Pointed Gourd Health Benefits, Usage – Ayurveda Details

Pointed gourd is a very ancient Ayurveda medicinal herb and vegetable. It has been used since the times of Charaka and Sushruta, since 2000 years. It is very beneficial to improve gastric health. Its root, leaf and fruit are used in many Ayurveda medicines. 

Botanical name: Trichosanthes dioica
Trichosanthes cucumerina is also used in the name of Patola.
Family: Cucurbitaceae (kosataki kula)

Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms

Hindi name: Parval
Telugu name: Kommu Potla / Chedu Potla
Bengali name: Patol
Marathi and Gujarathi Name: Paraval
Tamil name: Kambupudalai
Kannada name: Kaadu Padaval, Kadu padavala kayi
Malayalam name: Patolam
It is  a vine plant (creeper).

Sanskrit Synonyms:
Patola, Kulaka,
Karkashacchada – Leaves have rough surface
Rajiphala – Fruits have white stripes on its surface
Kulaka – It is aphrodisiac
Beejagarbha – The hollow part of fruit possess seeds
Pancha Rajiphala, Amrutaphala, Panduphala, Tiktottama, Naga Phala

Classical categorization

Charaka Samhita –
Truptighna – herbs that relieve the feeling of food satiation
Trishna Nigrahana –herbs that relieve excessive thirst
Charaka has mentioned this as one of the herbs used in powder massage, useful in pruritus, acne and urticaria.(Reference: Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 3rd chapter)

Sushruta and Vagbhata:  Patoladi and Aragvadhadi group of herbs.

Medicinal qualities

Rasa (Taste): Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent)
Guna (qualities): Laghu (light to digest), Rooksha (dry)
Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion): Katu (pungent)
Veerya (potency): Ushna (hot)
Effect on Tridosha: Balances Kapha and Pitta.
Pharmacological actions – Leaves are febrifuge, Root is laxative and appetizer, Fruit is laxative, Febrifuge and appetizer

Pointed gourd uses

Varnya – Good for skin, improves complexion:
Avatala – does not cause Vata imbalance.
Vrushya – natural aphrodisiac
Rochana – improves taste, useful in anorexia
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Balances Kapha, does not act against Pitta
Useful in
Kandu – itching sensation
Kushta – skin diseases
Jvara – fever
Daha – burning sensation
Kasa – cough, cold
Asra – purifies blood

Pointed gourd root is Sukha virechaka – causes mild purgative.
Its stalk balances Kapha.
Patola patra – leaves balance Pitta.
Pointed gourd fruit is Tridosha balancing.

According to Bhojana Kutuhalam, The fruit of patola is sweet, alleviates pitta dosha, imparts taste and relieves fever. It is strengthening, nourishing, wholesome for the body, stimulates the digestive fire and promotes digestion.

The leaves of patola alleviates pitta, The stem alleviates kapha, Its fruits alleviates all the three doshas and its root causes purgation.

Part used, Dosage

Parts used: Leaves, fruit and root.  
Dose: Fresh juice: 10 – 20 ml per day.
Decoction: 25 – 50 ml per day, or as advised by an Ayurveda doctor.

Nutrition facts

It is rich in carbohydrates, vitamin A, and C. It  contains trace elements of Potassium, Copper, Magnesium, Sulphur and Chlorine.
Patola is mentioned as one among the vegetables that can be consumed habitually for a long period of time. (Reference: Ashtanga Hrudayam)

Ayurveda medicines

Ayurveda medicines with Patola
Mainly used in medicines that are useful in gastrointestinal and liver disorders.
Patolakaturohinyadi Kashayam – used in jaundice, viral infections, skin diseases. If you find it too bitter, its Kashayam tablet version is also available.
Patolamooladi Kashayam – used in skin diseases, flu, viral infections etc. Its root is used in this medicine.
Patoladi Ghrita – used in fever, flu, skin diseases, ENT disorders etc.
Patoladi Choornam – used in anemia, bloating, gastritis etc.

Pointed gourd for skin diseases

Meat of animals inhabiting arid land (Jangala Mamsa) and preparations of Mudga (green gram) mixed with Patola – Pointed gourd is told as a diet recipe for treating Kushta (skin diseases). Reference: Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 7/82

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Varieties

Swadu patola and Tikta patola

Based on availability – Cultivated and wild

Morphology

Climber with slender branches
Leaves – Ovate oblong, cordate, acute tip
Flowers – Dioecious
Fruits – spherical, smooth, orange red when ripe
Seeds – Compressed

Chemical constituents

Total plant contain meso – inositol, beta sitosterol
Seed oil contains punicic acid, Free fatty acids like oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic and arachidic acid

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External Application – Wound cleanses the wounds and promotes fast healing. Promote hair growth. It has Analgesic action. Root paste is indicated in headache. In wounds and Baldness its leaf juice is beneficial for external application.

Internal administration-
Digestive system – Carminative, Digestive, Improves taste, facilitates movement of doshas in the proper direction, purgative in nature. Indicated in Helminthiasis, Loss of appetite, Anorexia, Excessive thirst, Jaundice and other liver disorders, Acid reflux disorders etc.
Circulatory System – Blood purifier. Indicated in edema, bleeding disorders.
Respiratory system – Pacifies kapha dosha. Indicated in cough
Tvak – indicated in itching associated skin diseases.
Tapakrama – Indicated in fever (jirna jvara and pitta jvara)
Satmikarana – Anti poisonous. Indicated in general debility.