indravaruni :

General Use:

In Indian traditional systems of medicine the fruit pulp of the plant is used as expectorant,

liver tonic, stomachic and purgative. The fruit pulp is useful in leprosy, jaundice, diabetes, bronchitis and amentia

. Fruit pounded and boiled with cow’s milk and applied to the head is supposed to prevent insanity, strengthen the memory and remove vertigo. The drug is also used in snake bite.

Therapeutic Uses:

The green fruits, slightly sour; stomachic; cures “Kapha” and

biliousness; increases “Vata”. The dried fruit is indigestible; astringents to the bowels;

improves taste; cures “Kapha’ and biliousness (Ayurveda).the pulp of the fruits is very

bitter and is a drastic purgative

Systemic Use:

The fruits are used in flatulence, leprosy, fever, jaundice,

diabetes, cough, bronchitis, ascites, anaemia, constipation, other abdominal disorders and amentia.

Administration:

A decoction of the roots is preferred as being milder in

its operation and causing less irritation. The seeds are cooling and astringents, and

useful in bilious disorders

Pharmacological:

fruit pulp is bitter, acrid, thermogenic,

anthelmintic, liver tonic, cardio tonic, appetizer, expectorant and intellect promoting

(Kirtikar and Basu, 1999).

Kotakkal Ayurveda - Mother land of modern ayurveda

indravaruni - Cucumis trigonus Roxb. - Cucurbitaceae