NATURAL REMEDIES OF ASTHMA

Luffa cylindrica

NATURAL REMEDIES OF ASTHMA. Luffa cylindrica resembles a cucumber. Young fruit can be eaten as a vegetable, while the ripe fruit can be used to make sponges. They can also be grown as an ornamental. It is native to northern Africa, but now in many tropical and subtropical. The ripe fruits and seeds are strong laxative and emetic.The stewed leaves would be depurative and the juice of the pounded leaves is an emmenagogue. The young leaves of luffa cylindrica are used in mixtures with substances of other plants against asthma. Reported constituents are a bitter principle, saponanin, mucilage,xylan,mannan,galactan,lignin, fat and protein. In pharmacological test of saponin on dogs, increased urination, dilation of the pupils of the eye, and slightly decreadsed rectal temperature, are found. The laxative substance of luffa cylindrica is the bitter principle, luffeine.

Luffa cylindrica/Towel or Sponge Gourd is a climbing-plants with upleasant odour. The sekeleton of the old fruits are sold as sponge, hence its name. Stem 2-10 m long, large and leaves 5-7 lobed, up to 25-27 cm large, yellow quintuple, male and female flowers. Fruits cylindrical, beaked, 10-50 cm long, 5-10 cm in diameter, ripe fruits consisting of an internal network of fibres, each having 3 orifices at the top.

Luffa cylindrica/Towel or Sponge Gourd probably native in Java, China also in Ambon.

Latin : Luffa cylindrica/Luffa aegyptica/ Luffa pentandra
Indonesian : Blustru/Oyong/Bestru/Ceme
English :Towel or Sponge Gourd

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