Spiny Gourd – Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Spiny gourds, also known as kantolas, which are hairy and green, are less well-known members of the gourd family. Also, if you fry them up with some onions and tomatoes, they taste fantastic. During the rainy season, kantolas are readily available, and they are delicious when cooked with a mixture of jaggery, grated coconut, red chilli powder, and turmeric.

What are spiny gourds?

Spiny gourd is a nutritious and low-calorie monsoon vegetable. Spiny gourd, spine gourd, bristly balsma pear, prickly carolaho, and teasle gourd are all colloquial names for the vegetable recognised by its scientific name, Momordica dioica.

Flowers from the gourd family, like the Spiny gourd or kantola, are used as a vegetable across the entirety of India and in some parts of South Asia. In various regions of the world, the fruits are prepared with spices or even fried and served alongside meat or seafood.

Taste of spiny gourd:

It shares some flavour characteristics with bitter gourds and melons. After it reaches full maturity, however, it becomes inedible and extremely bitter.

Health benefits of spiny gourd: 

Prevents hypertension and improves cardiovascular health

Juice made from fresh spine gourd fruit is good for those with hypertension. Due to its high antioxidant activity, it aids blood flow and protects against atherosclerosis. Arterial walls are protected and restored thanks to its antilipid peroxidative capabilities.

Protects Against Recurring Illnesses

Viral illnesses like the common cold, flu, and cough thrive in the humid conditions of the monsoon season. Spiny gourd has been endowed by nature with the strength to avert such illnesses. Don't be shy about digging in.

Increases Resistance to Disease

Spinach gourd has medicinal uses as an antihistamine, antioxidant, antibiotic, pain reliever, and inflammatory agent. It helps in the immune system's foraging of microorganisms, its ability to remember past encounters, and its killer cell function.

Resolves Skin Disorders and Eczema

The skin can be treated for acne by using the juice of the young fruits. For skin conditions like eczema, try eating the roasted seeds of the ripe fruits.

Safeguards the Liver

Antioxidants and flavonoids found in abundance in spine gourd make it an effective free radical scavenger. Since it inhibits the oxidation of fats, it serves as a primary preventative measure against Fatty Liver. Those who have Fatty Liver or Liver damage almost never need it.

Acne and Skin Care 

Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables has long been known to aid with skin hydration. The Spiny Gourd is 84 percent water by weight. This is, without a question, the best option. Crushing the skin of a Spiny Gourd and applying the juice to a pimple will help as well. It's functioning perfectly.

Treatment and prevention breathing problem

When given through the nasal passages, the powder or infusion of spine gourd fruit has an errhine effect (induces mucus discharge). Ayurvedic practitioners utilise it to alleviate symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis.

Improves  brain function

The plant's fruit helps the central nervous system (CNS) and the brain (Central Nervous System). It is used to alleviate mental illnesses in Ayurvedic medicine.

Beneficial for Diabetes Patients

Spinach gourd can help lower blood sugar levels. It safeguards pancreatic -cells and promotes their regeneration, too. In addition, it enhances insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity, making it a useful tool in the comprehensive management of diabetes. It can be used to treat diabetes by eating it in a stir-fry or juicing it with other greens.

Benefits the Digestive System

The cooling and digestibility of the vegetable make it a great choice. Both the pulp and the seeds have laxative qualities due to their high soluble fibre content. They are helpful for gastrointestinal issues such as stomach ulcers, piles, and constipation. The excessive production of bile juice (biliousness) is treated with this as well.

Manages Weight

As a low-calorie vegetable, spiny gourd is often recommended (fruit). You can start losing weight immediately by incorporating it into your regular diet.

Protects Against Cancer 

Recent studies have shown that the spiny gourd provides protection from cancer due to the presence of important antioxidants. More will be revealed as research progresses.

Culinary Use of Spiny Gourd:

1. Cooked fruit can replace other vegetables in a meal.
2. The young, green, prickly fruits are highly sought after for their use in curries.
3. The seeds produce an oil with a semi-drying effect.
4. Greens are the young shoots and leaves of plants.
5. Vegetables can be made from the tuberous root.