Ash Gourd

A vegetable that is low in calories, fat and carbs, and high in nutrients, fibre and water content that’s ASH GOURD for you. It gets its name from the ash-like waxy coating on its outer skin and grows on creepy vines. The vegetable mostly grows oblong or round. As a result, it has one of the longest shelf lives among vegetables.

It is also called winter melon, petha, rakh lauki, and even petha kaddu.. The petha kaddu indicates its most popular use in Northern India-the famous Agra Petha. It is used  for medicinal benefits in many parts of India and is a common home remedy for many ailments. Even the Chinese use it in their traditional medicines. One glass of ash gourd juice  in the morning is a great detoxifying drink and helps us remain healthy.

Here are some benefits of eating Ash Gourd:

Nature’s Wonder

Ash gourd is highly nutritious and contains many essential minerals such as Manganese, Zinc, Magnesium, Iron, Iodine, Calcium, Copper, and Phosphorous. The Vitamins present in it are A, B6, C & E, while it also contains Ammonia and Potassium. The high water content and fibre with zero cholesterol and very little fat and carbohydrates make it a coveted addition to the diet. It is also rich in two essential antioxidants, namely carotenoids and flavonids. These antioxidants lend a anti-inflammatory properties as well, making it very healthy vegetable to consume.

Good for Digestion

A lot of water and the presence of dietary fibre is good news for digestion, and thus, ash gourd helps improve gut health. It prevents bloating and constipation and eases the digestive process, aiding in better absorption of the nutrients. The soluble fibre contained in it also forms a gel-like  substance in the gut, giving a feeling of fullness. This feeling will stop you from snacking in between meals and help in maintaining the weight. It is an alkaline vegetable that helps neutralise the acidity and cucurbitacins presents, rids free radicals in the intestine.

Improves Heart Health

Ash gourd contains riboflavin which regulates stress hormones, and this is beneficial for overall health. It reduces stress eating, and the feeling-full aspect ensures people eat less and will not become obese. Obesity causes a lot of issues, a major one being heart issues. It contains no cholesterol and helps improve blood circulation as well. Traditional Ayurvedic medicines suggest ash gourd inclusion in the diet to promote blood circulation and treat issues like palpitations.

Good for Lungs

Ash gourd has natural expectorant properties because of which it is used in traditional medicines to treat respiratory diseases. It helps loosen excess phlegm and mucus secretions and also prevents allergic reactions. In addition, it helps improve breathing due to these properties.

Natural Coolant

Since it contains 96% water, it is natural coolant like cucumber and helps keep your body hydrated. This cooling effect makes it a perfect summer food and also keeps your mind sharp.

Heals the Skin

The natural cooling and hydrating properties make it great for your skin. The gel version is used as moisturizer and helps heal skin irritation, especially rashes and sunburn. This aspect also makes it great for dandruff treatment as it helps cool the scalp, while the anti-microbial properties remove the fungi causing dandruff, Vitamin E contained in it also nourishes hair growth and is used as an Ayurvedic remedy for hair fall and even alopecia.

Improves Kidney Functions

The ash gourd improves kidney functions and acts as a detoxifying agent. In addition, its digestive and hydrating properties are helpful in detoxification process to remove accumulated toxins in the body.

Relieves Anxiety

Ash gourd has mild natural sedative properties and helps relieve symptoms of anxiety. It helps your body to relax and unwind and helps you sleep naturally. So it is because ash gourd helps lessen the activity of neurotransmitters, thus promoting calmness and sleep.

Good for Joints

The minerals like Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorous help build bone mass and improve flexibility in joints, keeping them healthy. Also, the anti-inflammatory properties ash gourd help conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis.

Energiser

Vitamin b3 in ash gourd increases the body’s energy levels. In traditional medicines, people suffering from anaemia are advised to consume them. The fact it betters body metabolism also helps in energizing the body.

 

Ash gourd can be consumed raw as juice, raita or salad or used in many varieties of gravies. If you have a sweet tooth, you could also try the halwa or the petha. With so much going for it, and the versatility  in cooking, you could try out different options to consume it.

Waiting for your feedback on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

27^th August 2024