loaded with 96% water, this white gourd is an excellent source of Thiamine (Vit B), Niacin (Vit B3) and Vit.C. It also contains good amounts of calcium and potassium. Despite being packed with so many minerals it has zero calories, making it nutritionists’ first choice. This white pumpkin is also used to treat nervous disorders and mental illness.
Since it is alkaline in nature and has a cooling effect on the body, it is widely used for digestive ailments, respiratory disorders like asthma, treating blood related diseases and kidney stone.
It is not just the flesh of the white pumpkin that has such medicine properties. The leaves are rubbed on bruises, the ash obtained from burning the rind is applied to ease the discomfort of painful swellings and the seeds used for expelling intestinal worms.
The Ash made from burning the seeds and the peel is mixed with coconut oil and used to promote hair growth and as a treatment for dandruff. The protective wax coating on its skin is even used to make candles.
Ash guard is one of the largest members of the gourd family known to grow to weight of 35 kilograms.
In India the ash gourd pieces dipped in sugar syrup is eaten by many in Northern India called as Petha.
