Botanical name : Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ex Lam.
Family : Cucurbitaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Peetakushmanda
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Madhura, Kashaya
Guna : Guru, Snigdha
Virya : Seeta
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Pumpkin, Melon, Squash
Hindi : Lalkumra, Kaddu
Malayalam : Mathan
Distribution – Throughout India cultivated.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A large annual creeper trailer with hairy stem and leaves. Leaves simple, alternate, lobate; flowers large yellow, unisexual and solitary. Fruits fleshy pepo, seeds compressed oblong.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta burning sensation, inflammation, abscess, boils and headache. Seed cures urinary retention, and kills intestinal worms. Good for nervine weakness.
Useful part : Fruits, Seeds .
Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD