Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Cucurbitacins, Saponins
- Also Known As
- English: Wild Luffa
Sanskrit: कोशातकी
Hindi: देवदाली
What is Luffa (Devadali variant / देवदाली प्रभेद)?
This is another variety of Devadali (Luffa graveolens) mentioned in the text. It has similar but somewhat milder purgative properties compared to L. echinata. The text notes that this species is less commonly used.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Virechana (purgative)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
He may also be given pradhamana (a type of inhalation therapy in which the recipe in powder form is blown into the nostrils) with katabhi (Albizzia procera), katu (shunti – Zingiber officinale, pippali – Piper longum and maricha – Piper nigrum) and katphala (Luffa cylindrica).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica), tagara (Valeneria wallichii), jaalamalini (Luffa echinata), bitter ikshwaku (Langanaria siceraria) this formulation used as potion, nasal blowing etc alleviates poison of scorpion, rats, spider and snake.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Jimutaka (Luffa echinata) is a tridosha-balancing emetic drug Only fruits and flowers are used therapeutically Rasa: pungent, bitter;
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Ch. 2
Dhamargava (Luffa cylindrica) is an emetic drug with both upward and downward action (ubhayatobhagahara) Rasa: tikta (bitter);
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Ch. 4
Kritavedhana (Luffa acutangula) is the most potent emetic for deep-seated diseases Rasa: tikta (bitter);
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Ch. 6
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा); Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Ch. 2; Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Ch. 4; Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Ch. 6
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
That which expels the accumulated waste from its site, either upward or downward — that is Shodhana (purificatory), like the fruit of Devadali (Luffa echinata).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.)
Chakramarda leaves (Cassia tora), Meshashringi (Gymnema sylvestre), Hilamochika, Koshataki (Luffa acutangula), bamboo shoots, ripe palmyra fruit, and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) are recommended.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 57: Diet for Skin Diseases (Kushtha Pathyapathyam)
Chakramarda leaves (Cassia tora), Meshashringi (Gymnema sylvestre), Hilamochika, Koshataki (Luffa acutangula), bamboo shoots, ripe palmyra fruit, and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) are recommended.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 46: Diet for Skin Diseases (Kushtha Pathyapathyam)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 4: Dipana-Pachana Adikathanam (Digestive Actions etc.); Parishishtam, Chapter 57: Diet for Skin Diseases (Kushtha Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 46: Diet for Skin Diseases (Kushtha Pathyapathyam)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.