Ridge Gourd

Plants are wonderful living beings on earth which shows the feelings in many different ways. When it longs for water, the leaves and branches will lose its sheen and bend downward. The entire plant will look extremely dull when it is not properly nurtured. But it will shine with great energy and beauty when it is maintained with sufficient water and other manures. This topic will deal with a plant named Ridge Gourd which comes under the kingdom plantae and the family cucurbitaceae. The botanical name of this plant is Luffa acutangula which is commercially grown for its fruits.

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Ridge Gourd For Consumption

The fruits are consumed as vegetables by the people all over the world. The other common names of this plant are angled luffa, Chinese okra, dish cloth gourd, ridged gourd, sponge gourd, vegetable gourd, strainer vine, ribbed loofah, silky gourd, ridged gourd, silk gourd, and sinkwa towelsponge. This ridge gourd is used in India lavishly and plays an important part in Indian cuisines. Mainly South Indians consume this vegetable every day.

Origin And Its Growth

Uses Of Ridge Gourd

The native place of this plant is India and is now grown in many parts of the world. These plants are planted in spring seasons grown up and across a head-high trellis. The fruits can be harvested easily since the gourds hang below the foliage. The single-vines will produce up to 25 large fruits which can be handpicked easily.

Properties

The male and female organs are found on the same plant. This tropical running vine plant has yellow flowers and rounded leaves. Pollination is done by bees. The leaves are covered with short hairs and the fruits are ribbed. The length of the fruit is 1-2 ft. The young fruit is used as a cooked vegetable. But the farmers also grow for the fibrous interiors.

Nutritional Value

This plant contains calcium, phosphorous, iron and other micronutrients.
The leaves of this plant are lots of nutrients, minerals, vitamins, antioxidant, anti microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.
The fibrous netting is an excellent sponge but they are also used in water filters.
The leaves are used for curing amenorrhea and hemorrhoids.

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Calcium, Ca	20 mg	2 %
Copper, Cu	0.04 mg	1.75 %
Iron, Fe	0.36 mg	2 %
Magnesium, Mg	14 mg	3.5 %
Manganese, Mn	0.09 mg	4.6 %
Phosphorus, P	32 mg	3.2 %
Potassium, K	139 mg	3.97 %
Selenium, Se	0.2 mcg	0.29 %
Sodium, Na	3 mg	0.12 %
Zinc, Zn	0.07 mg	0.47 %
Vitamin A	410 IU	8.2 %
Vitamin C	12 mg	20 %
Vitamin B6	0.04 mg	2.15 %
Vitamin E	0.1 mg	0.33 %
Vitamin K	0.7 mcg	0.87 %
Riboflavin	0.06 mg	3.53 %
Thiamin	0.05 mg	3.33 %
Folate, DFE	7 mcg	1.75 %
Niacin	0.4 mg	2 %
Sugars	2.02 g
Fiber	1.1 g	4.4 %
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Water	93.85 g
Carotene, alpha	~
Carotene, beta	~
Choline	~
Lycopene	~

For Treatment

Juice of the fresh leaves is used for the treatment of conjunctivitis in children.
The leaves are also used to prevent the lids from adhering at night from excessive meibomian secretion.
Juice of leaves are also used externally for sores and various animal bites.
Pulp of the fruit is used internally, like calocynth, to cause vomiting and purging.
Powdered dried is used for patients afflicted with jaundice.
Seed oil is used for dermatitis.
The roots are used as a purge.
The infused seeds are used as purgative and emetic, dropsy and as laxative.
The leaf decoction is used for uremia and amenorrhea.
The pounded leaves are used for hemorrhoids, splenitis and leprosy.
The leaf extract of ridged gourd is applied to sores caused by guinea worms.
The fruits and seeds are used in herbal preparations for treatment of venereal diseases.
The seeds are eaten to expel intestinal worms.
This plant is classified as herb since it has lots of medicinal properties.