ASH GOURD
Ash gourd is also known by a variety of common and regional names White gourd Winter Melon Wax gourd (denotes one sub-type of ash gourd) Kushmanda, brihatphala, ghrinavasa, gramyakarkati, karkaru (Sanskrit) Petha, pethakaddu (Hindi) Torobot (Manipuri) Kohla (Marathi) Neer poosanikai (Tamil) Kumbalanga (Malayalam) Boodida Gummadikaaya (Telugu) Budekumbalakayi, boodu gumbala (Kannada) Kumra, chalkumra (Bengali) Komora (Assamese)
Taste and Use
The taste of ash gourd is very mild, like a cucumber. It has virtually no taste of its own, so it is easy to incorporate into all kinds of salads, smoothies, and juices on hot days. On colder days, you can add either honey or black pepper to the melon to reduce the natural cooling qualities in the fruit while retaining its raw energy boost. To retain maximum vital energy, ash gourd should be eaten raw.
Nutrition of Ash Gourd
While ash gourd is composed primarily of water (about 96%), it also boasts a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamine and riboflavin. Ash gourd is also a valuable source of minerals like iron, potassium, zinc, calcium and magnesium. The gourd also provides a good amount of protein, carbohydrates and dietary fiber.
Ash Gourd Benefits
1.Sharpness of Mind: Just drink one glass of ash gourd juice in the morning and you will see tremendous amount of coolness in the body, while at the same time it brings alertness into you. Daily consumption of ash gourd greatly enhances your intellectual capabilities. Especially children must drink ash gourd juice. If you drink it for one week, you will notice a distinct change in the sharpness of your mind. This is very highly pranic. Every day, if you drink a glass of ash gourd juice in the morning, you will see it will do wonders for your intellect. Your intellect will be very sharp and it brings energy without agitation in the system. Daily consumption of ash gourd will do miracles to you.
2. Increased Energy:
Consumption of ash gourd brings an enormous amount of energy, at the same time it keeps your nerves very calm. If you drink coffee, it gives you energy with agitation. If you drink a glass of ash gourd, it gives you enormous amount of energy, and still keeps you calm.
3.Constipation, Piles, Boils:
If you consume a little bit of ash gourd juice, it cools down the system. This is beneficial for people who excess heat in the body, which can produce problems like boils, piles (hemorrhoids) and constipation problems.
4.Cooling Caution:
People who are susceptible to problems such as colds, asthma, and sinusitis should be a little careful with ash gourd because it creates too much sheeta, or coolness, in the system. Such people should always mix it with honey or pepper and drink it, so that the cooling effect is neutralized to some extent.
