Bottle gourd, also known as ‘Ghiya’ or ‘Dudhi’ in Hindi, is one of the simplest and most nutritious vegetables in the Indian kitchen. Although many tease it for its taste, this vegetable is considered extremely beneficial for health. In Ayurveda, bottle gourd has been given the status of a medicine and is considered a vegetable that cools the body, is easy to digest, and cures many diseases. Famous Ayurvedaacharya Acharya Ramakrishna has also described the numerous benefits of bottle gourd in detail. Let's know about the nutrients of bottle gourd, the health benefits of consuming it, and how it can control various diseases.
Bottle Gourd: A Nutritious and Medicinal Vegetable
Bottle gourd contains good amounts of vitamins A, B, C, and E, which strengthen the body's immune system. Apart from this, it also contains minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, folic acid, copper, and selenium. Bottle gourd also contains calcium and phosphorus, which strengthen bones. Its effect is cooling, which helps in cooling the body during the summer season.
Which diseases are controlled by eating bottle gourd?
1. Digestive System Problems (Gas, Acidity, and Constipation)
According to Acharya Ramakrishna, the consumption of bottle gourd is extremely beneficial for the stomach. Bottle gourd is high in fiber, which helps in relieving constipation. Also, it reduces acidity and indigestion in the stomach. If you are struggling with stomach problems, then drinking bottle gourd juice or eating bottle gourd vegetable daily can strengthen your digestive system.
2. Heart Diseases
Bottle gourd is very beneficial for improving heart health. The potassium and flavonoids present in it strengthen the heart and control blood pressure. Drinking 100-150 ml of bottle gourd juice daily reduces the risk of heart diseases.
3. Diabetes Control
Bottle gourd can prove to be a boon for sugar patients. Bottle gourd juice and vegetable help in balancing blood sugar levels. In Ayurveda also, bottle gourd is considered useful in the treatment of diabetes.
4. Helpful in Reducing Obesity
Bottle gourd is low in calories and high in water and fiber, which is helpful in weight loss. It controls appetite and makes you feel full for a longer period. Therefore, including bottle gourd in the diet is extremely beneficial for weight loss.
5. High Blood Pressure (BP) Control
Bottle gourd contains potassium, which controls blood pressure. Also, the protein called thromboxane present in it thins the blood, which improves blood circulation. Therefore, BP patients should consume bottle gourd regularly.
6. Relief in the Problem of White Discharge (Leukorrhea)
White discharge is a common problem in women, which causes weakness and ill health. Consumption of bottle gourd helps in reducing this problem, as it cleanses the body and prevents infection.
Right Variety of Bottle Gourd and Ways to Consume It
Mainly two types of bottle gourd are found in India – round-shaped ‘Narendra Madhuri’ and long-shaped ‘Shivani Madhuri’. Both are full of nutrition, but round bottle gourd is more preferred in terms of taste.
Drinking bottle gourd juice in summer cools the body and keeps the digestive system healthy. In winter, it is beneficial to make bottle gourd soup and consume it hot. You can also get its full benefits by making bottle gourd vegetable.
Benefits of Bottle Gourd According to Acharya Ramakrishna
According to Acharya Ramakrishna, bottle gourd is not just a vegetable but a medicine that protects the body from many types of diseases. He has told that regular consumption of bottle gourd can eradicate many diseases from the root, especially when it is eaten in the right quantity and regularly. He has advised to consume bottle gourd juice, soup, and vegetable all three so that the body can get the benefits of all its properties.
Bottle gourd is a natural medicine, which is a treatment for many diseases from an Ayurvedic point of view. It not only cools our body but also helps in improving digestion, protecting against heart diseases, reducing obesity, and controlling blood sugar. These health benefits of bottle gourd, as told by Ayurvedaacharya Acharya Ramakrishna, inspire everyone to include it in their diet. Therefore, to improve your health, definitely include bottle gourd in your plate daily and feel its miraculous benefits.
