What is Luffa?
Luffa is a genus of vines native to the tropics and subtropics. It is cylindrical in shape. Its color is yellowish brown. Plants have played an important role since ancient times, when man employed plants as a source of medication or as a drug to treat a numerous disease. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of India’s 6000 medicinal plant species have been chemically and pharmacologically examined for their therapeutic worth. Luffa is also one of them and it is also known as ridge gourd, angled gourd, or angled Luffa. Luffa is basically a sort of fruit. Its taste is bitter. This plant is propagated via seeds, which are seeded in February–March or June–July. Its seeds are blackish in color and are elliptical in shape.
Where they usually found?
Usually growing in subtropical areas of Asia. They are usually found in China, India, Japan, Vietnam, and South Asia.
Nutritional Information
- Vitamin A: 66.14%
- Carbohydrate: 19.64%
- Vitamin B: 17.84%
- Manganese: 17.26%
- Potassium: 17.15%
- Calories: 100 Kcal. /Cup
What are its benefits?
- It is beneficial to reduce the chest pain
- Helpful for sinus issues
- Improve Arthritis
- In skincare products, powdered luffa is used to minimize swelling
- It is useful for hemorrhoids patients
- Prevents muscle pain
- Prevents eye ailments
. How to grow it
- You can grow it anywhere but it needs a lot of time to grow so outdoors are most suitable for its growth
- Grow it in the month of April and May
- Always remember to grow it in a sunny area
- Protect it from high winds,
- Give some support to the plant during its growth period.
How To Include It in Your Diet?
- It is used as a vegetable in curry.
- Luffa Fruit can be used as an ingredient in stir-fried dishes and soups
- Salads could be garnished with the flowers
- Chutneys could be made from the skin of Luffa.