Medicinal Properties Of Loofa
(Compiled by the Weekly)
All parts of loofa are used as precious herbal medicines
Loofa (Luffa cylindrica), which is called mp hng in Vietnamese, is a tropical vine that has cylindrical, edible fruit if it is harvested before maturity. When matured, it has a fibrous, spongy interior that can be used as a washing sponge, also known as dishcloth gourd.
Loofa is grown throughout the country, especially in rural areas, for fruit. Nowadays, people tend to grow loofa even in urban areas for fruit and shade. In traditional Vietnamese medicine, all parts of loofa have been used to treat many illnesses.
Loofa leaves, either fresh or dried, are considered to be bitter and cold, and are used to detoxify the body, and relieve fever, inflammation, coughing and edema.
To treat pharynx inflammation, wash fresh loofa leaves and squeeze them; add a little water and salt; drink the solution once a day.
To treat coughing, boil 15 grams of fresh loofa leaves and drink the broth during the day, about 0.5 milliliter or a teaspoonful each time.
To cure skin ulcers or itches, squeeze fresh loofa leaves and apply the juice onto the affected areas until the ulcers or itches disappear.
Burn loofa stems (it is better to use the part that is one meter from the ground upward) and grind them; dissolve 10 grams of the powder with a little rice wine and drink it to treat nose cavity inflammation and runny nose.
Simmer 100 grams of unpeeled mung beans to take some 400ml of broth; slice 20 grams of fresh loofa flowers and boil them with the mung bean broth for 5-10 minutes; let the solution cool down and drink it two to three times a day to relieve high fever and headache.
Simmer loofa roots and drink 15-30 grams of the broth during the day to boost the blood circulation and relieve headache, backache, nasal inflammation and coughing. The broth can be applied externally to treat skin ulcers and itches.
Loofa fruit is considered to be sweet, so soups prepared with this young gourd are recommended as a laxative and a pain reliever. The soup prepared with young loofa fruit and pig legs can help boost the blood circulation and is very good for nursing mothers.
Roast 5-10 grams of loofa seeds and boil them; drink the broth to relieve backache. Eat 30 peeled loofa seeds (for children), and 40-50 (for adults), on an empty stomach for two consecutive days to kill intestinal worms.
Loofa sponge is also used to stop bleeding, facilitate urination and relieve spasms. Burn loofa sponge and grind it; mix 4-8 grams of the powder with a little warm water and drink the solution twice a day to treat hemorrhoids and dysentery.