Botanical name : Luffa cylindrica (Linn.) M. Roem.(L. acgypliaca Mill.)
Family : Cucurbitaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Koshataki, Mahakoshataki, Tiktakosataki
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Katu
Guna : Snigdha, Teekshna
Veerya : Ushna
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Sponge gourd. Vegetable sponge, Wash sponge
Hindi   : Khiya tori
Malayalam : Kattupiccil. Puttilpiram, Kattupiram. Perurhpfram
Distribution: Throughout India, wild in waste lands especially along the coastal areas and also cultivated
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
A large succulent tendril climber grows on hedges, and shrubs. Leaves orbicular-reniform, simple, palmately, 5-lobed, scabrous and punctate, glabrous except the pubescent nerves beneath: male flowers in axillary racemes, female flowers solitary, usually from the axils: fruits large, cylindric, or fusiform, smooth. 1 2.5-30 cm long, 10 - ribbed. Seeds black or grey, laterally compressed, narrowly winged.
Parts used: fruits, seeds
Properties and uses: Plant cures vitiated Kapha, pitta, jaundice, infective hepatitis, constipation, skin diseases, splenomegali, piles, bronchitis and tumours. The seeds used in skin diseases. The application of crushed tender fruit in milk through nose (Nasya) cures Jaundice.

Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD