It is one of the earliest vegetables cultivated by
man, believed to be originated in Africa. Bottle gourd, not very
familiar to the western world, is one of the favorite vegetables in
Indian Cuisine. It grows in humid weather of India, Sri Lanka and other
tropical countries. Bottle Gourd or Lauki has many properties that are
valued in traditional healing.
Low in Calories and Fat
The bottle gourd is low in fat and cholesterol yet high in dietary fibre.
It contains 96% water and 100gm of it contains around 12 Kcal. It is
rich in iron and also has vitamins C and B complex. It has sodium of
1.8mg per 100gm and 87 mg of potassium making it suitable vegetable for
hypertensive patients. It is excellent for light, low-cal diets, as well
as for small children, people with digestive problems, diabetics and
convalescents.
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Cooling Effect
Its high water content makes it very cooling. The cooked Bottle Gourd is
cooling, calming, diuretic and easy to digest. It is also effective
against constipation and other digestive disorders.
Urinary disorders
Bottle gourd is very valuable in treating urinary disorders. It serves
as an alkaline mixture for treating burning sensation in urinary passage
due to high acidity of urine.A glassful of fresh juice prepared by
grating the whole fruit should be mixed with teaspoonful of lime juice
and included in daily diet.It carries the potential for breaking
calculus (stones) in body.
Balancing Liver Function
This vegetable is very good for balancing liver function. It is often
recommended by ayurvedic physicians when the liver is inflamed and
cannot efficiently process food for maximum nutrition and assimilation.
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Premature Graying Hair
Ayurveda suggests Bottle gourd juice once daily in the early morning for
treating Graying Hair.
Nervous diseases
Mixture of bottle gourd juice a sesame oil acts as an effective medicine
for insomnia. It should be massaged over scalp every night. The juice is
useful in treating insanity, epilepsy & other nervous diseases.
Blood Pressure and Heart Tratments
Recently, Bottle Gourd has attracted a lot of attention due to its
importance in treatment of Blood Pressure and Heart diesease.
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Poisoning
The bitter variety is prescribed as a cardiac tonic, as an antidote to
poisoning and for alleviating bronchitis, cough, asthma and biligenic
affections.
Benefits of Bootle Gourd(lauki) Juice
The Bottle Gourd juice is used in treatment of stomach acidity,
indigestions and ulcers. A glass of lauki juice with a little salt added
to it prevents excessive loss of sodium, quenches thirst & helps in
preventing fatigue. excessive loss of sodium, satiating thirst and
keeping you refreshed in summer. Juice from its leaves is good for
jaundice.
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