Description and Composition
Snake gourd is a climbing herb with tendrils divided into three parts. It has hairy, angular or 5 to 7 lobed leaves which emit a foetid odour when bruised. It has white male and female flowers and cylindrical, slender, tapering fruits with a waxy surface. Its fruits are orange in colour when ripe, and pulpy red at maturity.
An analysis of snake gourd shows it to consist of substantial amount of moisture and little protein, fat, fibre and carbohydrate. Its mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, substantial amount of carotene, little thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Its calorific value is 18.
Healing Power and Curative Properties
The plant is a cardiac tonic and antifebrile, that is, counteracts feverishness. It is useful in restoring the disordered processes of nutrition. It creates a cooling effect in the body. Being a low-calorie food, diabetics can safely include it to reduce weight while getting enough nutrition. Its leaves are used in
indigenous medicine in India.
Heart Disorders
The juice of the fresh leaves is useful in
heart disorders like palpitation and pain in the heart on physical exertion. It should be taken in doses of 1 to 2 tablespoons thrice daily.
Jaundice
Infusion of the leaves is beneficial in the treatment of jaundice, if given in 30 to 60 gram doses with a decoction of coriander seeds thrice daily.
Fevers
A decoction of snake gourd is useful in bilious
fevers
, as a febrifuge or thirst reliever and laxative. Its efficacy increases provided it is given with chiratta and honey. In obstinate cases of
fevers
, a combined infusion of this plant and coriander is more beneficial. About 30 grams of each should be infused in . water overnight The strained liquid should be given in two doses the next day. A decoction of the leaves with the addition of coriander is also useful in bilious
fever
. The leaf juice is used to induce vomiting. The latter is also applied locally as a liniment in cases of liver congestion. In remittent fevers, it is applied over the whole body.
Alopecia
The leaf juice is beneficial in the treatment of alopecia, a disease of the scalp resulting in complete or partial baldness.
Precaution: The ripe fruit and its seeds are laxative and may cause
indigestion, and should not be consumed as food.
Other Uses
Purgative: Its root serves as purgative and tonic. Whereas its juice is a strong purgative, an infusion of the dried fruit is a mild purgative. It also aids digestion. Its leaves are useful as an emetic and purgative in children suffering from
constipation. A teaspoon of the fresh juice can be given early in the morning for the ailing children.
The immature fruits can be boiled and eaten as a vegetable.