Benincasa hispida

Benincasa hispida
Family:Benincasa hispida; Anthelmintic; Antiperiodic; Aphrodisiac; Cancer; Demulcent; Diuretic; Expectorant; Febrifuge; Laxative; Salve; Tonic; VD.
Common name:Wax gourd
The wax gourd has been used as a food and medicine for thousands of years in the Orient. All parts of the fruit are used medicinally. The rind of the fruit is diuretic. It is taken internally in the treatment of urinary dysfunction summer fevers etc. The ashes of the rind are applied to painful wounds]. The seed is anthelmintic anti-inflammatory demulcent diuretic expectorant febrifuge laxative and tonic. A decoction is used internally in the treatment of vaginal discharges and coughs. In combination with Rheum palmatum it is used to treat intestinal abscesses. In Ayurvedic medicine the seed is used in the treatment of coughs fevers excessive thirst and to expel tapeworms. The oil from the seed is also used as an anthelmintic. The fruit is antiperiodic aphrodisiac diuretic laxative and tonic. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine in the treatment of epilepsy lung diseases asthma coughs etc. The fruit juice is used in the treatment of insanity epilepsy and other nervous diseases. Recent research has shown that the fruits contain anti-cancer terpenes. An infusion of the root is used in the treatment of gonorrhoea. Demulcent salve. Facilitates pus drainage.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 01:39 []