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The bowl gourd is the name given to a type of fruit common in tropical regions, especially in the South. This fruit may be unfamiliar to many, yet it's widely known in medicinal remedies. So, what are the health benefits of the bowl gourd? Let's explore in detail through the following article!
Characteristics of the bowl gourd?
The bowl gourd, also known as custard apple or sugar apple; scientifically named Annona reticulata L. The bowl gourd has alternate leaves, oblong in shape, about 12cm long and 4cm wide. The upper surface of the leaf is smooth and shiny, while the lower surface and petiole are hairy.
The blossoms of the bowl gourd are yellow. From May to June is the time when the plant blooms, and it develops into fruit from July to August. The bowl gourd fruit is heart-shaped, turning yellow when ripe.
The bowl gourd fruit is heart-shaped, growing in pairs, turning yellow when ripe (Source: Internet)Uses of the bowl gourd fruit
The bowl gourd serves various purposes in both traditional and modern medicine:
What are the traditional medicinal uses of the bowl gourd?
- According to traditional medicine research, the bowl gourd plant has a bitter taste and toxicity. Therefore, the bowl gourd fruit, stem bark, and seeds all have antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-diarrheal, anti-parasitic properties, as well as treating diabetes, cooling the body, and regulating the digestive system,…
- The seeds and leaves of this fruit can be crushed, boiled to kill insects, fleas. Burnt seeds mixed with coconut oil can be used as a topical ointment to treat scabies, relieve itching.
- Seeds, stems, and roots are often used to treat diarrhea, support improving bone and joint health, and treat tuberculosis. Researchers also note that the stem bark of the bowl gourd plant is less effective and less toxic than the seeds.
The bowl gourd fruit, stem bark, and seeds all have antibacterial properties, expel intestinal worms (Source: Internet)Modern medicinal uses
- In modern medicine, the bowl gourd fruit has antibacterial effects, inhibits the growth of Trichophyton Mentagrophytes and Candida Albicans, prevents enterotoxigenic and respiratory infectious bacteria.
- Effects on cells: Extracts from the roots, bark, and seeds of the bowl gourd plant can prevent excessive Lymphocyte proliferation, prevent the development of lung cancer cells,…
- The seeds of the bowl gourd fruit have insecticidal effects, kill insects, fleas, and scabies.
The bowl gourd helps prevent excessive Lymphocyte proliferation, prevents cancer cell formation (Source: Internet)Some medicinal recipes from the bowl gourd
Bowl gourd fruit treats itching and skin rashes
Prepare a bundle of dried coconut leaves and some fresh bowl gourd branches. Wash the ingredients thoroughly and let them dry. Then, light the coconut leaves to create smoke, place the bowl gourd branches on top to generate smoke and apply the smoke to the itchy areas, rashes until your body sweats, then dry yourself off.
Bowl gourd is effective in treating itching, rashes (Source: Internet)Bowl gourd aids in treating tuberculosis
Infuse 20g of bowl gourd stem bark thinly sliced, dried with 1.2 liters of water to drink throughout the day.
Diabetes prevention
Use green bowl gourd, remove seeds, slice thinly, and dry. Use 6g of dried fruit each time to boil water for drinking throughout the day. This method helps stabilize blood sugar levels for diabetes patients.
Treating joint pain
Crush fresh bowl gourd, pass over hot flames and apply to the painful areas. If the pain is in the back, you can place a heated bowl gourd on your back. This method will effectively alleviate muscle and joint pain.
Bowl gourd treats joint pain (Source: Internet)Treating goiter
Roast fresh bowl gourd until the peel chars, then let it cool before rolling it onto the goiter. Use 2-3 fruits, roll 3 times a day, each time for 30 minutes until the goiter completely dissolves.
Treating diarrhea, intestinal worms, dysentery
Slice and dry green bowl gourd fruits, then brew them into a drink. Use approximately 12g each time to effectively treat diarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal worms.
Some medicinal recipes from the bowl gourd are widely used by many to treat diarrhea, intestinal worms (Source: Internet)Considerations when using bowl gourd fruit
To ensure safety and prevent any health risks, please note the following after using bowl gourd fruit:
- Bowl gourd has toxic properties, so you need to be extremely cautious when using it. When preparing this type of fruit, avoid direct contact with the skin, especially the eyes, as the sap can cause irritation.
- Consult your doctor before using bowl gourd for the best health benefits.
- Bowl gourd fruit needs time to take effect, so you need to be patient when using it.
- The cold nature of bowl gourd is not suitable for those with weak spleen. Additionally, bowl gourd is incompatible with dragon fruit, so you should not combine these two fruits to avoid health risks.
Bowl gourd has toxic properties, so you need to be extremely cautious when using it (Source: Internet)Bowl gourd is a fruit widely used in medicinal remedies. However, this type of fruit only plays a supportive role in treating the above-mentioned diseases. Consult your doctor before using bowl gourd for optimal effectiveness. Also, to stay updated with more knowledge, don't forget to visit the Mytour homepage every day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Bowl gourd seeds can treat diarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal worms, but they contain toxins, so they should only be used externally. Dried bowl gourd seeds, ground into powder, can be boiled in water to make a solution for treating fleas and ticks.
Roasted bowl gourd treats itching, rashes, prevents tuberculosis, joint pain; treats diabetes.
