Botanical name: Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.
Family name: Cucurbitaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/260
Vernacular names:
Hindi – Turai, Jhingha
English – Ridge gourd
Tamil – Peerkangai
Telugu – Beerakaya
Marathi – Dodka
Synonyms:
धामार्गवः पीतपुष्पो जालिनी कृतवेधना।
राजकोशातकी चेति तथोक्ता राजिमत्फला
Bhav Prakash – Shaka Varga
Habitat & Distribution:
Widely cultivated across India in tropical and subtropical regions. Grows well in warm climates with adequate moisture and fertile soil. Typically grown as a summer and rainy season crop.
Morphology:
Climbing herbaceous vine with angular stems and tendrils. Leaves are broad and lobed. Fruits are elongated with ridges, tapering at both ends, green in color. Seeds are black and smooth.
Phytochemicals:
Cucurbitacins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, β-sitosterol, triterpenoids, ascorbic acid, polyphenols
Raspanchaka:
Rasa – Madhur
Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
Virya – Ushna
Vipaka – Katu
Prabhava – Virechaka
Dosha shamakta – Kapha- Vata Vardhak
Karma – Rogaghnata:
Virechana, Deepana, Pachan, Kusthaghna, Krimighna, Arshoghna, Shothahara, Jvaraghna
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:
External – Paste of seeds or fruit applied on skin infections, boils, and eruptions
Internal – Used in constipation, skin diseases, piles, fever, edema, anemia, and indigestion
Part used: Fruit
Yoga/Formulations:
Koshataki Churna
Koshataki Ghrita
Koshatakyadi Kashaya
Used in formulations related to skin diseases, constipation, and helminthic infestations
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
Research updates:
- Kumar D, Arya V, Bhat ZA. Anthelmintic activity of Luffa acutangula fruits in vitro. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci.
- Patel PK, Patel MA, Saralai MG. Anti-inflammatory activity of Luffa acutangula seed extract in animal models. Asian J Pharm Clin Res.
- Shirwaikar A, Rajendran K, Barik R. Hypoglycemic activity of ethanolic extract of Luffa acutangula fruit. J Ethnopharmacol.
