Uses and remedies from the bottle gourd plant

Besides being used as a daily vegetable, the bottle gourd plant is also a medicinal herb that supports health. So, what are the health benefits of the bottle gourd plant?

What is the bottle gourd plant?

The plant known scientifically as Gynura procumbens belongs to the Asteraceae family. This plant is also known as Kim That Tai, Rau Lui, or Thien Hac Dia Hong.

This plant typically grows creeping along the ground, with a soft stem, dark green leaves, and a slightly slimy texture when eaten. The plant has a cooling effect and a slightly sour taste, helping to reduce heat and aid in detoxification. Therefore, in many places, people use the young shoots to make soup or eat them raw.

The health benefits of the bottle gourd plant.

According to an article in the Health & Life newspaper, the bottle gourd plant has a spicy, sweet, slightly bitter taste, a mild aroma, and a neutral nature. It is used as an herbal remedy to help clear heat, detoxify, and improve many health problems. This plant also has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, blood-activating, sedative, and cough-relieving effects.

Additionally, the plant commonly known as "bau dat" (literally "earthworm") is often used to support the treatment of respiratory illnesses such as sore throat, chronic bronchitis, coughs (including whooping cough and tuberculosis). This herb is also used in cases of bone and joint pain, rheumatism, sprains, and injuries causing swelling and pain due to its natural anti-inflammatory, blood-clot dispersing, and pain-relieving properties.

Furthermore, the bottle gourd plant is used by many to help improve digestive problems such as colitis, stomach ulcers, and constipation, while also helping to regulate blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and support menstrual regulation in women. Some folk remedies also use bottle gourd to stop bleeding, relieve headaches and dizziness, promote relaxation, and detoxify the body.

The bottle gourd plant is also used topically to help treat boils, breast swelling, itching, ulcers, or damaged skin areas due to its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. However, remedies from the bottle gourd plant are primarily supportive treatments; users should consult a doctor or traditional medicine expert before use to ensure safety and suitability for their health condition.

The bottle gourd plant has a spicy, sweet, slightly bitter taste, a mild aroma, and is neutral in nature; it is used as a medicinal herb.

8 remedies from the bottle gourd plant

Below are some ways to use the bottle gourd plant to support health, as shared by Dr. Vu Duy Thanh in the Health & Life newspaper.

Supports the treatment of bedwetting, urinary incontinence, and painful urination.

Use about 80 grams of ground ivy with 700ml of water and simmer until only about 200ml remains. Divide the decoction into two doses to be taken daily. Note that it should be taken at noon and avoided in the evening.

Support for diabetes treatment

Chew and swallow 7-9 purslane leaves twice daily, in the morning and evening, to help regulate blood sugar levels.

For dry coughs, windy coughs, coughs with phlegm, or sore throats: Chew a few bottle gourd leaves and hold the juice in your mouth before swallowing.

Supports treatment of chronic bronchitis.

Stir-frying, boiling, or making soup with bottle gourd should be included regularly in your daily diet.

Improve bruises and contusions

Prepare a handful of dried gourd and crush it together with a little black pepper, then apply it to the injured area. Change the gourd compress frequently and use it for about 3 days.

Supports the treatment of leukorrhea and vaginal discharge.

Prepare all the ingredients including 20 grams of ground ivy, 15 grams of prickly pear, 15 grams of golden star-shaped thorn root, 12 grams of honeysuckle flower, and 16 grams of licorice root. After decocting all the herbs, divide into 2-3 doses to drink throughout the day.

Treating bedwetting in children

Regularly cooking soup with bottle gourd leaves for children to eat can be very effective in helping to treat bedwetting.

Helps improve constipation and dysentery.

Take a handful of crushed or blended purslane leaves and mix with 100ml of cooled boiled water. Divide into two portions and drink one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Continue this treatment for about 5-6 days.

Insomnia

People suffering from insomnia should regularly include fresh purslane in their daily diet because this vegetable helps regulate blood circulation and has a calming effect.

Gourd is used as an everyday vegetable in many ways.

How to incorporate bottle gourd into your daily meals.

Eating raw: Young bottle gourd leaves can be used as a raw vegetable to accompany salads, appetizers, or wraps. They need to be thoroughly washed before use.

Cooking soup: Groundnut leaves are often cooked with minced meat, shrimp, or fish, creating a refreshing and easy-to-eat soup. They should only be cooked until just tender to retain their flavor and nutrients.

Sautéed with garlic: Quickly sauté the chayote squash with garlic over high heat to retain its green color and crispness. It can be combined with beef or chicken to enhance the flavor.

Boiled: Simply boil the bottle gourd leaves and serve with fish sauce or other dipping sauces according to your preference.

Notes on using bottle gourd plants

The bottle gourd is a familiar plant in folk medicine and is used by many to support health care. However, when using the bottle gourd, it is important to use it correctly to ensure safety.

People with a cold constitution, those prone to diarrhea, or those with low blood pressure should not consume too much of this vegetable because it has cooling properties. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or those undergoing medical treatment should consult a doctor before using it regularly.

Additionally, since the ground cover of the bottle gourd grows close to the ground, it needs to be thoroughly washed and soaked in diluted salt water before processing to reduce bacteria and parasites. Traditional remedies using bottle gourd are primarily supportive and should not be used as a substitute for prescribed medication.

The bottle gourd plant is a type of plant that can be used as a daily vegetable and is also a very good herbal remedy for health. However, it should be used correctly and appropriately, and medical professionals should be consulted if used regularly or to support the treatment of diseases.

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/tac-dung-va-bai-thuoc-tu-cay-bau-dat-ar1020740.html