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INTRODUCTION

The knowledge of Ayurveda was handed down from Brahma to

Daksha prajapati, onto the Ashwin twins (the devine doctors), then passed

to Indra, sage Bharavaja volunteered to go to heaven to receive this

wisdom from Indra and so became the first human to receive the

knowledge of Ayurveda. He passed to Atreya, then onto Punarvashu and

finally Agnivesha.

The practice of Ayurveda & Traditional medicine is based on the

theory, belief and experiences indigenous to different culture. As the

global interest in natural heading grows more and more people are

turning to Ayurveda & Traditional herbal remedies for relief pain and

diseases. As this "germ wave" again dispels all over the world,

investigational of its legitimacy have increased. There is increasing

awareness of the value of traditional medicine and bio-diversity resources

as economic and tradable commodities.

Ayurveda, the indigenous system of medicine of this sub-continent

dating back to the vedic age (1500-800 B.C.) has been an integral part of

our culture. The term comes from the Sanskrit root, Ayu (= life) Veda

(= knowledge). Ayurveda deals with life in its totality. It concerns not

only the body but the mind and soul. The body, mind and soul are the 3

limbs upon which the three- dimensional therapy of Ayurveda - the

physical, mental and spiritual-stands. Ayurveda has a holistic view of

life and health care properties perfect health can only be achieved when

the body, mind and soul are in harmony with each other and the cosmic

surroundings.

Ayurveda has eight angas and twelve vibhagas. Among 12

bhivagas, dravyaguna vigyan is one of the most important vibhagas. The

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development of Dravyaguna vigyan is carried out from vedic period to

samhita period (vrinatri), Nighantu-period & modern age. In vedic

period, there is found the name of medicinal plants, also the properties and

actions of the medicinal plants.

There are description of 67 medicinal plant in Rigveda, 81 in

Ajurveda and 289 medicinal plants in Atharveda. In upnisnads and

purans. Somewhere brief & somewhere detailed description is found.

In ancient time, dravyaguna vigyan was separately described in

Nighantu. In those Nighantu, dravyas were introduced by their synonyms

such Nighantus are Aastang Nighantu, Paryay Ratmala, Hridya-dipak.

After that Nighantus like Bhavprakash Nighantu, Aastang Nighantu,

Madanpal Nighantu, Dhanvantri Nighantu etc. in which Gunas

(properties) and Karma (actions) was began to describe. Nighantu of

middle aged are Indra-Nighantu, Dravyaguna Sangrah etc. Raj-

Nighantu, Chandra-Nighantu, Shivkoshi Saligram Nighantu are

Nighantus of modern age.

The Himalayan kingdom Nepal is endowed with rich flora due to

the presence of wide range of geographical and climatic conditions. The

floral diversity comprises about 6000 species of flowering plants, 380

species of pteridophytes, 1037 species of Bryophytes, 465 species of

lichens, 687 species of Algae and over 1600 species of fungi (JADAN

2059). Among them a large number of species have medicinal and

aromatic properties and are under use since time immemorial under

different traditional systems including Ayurveda, Homeopathy and

Tibetian. Besides these, a large number of species are in use in remote

area of folklore medicines. The country in rich not only in medicinal

and aromatic plant resources but also consists a wide range of traditional

medical knowledge due to its cultural and ethnic diversity. The traditional

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system of medicine together with folklore medicines still continue to

serve large populations of the developing countries, particularly in rural

and semi-urban areas. According to an estimate approximately 85%

people particularly living in the rural areas, depend directly or indirectly

on the trational medicine based an herbal drugs.

Herbs play a significant role, especially in modern times, when the

damaging effects of food processing and over-medication have assumed

alarming properties. They are now increasingly used in cosmetics, foods

and real, as well of alternative medicine. The growing interest in herb is

a part of the movement towards changes life life-styles. This movement

is based on the belief that the plants have a vast potential per their life a

curative medicine. In allopathy medicine system also, medicinal plant

source-drug is used. The first antibiotic penicillin was discovered by

Alexander flemming from fungal plant penicillum notatum.

The description of Jatamansi is found from old treatise of Ayurveda

to modern books of medicinal plants. The drug is one of first 12 drugs

mentioned in the earlist european medical work, pharmacopoeia of

Hippocrates and has been use for over 3000 years. Traditionally the drug

has been used as a herbal CNS drug in epilepsy, hysteria and -

convulsions. In this literacy survey report, I have tried to lighten the

medicinal importance of Jalamansi by the help of many old and modern

books.

The description of Devdali is found from old treatise of Ayurveda

to modern books of medicinal plants. Traditionally the drug has been

used as a herbal emetic and in different diseases like liver disorders,

poisoning etc. In this literary survey report, I have tried to lighter the

medicinal importance of Devdali by the help of many old and modern

books.

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CLASSIFICATION OF FAMILY CUCURBITACEAE

Engler & Prantle Bentham & Hooker Hutchinson

Dicotyledoneae Dicotyledons Dicotyledons

Sympetalae Polypetalae Lignosae

Cucurbitales Calyciflorae Cucurbitales

Cucurbitaceae Passiflarales L-ucurbitaceae

Cucurbitaceae

INFORMATION OF FAMILY CUCURBITACEAE

Salient features:-

The family includes about 100 genera & 800 Species. Plants

are generally prostrate or scandent herbs climbing with the help of

tendrils, angular branched, hairy and fistular when old. Leaves alternate,

petiolate, exstipulate, simple, palmate, with multicostate reticulate

venation. Flowers generally solitary, axillary or sometimes arranged in

cymose or racemose inflorescence. Flowers are generally unisexual

(plants may be monoecious or dioecious). Flowers pedicellate,

bracteate, unisexual, actinomorphic and incomplete. Female flowers

epigynous, sepals 5, poly or gam .sepalous. Petals 5, polypetalous or

gamopetalous, aestivation imbricate. In male flowers stamens are

generally 5, sometimes reduced, polyandrous or united to form a column.

In the female flowers, carpels are 3, syncarpous, ovary inferior with

parietal placentation. Fruit is a berry.

Cucurbitaceae is a plant family commonly known as gourds or

cucurbits and includes the cucumber, squash, luffa, and melons. It is one

of the most important families of food plants in the world, although not

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nearly as important as the grass family, Poaceae, legume family,

Fabaceae, or Nightshade family, Solanaceae.

Most of the plants in this family are annual vines with fairly large, showy

blossoms. The plants produce male and female flowers separately on the

same plant, and the female flowers have inferior ovaries. The fruit is a

kind of berry called a pepo.

Most of the plants in this family are readily susceptible to a moth larva,

the squash borer.

DETAILEDEATURES:

Vegetative characters

HABIT:

Annual or perennial herbs moving with the help of tendrils because

plants are trailing or climbing. However, there are few plants, which may

be shrubs (Acanthsicyas) or tree (Dendrosicyos).

ROOT: Tap root system.

STEM:

Herbaceous, climbing or trailing, angular, branched and generally

fistular when old.

LEAVES:

Alternate, petiolate, exstipulate, simple, lobed, hairy,

multicostate, reticulat venation. The morphlogy of tendril in this family

is very controversial According to Braun (1876), it is a modified

bracteole while ENGLR Holds that it is a modified stipule. Hagerup

thinks that the tendrils lower is the leaf. Some workers feel that it is a

modified peduncle while Bfcers are of the opinion that it is an

extra axillary shoot or it might have developed by the splitting of

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the petiole. Mullar supports the view that the tendril is of dual

nature as stated above.

Floral characters

INFLORESCENCE:

Generally the flowers are solitary, axillary, panicles in

actinostemma with unisexual flowers, generally male may form a group

but female flowers are usually solitary. Plants may be monoecious or

dioecious.

MALE FLOWER:

Pedicellate, bracteate, unisexual, actinomorphic, incomplete.

Calyx: Cepals 5, gamosepalous, hairy, companulate.

Corolla: Petals 5, polypetalous or united below or completely

united.

Androecium: Stamens 2-5 in different plants. Free or united in

pairs or united.

Gynoecium: Absent or sometimes rudiments of fen ale may be

present.

FEMALE FLOWER:

Pedicellate, bracteate, unisexual, actinomorphic, epigynous

and incomplete.

Calyx : - Sepals 5, gamosepalous, calyx tube adnate to the ovary

wall. Corolla: - Petals 5, polypetalous or fused at the

base.

Androecium : - stamens absent or rudiments of stamens present.

Gynoecium: - tricarpellary, syncarpous, overy

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inferior, parietal placentation but sometimes falsely

triocular, sometimes placentation appears axile but it is

not so.

Stigmas : - Three or each bifurcated.

FRUIT :-

Berry, usually of a very big size called pepo as in lagenaria, fruit

is indehiscent, but becomes dehiscent and ruptures with a great force,

throwing its seeds to long distances in Ecballium elaterium which

is called 'squirting cucumba'.

POLLINATION: -

The large prominent brightly coloured petals and nectars on the

flowers are the attraction for the insects. The twisted or coiled anthers

shed their pollen grains in between apertures and the insects in reach of

nectar visit the male flower, get dusted with the pollen grain on its

entire body. The same insect when visiting a female flower brings about

pollination.

Economic Importance

From the economic point of view, the importance of this family is

very great because it includes most of the vegetables and some fruits.

They may be described as below:

1) Trichosanthes: - These are the scandent herbs with usually

dioecious flowers of special mentioned T. anguina, the snake

gourd (chichindo) and T. dioica (perbal). Both of them

particularly the latter form, very nourishing and delicious

vegetables and sweets.

2) Lagenaria aegyptiaca, the bottle gourd (lauka) is largely

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cultivated for the large berries which are taken as vegetables.

3) Luffa aegyptiaca which is commonly used as vegetable.

4) Benincasa hispida , the white gourd - melon (kubhindo) is

largely cultivated for its large size fruit which makes good

vegetable and well known sweets (murrabba etc.).

5) Momardica charantia (karela), is not only a good vegetable

but also medicinally important.

6) Cucumis :- It includes important fruits and vegetables e.g. C.

melo, C. melo utilissimus, C. sativus.

7) Citrullus :- It contains delicious fruits (i) ..nd (ii) e.g.

Citrullus vulgaris,

(i) Good vegetable e.g. c. Vulgaris fistulosus.

(ii) Medicinal sources e.g. C. colocynthis

8) Coccinia indica is a perennial with tuberous roots

INFORMATION OF GENUS LUFFA (TOURA) LINN.

The Luffas (from Arabic وف also spelled loofah or Loofa) are ;ل

tropical and subtropical annual vines comprising the genus Luffa. The

fruit of at least two species, L. acutangula and L. aegyptiaca, is grown to

be harvested before maturity and eaten as a vegetable, sometimes called

Chinese okra, popular in Asia and Africa. L. acutangula is also known

as Ridge Gourd and is called jhingey in Bengali, turai in Hindi, heeray

kAyi in Kannada, wetakolu in Sinhala, and kabatiti in Ilocano. The fruit of

L. aegyptiaca may also be allowed to mature and used as a bath or

kitchen sponge after being processed to remove everything but the

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network of xylem. This version is called dhundul in Bengali, ghiya tori or

nerua in Hindi or "peerkankai" in Tamil or "beera kaya" in Telugu

Luffa species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera

species including Hypercompe albicornis.

The plants of Genus Luffa are annual herbs.

Tendrils: 2 to many fid

Leaves: 3-7 lobed (rarely subentire)

Petiole: Without glands at the apex

Flowers: Monocious (rarely dioceous), rather large yellow white.

Males & females often from the same axil.

Male flowers:

Recemose.

Calyx: Tube companulate or turbinate; lobes – 5, triangular or

lanceolate

Patels: 5 in no. free, spreading, obovate or obcordate

Stemans: 3 (rarely 5), inserted in the calyx – tube; filament –

free or connate, anthers – excerted, free one 1 – celled

and others 2 - celled. The cells – sigmoid, often on

the margin of a broad connective

Female flowers:

Calyx: tube produced beyond the ovary, lobes as in the male.

Corolla: as in the male staminodes usually 3, thick.

Ovary: elongate, sulcate, angeled or cylindric, 3 –

plancentiferous. Ovules – numerous, horizontal, style

– columnar, stigma – 3 – lobed.

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Fruit: dry, ablonged or cylindric (not spherical) acutely

ribbed or terate, smooth or echinate, fibrous within, 3

– celled, terminated by the persistant style, usually

circumscessile near the apex.

Seeds: Many, ablonged, compressed

A. Stamens 5:

Seed winged, usually smooth - - - Z. wegyptica

B. Stamens 3:

(1) Fruit 10 ribbed; seeds rugobe, wingless - - - L. acutangula.

(2) Fruit echinate; seeds slightly verucose, wingless – L.

echinata.

L. aegyptiaca Mill is used medicinaly in china, Indo-china, the

Philippine Islands, Brazil, and Guiana.

L. acutangula Roxb, L. operculata (Linn) cogn, and L. purgans

Martare also used in Brazil.

L. sphaerica sond in South Africa, L. actangula Roxb, L. actangula

var. amaraclarke and L. aegyptica Mill in Cambodia.

SYSTEMIC POSITION:

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Cucurbitales

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Genus: Luffa

Species: echinata Roxb.

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VERNACULARS:

Bangal : Deyatada

Bombay : Kukarvel

Canarese : Devadanger

Gujarati : Kakaravel

Hindi : Bidali, Ghagarabela, Ghusarana, Sonaiya, Vandala,

Marathi : Devadali, Devadangari, Kukdavel

Nepali : Jhunse Navatoriya

Sanskrit : Akhuvishaka, Chaturangaka, Dali, Deodalika, Deolata,

Devadali, Garagari, Garana, Shini, Ghora, Ghosha, Jimuta,

Kadamba, Kantakaphala, Karkati, Kataphala, Khara,

Spersha, Koshaphala, Kukkuti, Lomashapatrika, Pita, Saha,

Saramushika, Turangika, Veni, Vishaghni, Vishaha,

Vrittakosha.

Sind : Jangthori

Telugu : Panibira

Urdu : Kukurvel

English : Bristly luffa

DISTRIBUTION:

Found specially in wild form in western Asia and tropical Africa.

In India found in Gugarat, Bangal Uttar Pradesh & Bihar. In Nepal may

be found in tropical and subtropical region.

SPECIES:

It is usually accepted to be the genuine Devdali, But one and some

times more varieties of it are mentioned in Ayurvedic literature.

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Luffa graveolens Roxb – has yellow flower; the fruits are with less spines

and are more soft than that of L. echinata Roxb. It has one variety – var.

longystyla Clarke. which has shorter inflorescence & less ciliate bristles.

Modern taxonomy has many species (not less than 4) of luffa.

These are:

Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb.A

Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. var. acutangula -> Luffa

acutangula (L.) Roxb.

Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. var. amara (Roxb.) C.B. Clarke

Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb. var. forskalii (Harms) Heiser &

Schilling

Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. A

Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. var. aegyptiaca -> Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.

Luffa aegyptiaca Mill. var. leiocarpa (Naudin) Heiser & Schilling

Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.J. Roem. -> Luffa aegyptiaca Mill.

Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.J. Roem. var. insularum Cogn.

Luffa echinata Roxb.

GANA:

Sanshodhana/ Uvayatobhagahar.

SKANDHA:

Tikta

PLANT DESCRIPTION:

Habit: Annual or perennial climbing herb.

Stem: Slender, branched, furrowed, glaberous

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Tendril: Bifid, slender hairy

Leaves: 3.8 – 6.3 cm long, usually a little broader than long, reniform

to suborbicular in outline, broadely cordate at the base obscurely 5 angled

or more or less deeply 5 lobed; the lobes rounded or rarely sub – acute at

the apex, the margins minutely denticulate; petioles 2.5 -5 cm. long,

striate, puberulus or sometimes slightly scabid.

Flowers: usually diocious

Male Flowers:

Peduncles: - 7-5 – 15 cm long, usually in pairs, one 1 – flowered, the

other with a receme of 5-12 flowers at the apex.

Pedicles: - 1-2 cm. long, bractate near the base.

Calyx: Hairly, 6 mm long, tube very short, lobes – ovate to

lanceolate, acute.

Petals: White, spreading, obovate, twice as long as the calyx,

veined.

Stemans: 3. 2 with 2 – celled anthers.

Female Flowers:

Penduncles: 1.3-5 cm long

Fruit: Broadely ellicpsoid, 2.5 -3.8 by 1.3 -2 cm, not ribbed,

clothed with ciliate bristles 4-6 mm long operculumconical,

without bristles.

Seed: numerous, 4-5 by 3mm, not winged, slightly verrucose.

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CHEMISTRY:

A type of oil is found in the seed .In the fruit a bitter chemical

Echinetin & Saponine is found. Acetone, Ether &Methanoic extracts are

also found.

PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS:

Hepatoprotective activity of Luffa echinata fruits

The different extracts of the fruits of Luffa echinata Roxb.

(Cucurbitaceae) were tested for their hepatoprotective activity

against CCl(4) induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The degree of

protection was measured by using biochemical parameters like

serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic

pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), total

protein (TP) and total albumin (TA). The petroleum ether, acetone

and methanolic extracts showed a significant hepatoprotective

activity comparable with those of Silymarin.

Ahmed B et al.,

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy,

Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, 110062, New Delhi, India.

root@hamduni.ren.nic.in

Effect of Luffa echinata on Lipid Peroxidation and Free Radical

Scavenging Activity

The dried alcoholic (50%) extract of the plant Luffa echinata was

investigated for inhibition of lipid peroxidation, for hydroxyl radical

scavenging activity and interaction with 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl

stable free radical (DPPH).

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It was found that the test extract exhibited a considerable

inhibition of lipid peroxidation and possessed hydroxyl radical

scavenging activity. Evaluation of antiradical scavenging activity

showed significant interaction with DPPH.

These properties could be considered as a useful and exploitable

combination for justi-fying the reported activity.

PROPERTIES:

Taste/ Rasa – Katu (Hot), Tikta (Bitter)

Properties/ Guna – Laghu (lightness), Rukshya

(dryness), Tikshna (Sharpness)

Biotransformed Rasa/ Vipaka – Katu

Poteney/ Veerya – Ushna (hot)

Dosha karma:

Kapha-pittahar

SYSTEMIC USERS:

EXTERNAL USES:

The fruit has wound – healing emaciating, blood – purifying and

‘Shiroverachan’ property.

INTERNAL USES:

1. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:

In small dosage – it is stomachic, hepatic stimulant, glactogogue.

In large dosage – it is diemetic & purgative. it has also vermicidal

action.

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2. CIRCULATORY SYSTEM:

Blood purifier & Anti – inflammatory

3. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM:

Cough expectorant

4. URINARY SYSTEM:

Diuretic

5. REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM:

Causes uterine contraction

6. INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM:

Kills the germs and parasite

7. TEMPERATURE:

Febrifuge

OTHER USES:

The fruit is bitter, strong cathertic, anthelmintic, antipyretic,

stomachic; cures boils, piles jaundice, ch. sinusitis, epilepsy & kaphaj

shirorogh. When it is used in small dosage, it is also beneficial in

indigestion, hepatic disorder, jaundice, piles etc. and in large dosage, it is

beneficial in ascitis, anaemia, poisoning, worm infestation etc. It induces

projectile vomiting & drastic loose stool in large amount thus acting as

both purgative & diemetic.

It is also effective in blood disorders, inflammation, cough,

dysurea, dysmenorrhoea, skin disorder etc.

There are 3 kinds and all have the same medicinal properties. The

plant is bitter, hot, alexiteric; cures bronchitis, asthma etc and destroys the

foul taste in mouth.

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The root is laxative, anthelminthic, analgesic, cures tumers,

bronchitis, piles, vaginal discharges, jaundice.

The anthers are administered through mouth to facilitate delivery

(Ayurveda).

The root strengthens the muscles of neck, tonic to the hair.

The fruit has the bad taste, cures chronic bronchitis & lung

complain (Unani).

The fruit and ripe seeds are violent cathertics and emetics.

In the Konkan, a few grains of bitter fibrous contents of the fruit

was given in infusion in cholera after each stool; in putrid fever the

infusion is applied to the whole body and in jaundice it is applied to the

head and also given internally; the infusion has also the reputation as a

remedy for colic.

The fruit is considered as a powerful remedy for 'Dropsy' in North

India. It has purgative property.

Every part of the plant, either alone or in combination, has been

recommended for the treatment of snake bite (Brihannighanta ratnakar,

Nighantaratnakar, Ratnakar, Yogaratnakar, Bapat). In the Konokan, a

few grains of the bitter fibrous contains of the fruit are given in infusion.

CONTRAINDICATION:

Not mentioned

AAMAYIK PRAYOG/ SPECIFIC DISEASE TREATMENT:

1. Boils:

The expressed juice is used in boils.

2. Piles:

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The paste of the fruit is applied to the piles which is beneficial.

3. Nasya is given in jaundice, ch. sinusitis, epilepsy like disorders and

kaphaj siroroga.

4. Jaundice:

Nasya of cold infusion is given.

5. Poisoning:

Fruit is given orally so as to induce emesis and purgation at the

same time to expel out the poison through the body.

6. Mouse poisoning:

Madanphal, Vacha, devdali and Kutha; these all are to be mixed

with the urine of cow and grinded to make paste and taken orally with

yogurt. This neutralizes the effects of all mouse - poisoning (Su. Sa. Kal.

7/36)

PARTS USED:

Fruit

DOSE:

1-3 gm.

LITERARY SURVEY:

SAMHITAS:

1. CHARAK SAMHITA:

SOOTRA STHANA:

dbg+dw"'s+ lgDj+ hLd"t+ s[tj]wgd\ .

lkKknLs'6h]Ijfs"0o]nf+ 3fdfu{jfl0f r ..

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'Emetic nut, liquorice, neem, bristly luffa, bitter luffa, long piper,

kurchi, bitter - goard, cardamom and spong gourd - these drugs should be

used as emetics by the physician, in the way not harmful to the body in

gastric disorders characterized by morbid accumulation of kapha & pitta.'

Cha. Sa. Su . 2/7-8.

KALPA STHANA:

'Listen to the exposition of the pharmaceutics of bristly luffa

making use of its fruit and blossom. garagari, Veni and devatadaka are

its synonyms.'

Cha. Sa. Kal. 2/3

‘Bristly luffa is curative of each of the three morbid humors when

combined with appropriate adjuvants. It should be administered in fever,

dyspnea, hiccup and similar other disorders.'

Cha. Sa. Kal. 2/4

'Select the bristly luffa growing in the most favourable land and

endowed with the best quality as already described. Milk should be

prepared from its flowers. Milk-gruel from its fresh fruits, the cream of

milk from its hairy fruits, the cream of curds from its fruits whose hair

has fallen, sour curds from the milk prepared with greenish - yellow

fruits; the powder of old & well dried fruits kept in a clear vessel should

be taken with milk, in a dose of two tolas by a person affected with vata

& pitta.'

Cha. Sa. Kal. 2/5-7.

'The fruits should be crushed and macerated with the supernatent

part of sura wine (and the juice strained). It should be taken as potion in

Kapha-disorders, anorexia, cough, anemia and constipation.'

Cha. Sa. Kal 2/8.

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'Two or three fruits of bristly luffa should be crushed and put into

the decoction of either guduchi, liquorice, variegated mountain ebony and

other drugs of its group, neem or kurchi, and well macerated. It should

then be strained & taken as potion in the manner already described in the

case of the emetic nut (Candia Spinosa)'

Cha. Sa. Kal 2/9½

'Or, it may be taken with any one of the decoctions of the hepted of

purging cassia and other drugs of its group, in the manner described in the

previous chapter by a person affected with fever of the pitta & Kapha

type.'

Cha. Sa. Kal 2/10

'The preparation of pills are the same as in the case of the emetic

nut i.e. eight in number, only the size of the pill is to be that of the jujube. '

Cha. Sa. Kal. 2/11

'Similarly, the ghee obtained from the milk prepared with bristly

luffa & cooked with the decoction of the emetic nut and other drugs of its

group is regarded as an excellent emetic.'

Cha. Sa. Kal. 2/12

'Six preparations in milk, one in the supernatant part of wine.

Twelve other preparations, seven in the decoction of the purging cassia

and other drugs of its group, eight of pills, four preparations in the juice

of jeevaka and other drugs of its group and one preparation of ghee-these

are the thirty- nine preparation prescribed in the pharma ceutics of bristly

luffa.'

Cha. Sa. Kal. 2/14 -15.

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2. SUSHRUTA SAMHITA:

SOOTRA STHAN:

'Madanphala, kutaj, jimut (Devdali) etc should be used for

cleansing purposes through emesis.'

Su. Sa. So. 39/3

'Koshataki, Saptalaa, Sankhini, Devdali, Karavellika etc are the

drugs which purify/ Cleanse the body through ‘Uvayamarga’ i.e. inducing

emesis purgation at the same time. The expressed juice should be used

for the purpose.'

- Su. Sa. So. 39/7

KALPASTHAN:

To treat mouse-bite poisoning:

'The fruit of devdali & madanphal (Randiia Spinosa) mixed with

yogurt should given to drink and induce vomiting. This preparation is

effective in all types of mouse - poisoning.'

Su. Sa. Kal. 7/35

'Madanphala, Vacha, Devdali and Kutha; these all are to be mixed

with the urine of Cow & grinded to make paste and taken orally with

yogurt. This neutralizes the effects of all mouse poisoning.'

Su. Sa. Kal. 7/36

3. ASTANGASANGHARA:

SOOTRA STHAN:

Gana - Vamanopayogi gana.

'Phala (fruits), pushpa (flowers), patra (leaves) of madan, jimutak,

Ikshwaku & koshatakidwaya are vamanopayogi (drugs which help to

produce vomiting).'

A. S. So. 14/3.

22

Juice of Kosataki, Devdali & Saptala, Karavellika, Arka - kshira &

Usnodak are useful for both the above purposes (for emesis & purgation)

A. S. So. 14/5.

4. ASTANGAHRIDAYA:

Gana: Sodhanaadi gana

SOOTRASTHAN:

'Madanphal, Madhuka, Lamba (Tito Lauka), Neem, Kanduli (Gol

karkri), Indreni, Tito Kandro, Kutaj, Murra, Devdali, Vidanga, Karanja,

Pippali etc are the drugs which cause emesis.'

A. Hr. So. 15/1

'Madan, Kutaj, Kustha, Devdali, Madhuka, Vacha, Dashmool,

Deodara, Rasna, Jaun, Saunph, Tail, Kulattha, Madhu, Noon, & Nishotha

- these are the drugs that are very useful for ‘Nireeha Vasthi.'

UTTAR STHAN:

'For emesis & purgation at a time in a patient of vague indigestion

like situation, danti, vajradanti, nishotha, tito lauka, devdali process ghee

should be given to drink.'

A. Hr. U. 30/13.

23

NIGHANTUS

1. DHANWANTAI NIGHANTU (10th Century):

Synonyms: Jimut, Devataadi, Vrittakosha, Garaagari, Aakhuvishahaa,

Veni, Devdaali, Taadakaa.

Properties: It cures fever, respiratory disorders, indigestion, emaciation,

inflammation, anaemia, poisoning. It does these by inducing

vomiting & purgation.

Dhanwantari nighantu prathmovarga 173-174.

2. MADANPAAL NIGHANTU (14th Century):

Varga: Avayaadi varga.

Synonyms: Devdali, Urittakoshi, Devataanda, Garaagari, Jimut,

Taadakaa, veni, Jaalini, Aayu, Vishaapahaa.

Properties:

Rasa - tikta (bitter)

Cures kapha, piles, inflammation, anaemia, kshaya (emaciation),

hiccup, worms, fever.

It is tikshna (sharp). It also cures prameha (diabetes) & jaundice.

3. RAJANIGHANTU (15th Century):

Varga : Guduchyadi tritiya varga

Synonyms: Jimuta, kantaphala, garagari, veni, saha, koshaphala,

katphalaa, devadali.

Properties: Antipoisonous (antidote) for crabs & mice bite.

Devdali has tikta & katu rasa and usna guna and cures

anaemia, cough, respiratory disorders, jaundice, germs &

worms.

24

4. KAIYADEV NIGHANTU (15th Century):

Jimut, Jalini, Veni, Devdali, Garaagari, Vrittakosha, Devadata are

the synonyms of Devdeli and is the antidote for snake, micebite

poisoning.

Pratham bhag - 731.

The rasa & vipak of devdali is tikta (bitter) and tikshna (Ushna)

and is poison - curing.It also cures gudas kapha & jaundice.

Pratham bhag - 732.

It cures fever cough, dyspepsia, respiratory disorders, anaemia,

emaciation, worm infestation.

The fruit is bitter & cures worm - infestation, kapha and is

purgative. It also cures ‘gulma shula, vata & Arsha’

Pratham bhag - 733.

5. BHAVPRAKASH NIGHANTU (16th century):

Name of Devdali: Devdali, Veni, Karkati, Gaaragari, Devataada,

Urittakosha, Jimut

Name of Yellow Devdali: Kharaspersha, Vishaghni, and Garanashini.

Propertes of Devdali: Rasa - tikta; diemetic, tikshna (sharp); cures

kapha & piles, inflammation, anaemia, ‘kshya’,

hiccup, worms & fever.

Properties of fruit: The fruit has tikta (bitter) taste and cures worm

infestation, kapha, gulma, colic pain, piles &

vatic disorders.

25

FROM INTERNET:

During the last six or eight years the so-called towel-gourd has

attracted some attention, and the fibrous tissue of the fruit is now found in

a number of pharmacies, where it is sold under the names of vegetable

sponge, luffa-sponge, or wash-rag. The plant from which this article is

derived is indigenous to Upper Egypt and other parts of tropical Eastern

Africa, and belongs to the cucurbitaceous genus Luffa which is confined

to the tropics, and is botanically closely related to Momordica, the genus

yielding the well-known balsam-apple of our gardens; but, while the ripe

fruit of the latter is dehiscent in an irregular manner, that of the Luffa

separates at maturity an operculum or lid, which is formed by a kind of

disc upon which the floral organs were situated. The plant is known as

Luffa aegyptiaca, Miller, and formerly as Momordica Luffa, Linné.

It grows to the length of 20 or 30 feet, and has an angular tough

stem which climbs by means of long and strong spirally twisted tendrils.

The alternate leaves are roundish in outline, with a heart-shaped base, and

with the margin divided into five lobes. The flowers are rather large, the

corolla of a yellow color; the staminate flowers in racemes; the pistillate

flowers solitary, with an elongated ovary and a three- obed stigma. The

fruit attains a length of from 10 to 20 inches, is two or three inches thick,

elliptic in shape, but thinner towards the base; of a green color, externally

marked by ten blackish longitudinal lines and opens at the apex by a

flattish conical lid. The numerous seeds are oval, or oval-oblong, nearly

half an inch in length and one-quarter inch broad; flat, slightly margined

at both ends and of a dull blackish color.

The testa is finely reticulate, and near the hilum on each side

marked with two short ridges forming an obtuse angle. The embryo is of'

a greenish-white color and has an oily taste. The part used is the net-work

26

of fibres in the interior of the fruit. Strong fibrous bundles are found in

the pericarp under each of the longitudinal black lines; similar bundles

are also contained in the (normally) three placentas, which project from

the pericarp toward the centre of' the fruit, are there divided each into two

branches and curve back again to near the pericarp. These longitudinal

fibres, with their anastomosing branches following the same direction, are

located in the inner layer of the net-work, while other branches running

transversely form a similar outer ayer, and in the placentas are arranged

in strata, between which the numerous seeds are securely imbedded. To

obtain this interwoven fibrous tissue, the ripe fruit is either kept in a

warm and damp place for several weeks until the softer parenchyma

becomes rotten, when it is removed together with its mucilaginous

contents by repeated washing with water; or, without allowing the fruit to

undergo this softening process, an incision is made longitudinally through

the outer layer of the ripe pericarp, and the soft tissue with contents is

removed by soaking in water, pressing with the hands and repeated

washing, during which manipulation the seeds are likewise discharged

through the longitudinal channels between the fibrous web. When dry,

this net-work is of a yellowish or dingy-white color, and rather hard and

rough, though flexible; it readily absorbs moisture, becoming soft, though

retaining its firmness, and in a slightly damp condition may easily be

compressed. It is not unlikely that in this state it may be found useful as a

surgical appliance for the absorption of liquid discharges, and bandages

made of it have been employed to some extent in Europe. This absorbing

power, combined with great durability and a certain amount of elasticity,

have led, in Germany, to the manufacture of luffa soles, which are

claimed to be more useful and serviceable in cases of sweating feet than

soles made of felt or other material, by completely absorbing the

perspiration and still retaining between the meshes a thin layer of air;

27

moreover, they may be readily cleaned by washing with soap and water.

The properties mentioned have also caused the material to be made into

saddle undercloths which take up the perspiration of the sweating animal.

In Egypt, where the plant has long been cultivated, the luffa sponge

is used or straining liquids, for scouring and scrubbing, and as a flesh-

brush for friction in certain skin diseases; since its introduction into the

United States it is employed mainly as a bathing sponge and as a flesh-

brush, for which purposes it is well adapted in consequence of its

lightness, texture, durability and the ease with which it is cleaned. The

plant is readily raised from seeds and is a rapid grower; if germinated

early, it will flower and ripen its fruit in the latitude of Philadelphia

before the cool autumn weather sets in, a light sandy soil being

apparently better adapted for securing its perfection than a heavy and rich

soil. Full-grown fruits, not completely maturing before cool weather, may

be ripened by keeping them in a warm room; but in this case the fibrous

net-work will be more delicate in texture and less resistant to wear.

28

DISCUSSION:

Bristly luffa (Devdali) is an important plant of family

cucurbitaceae. It is mentioned in samhitas and other ancient literatures.

Almost all of the literatures have mentioned the properties and the uses of

th plant similarly.

The description of the plant is mentioned by many names. This

type of writing style makes us some confusion. I have found almost all

the properties and the use of the bristly luffa are same though they are

written as many names.

One thing discussable is - its antidote like effect in mice, snake-

bite poisoning that was mentioned in the ancient texts like sushruta

samhita & other nighantus because some modern researchers have

claimed that they found no symptomatic relief in snake - bite poisoning.

CONCLUSION:

Bristly luffa is an important medicinal plant.

It has catu & tikta rasa, laghu, rukshya & tikshna guna; katu

vipaka, and usna veerya.

It has kapha & pittahar property. It is one of the best drugs among

that which cause emesis & purgation at a time.

It has diemetic & drastic purgative property along with blood

purifier etc. property.

It was used in mouse bite poisoning extensively in ancient period.

29

REFERENCES

1. Charak Samhita: Volume I & VI Edited & Published by shree

Gulabkunverba Ayurvedic society, Jamnagar, India, 1949.

2. Shresta Samhita: Volume I and III, Transleted and Edited by

Kaviraj Kunjalal Bhishagratna, Chaukhamba Vishaw

Bharati, Varanasi, India.

3. Astangahridaya: Editor shree Yadunandan Upadhyaya,

Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sirij office Varanasi - 1, India

4. Bhavprakash nighantu Editor - Dr. Gangasasahya Pandey,

Chaukhamba Bharati Academy, Varanasi, India

5. Shrangdhar Samhita: Editor Shree Dayashankar Pandeya,

Chaukhamba Bharati Prakashan, Varanasi - 1, India

6. Rajnighantu Sahit Dhanwantari Nighantu: Publisher-

Ananadaashram Sanskrit Granthawati, India.

7. Indian Medicinal Plant: Vol II, By H. Colonel L.R. Kirtikar, Major

B.D. Basu, Intl Book Distributors

8. Dravyaguna Vigyan Vol - II: A. Priyaverta Sharma, Chaukhamba

Bharati Academy, India, Reprint 2005

9. Dravyaguna Vigyan: Dr. Shyammani Adhikari, Sajha Prakashan,

Kathmandu, 1st Edition, 2005

10. Glossary of Vegetable Drugs of Brhattarai: Thakur Balwant Singh

Chukhamba Sanskrit Series Office Varanasi - 1, 1972, India.

11. Madanpaal Nighantu: Commentetor - Ganga Vishnu

Shreekrishnadas, Kalyan Bombay

30

12. Astangasanghra Sutrasthan: Translated by Dr. Shyammani

Adhikari. Publisher: M.S.U. Dang, Nepal (2060 BS.)

13. Kaiyadevnighantu, First Part: Editor- Pan. Surendra Mohan

Publisher - Meharchandra Laxmandas India.

14. www.google.com

31

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Compiling the materials from different sources is a fruitful job for

all types of students especially like us who are the follower of such vague

and confusing subjects. This work encourages not only for comparative

study but also for researching and collecting all related information in a

place.

Although the work of compiling all the information about a topic

scattered in different texts is a difficult task, it becomes no longer a

tedious work when student is lucky enough to have a co-operative,

enthusiastic and encouraging teacher like associate professor Dr. N.N.

Tiwari. So, my special gratitude goes to my respected teacher Dr. N.N.

Tiwari, an Ass. Professor and Head of Department of Dravyaguna

Vigyan, whose guidance brought me near to knowledge of medicinal

plants.

I would like to express my special thanks to all librariens, all my

colleagues and all others who helped and encouraged me to make this

compilation in this form.

Thanks

32

CONTENTS

Page No.

Acknowledgement

Introduction 1

Classification of Family Cucurbitaceae 4

Information of Family Cucurbitaceae 4

Information of Genus Luffa (Toura) Linn 8

Systemic Position 10

Vernaculars 10

Distribution 11

Species 11

Gana 12

Plant Description 12

Chemistry 14

Pharmacotherapeutics 14

Properties 15

Systemic Uses 15

Other Uses 16

Contraindication 17

Aamayik Prayog/ Specific Disease Treatment 17

Parts Used 18

Dose 18

Literary Survey 18

Samhitas 18

1. Charak Samhita 18

2. Sushruta Samhita 21

3. Astangasanghara 21

4. Astangahridaya 22

33

Nighantus 23

1. Dhanwantai Nighantu (10th

Century) 23

2. Madanpaal Nighantu (14th

Century) 23

3. Rajanighantu (15th

Century) 23

4. Kaiyadev Nighantu (15th

Century) 24

5. Bhavprakash Nighantu (16th

Century) 24

From Internet 25

Discussion 28

Conclusion 28

References 29