Ash Gourd (Kushmanda / Petha)
Kushmanda
The sweet, cooling ash gourd celebrated as a supreme medhya and pitta-pacifying food-medicine. Used for raktapitta, hyperacidity, urinary disorders and mental disturbances.
reduces Vatareduces Pittaincreases Kapha
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa (taste): sweet
- Virya (energy): cooling
- Vipaka (post-digestive): sweet
- Guna (qualities): heavy, unctuous
Traditionally used for
- hyperacidity and ulcers
- bleeding disorders
- urinary disorders
- mental agitation
Contraindications & cautions
- heavy kapha and obesity
- diabetes (as sweet confection)
Possible interactions
- none well documented
Evidence notes
Traditional cooling food-medicine; antiulcer and antioxidant effects reported in studies.
Regulatory notes
Common food; used therapeutically as juice and in Kushmanda avaleha.
Classical sources
- Bhavaprakasha — Nighantu — Shaka varga
Educational information about Ayurveda — not a medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult a qualified professional before starting any herb, supplement, or therapy.