Ash Gourd

कूष्माण्डम्

Kushmanda (ash gourd/white pumpkin) preparations including the sweet Petha are described. They are sweet, light, cold in potency, intellect-promoting, cardiotonic, and diuretic. They help in calming Pitta dosha and are beneficial in urinary disorders.

What is Kushmanda Preparation (Petha / कूष्माण्ड)?

Kushmanda (ash gourd/white pumpkin) preparations including the sweet Petha are described. They are sweet, light, cold in potency, intellect-promoting, cardiotonic, and diuretic. They help in calming Pitta dosha and are beneficial in urinary disorders.

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 11

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Medhya (intellect-promoting)
  • Hridya (cardiotonic)
  • Mutrala (diuretic)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 11

References in Sharangadhara Samhita

Now the Shurana Avaleha (Khandashurna Avaleha) for hemorrhoids (Arsha): A wise physician should cook Shurana (elephant yam — Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) following the same method as the Kushmanda preparation.

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

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

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