Ash Gourd

Kushmanda (Ash Gourd/Petha) is a large trailing gourd vine. The mature fruits are large, oblong or round, covered with a white waxy bloom — hence the name Ash Gourd. The flesh is white and sweet. It is heavy, nourishing, cooling and highly valued in Ayurveda. It is considered one of the best Medhya (brain tonic) vegetables. It promotes intellect, strength, semen and breast milk production. The Petha sweet is made from this gourd. It is particularly useful in Pitta conditions and raktapitta (bleeding disorders). Kushmanda swarasa (juice) is used medicinally. Verses: 34-36.

• Medhya (intellect promoting)
• Balya (strengthening)
• Shukrala (spermatogenic)
• Stanyajanana (galactagogue)
• Raktapittahara (alleviates bleeding)

85-86 कू मा डत ु बका ल गककाववा ति डशम ् तथा पस ु चीनाक चभटं कफवातकृत ् भे द व ट य भ यि द वाद ुपाकरसं गु Kusmanda (ash gourd), Tumba (alabu), Kalinga, karkaru, evaru, tindisa, trapusa, cinaka, cirbhata—all cause increase of kapha and vata, breaks the hard faeces, stays long without digestion inside the stomach, causes more secretion in the tissues, sweet in taste and at the end of digestion and not easily digestible.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

87 Ash Gourd Benefits व ल फलानां बि तशु वरं कू मा डं वात प तिजत ् ॥८८॥ करं व ृ यं पुसं व तमू लम ् । Ash gourd is best among the creepers, mitigates vata and pitta cleanses the urinary bladder, and aphrodisiac.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

The juice of Kushmandaka (ash gourd — Benincasa hispida) combined with jaggery, when consumed, removes the intoxication caused by contaminated Kodrava (millet — Paspalum scrobiculatum).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

Ash gourd juice is the traditional antidote.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 1: Svarasadikalpana (Svarasa, Kalka, Kvatha, etc.)

8 kg) of Kushmanda (ash gourd — Benincasa hispida), remove the seeds, and cook in two Tulas (approx.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

Vastuka (Chenopodium album) greens, Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), large ash gourd fruit (Benincasa hispida), pointed gourd, warm fresh milk, ghee washed a hundred times (Shatadhauta Ghrita), and clarified butter are beneficial.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 30: Diet for Insanity (Unmada Pathyapathyam)

Pointed gourd, mature ash gourd, Vastuka (Chenopodium album), sweet pomegranate, drumstick (Moringa oleifera), coconut, Parushaka (Grewia asiatica), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) are recommended.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 31: Diet for Epilepsy (Apasmara Pathyapathyam)

Kushmanda (ash gourd) — sweet, cool, nourishing.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 46: Annapana-vidhi Adhyaya - On Food and Drink

Kushmanda (ash gourd) — sweet, cool, nourishing.

— Sushruta Samhita, Annapana-vidhi Adhyaya - On Food and Drink