Impressive health benefits of sponge gourd A series of Presentation�By�Mr. Allah Dad Khan ��former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar �[email protected]

Impressive health benefits of sponge gourd A series of Presentation�By�Mr. Allah Dad Khan ��former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar �[email protected]

1. Impressive Health Benefits of Sponge Gourd A series of Presentation By Mr. Allah Dad Khan former DG Agriculture Extension KP Province and Visiting Professor the University of Agriculture Peshawar [email protected]

2. Sponge Gourd Sponge Gourd or Loofah / Lufah refers to any of several tropical annual climbers, cultivated for its edible young fruits. This member of the gourd family also grows as an ornamental plant in many parts of the world. The fruit of two main species viz. luffa acutangula and luffa aegyptiaca , is widely used as a vegetable in many Asian and African countries. It is one of the most popular vegetables of India. Matured sponge gourds are also used as a bath or kitchen sponge after being processed to remove everything but the network of xylem.

3. Sponge Gourd One of the healthiest green vegetables is Sponge Gourd also known as lufa . Lufa is basically a fruit but consumed as vegetable. To make it edible, one needs to harvest it at early stage of development. The fully developed gourd is used as the scrubbing sponge in bathrooms and kitchens. This particular vegetable is considered to be originated from Arabic desserts and spread all over the world.

4. Health Benefits

5. 1. Sponge Gourd as Blood purifier: I t is said to be an excellent blood purifier as it flushes out the pollutants from the blood.

6. 2. Sponge Gourd Prevents Diabetes Prevent Diabetes: gourds have insulin which is extremely beneficial for diabetes.

7. 3 Sponge Gourd for stomach I t prevents indigestion which leads to healthy stomach.

8. 4. Sponge Gourd Cares Skin F ully grown gourds can be used as scrubber. It helps to eliminate dead skin cells from the body or face.

9. 5.Sponge Gourd Helps to prevent prevent Cholestrol I t helps to prevent cholesterol therefore it helps to lose weight.

10. 6. Sponge Gourd cures jaundice As it is good for stomach it cures jaundice

11. 7. Sponge Gourd Reduce arthritis Copper provides anti-inflammatory properties which soothe stiffness and pain which is related to arthritis. It is able to assist with muscular strength, repair connective tissue. The people with arthritis wear copper bands or bracelets as it is believed that the copper can reduce the painful symptoms

12. 8. Sponge Gourd Treat Anemia Vitamin B6 is essential to produce hemoglobin in the blood which helps to transport the oxygen to the cells and mobilizes iron. Anemia is the result of inadequate red blood cells. The patients of anemia might experience these symptoms such as aches, fatigue and pain. The study shows that the consumption of Vitamin B6 in adequate amount reduces the symptoms of anemia and prevents its occurring.

13. 9.Sponge Gourd Skin health The study shows that high intake of Vitamin C can reduce the skin dryness, wrinkles and slows down the aging process. Vitamin C is essential for the production of protein to form tendons, skin, blood vessels and ligaments. It assists in the healing process of wound and also forms a scar tissue.

14. 10. Sponge Gourd Reduces Migraine headaches Migraine headaches The inadequate amount of magnesium is related to migraine headaches. Magnesium assists to balance the neurotransmitters in the body. The study which was published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics showed that the dose of 300 milligrams of magnesium lowers the recurrence of migraine headaches.

15. 11. Sponge Gourd Improves Brain Function Oxygen is required for the brain to function properly. The brain results to poor memory, apathy and decrease productivity in the absence of iron as the brain won’t receive oxygen. The deficiency of iron leads to restless, irritation and inattentive

16. 12. Sponge Gourd as a Sponge It serves wonderfully when used as a kitchen and bathroom sponge. Its dried fibrous interior acts as a natural skin shiner. Like other sponges, loofah will collect bacteria if it is kept moist and warm, an environment common to bathrooms. As a dry brush, it will gently remove the surface layer of dead skin, leaving the skin smooth and conditioned