Ash Gourd (Winter Melon), the “Cool” Vegetable: Benefits & Recipes

Table of Content
1. Origin of Ash Gourd
2. What is Ash Gourd?
3. What is Ash Gourd called in India?
4. What does Ash Gourd Look Like?
5. Four Ash Gourd Benefits
5-1. Sharpness of Mind
5-2. Increased Energy
5-3. Constipation, Piles, Boils
5-4. Cooling Caution
6. Additional Ash Gourd Health Benefits
7. Nutrition of Ash Gourd
8. Taste and Use
9. Finding and Choosing
10. Ash Gourd Juice Benefits – ER Nurse Discovers a Healthy Energy Boost
11. Five Ash Gourd Recipes
11-1. Ash Gourd Juice
11-2. Ash Gourd and Watermelon Smoothie
11-3. Ash Gourd Raita
11-4. Lime and Ash Gourd Cooler
11-5. Ash Gourd Halwa

Incorporating ash gourd or winter melon, into your diet is a simple way to beat the heat, enjoy a powerful energy boost and add tasty variety to salads, juices, snacks and even sweets. This incredibly versatile vegetable boasts a laundry list of benefits for health and wellbeing. Learn more about these benefits and enjoy a wide selection of delectable ash gourd recipes below.

Origin of Ash Gourd

Ash gourd’s ancient roots make it difficult to trace a precise origin, though botanists speculate that the gourd likely originated in Japan, Indonesia, China, or Indo-Malaysia. In all of these regions, ash gourd has been in use for thousands of years. Descriptions of the gourd’s medicinal value can be found in Chinese texts from the 5th-6th century AD.

Sadhguru describes some of the lore surrounding ash gourd’s qualities and uses in Indian tradition.

Sadhguru: They have told you this is a very auspicious vegetable. If you build a new house, you hang it in front of your house. If you want to do any ceremony, it comes into your house. Traditionally it was fixed up like this, that even if you happen to grow an ash gourd in own house, you should not eat it. You must give it away as a dana to a Brahmin. If you give it away to a Brahmin, you will get punya somewhere, but he will get good food right here.

A shudra was not supposed to eat ash gourd. If a shudra was found to eating an ash gourd, he would be killed, because they said if a person eats ash gourd, he will become articulate and sharp in his head. So a shudra should not be allowed to eat ash gourd. Today you have no such problems. Everyone can choose and eat what they want.

Traditionally, this vegetable has been put to use in so many ways. One reason why it is hung in front of new homes is, when you enter a newly built building, sometimes certain negative energies get trapped. So they advised people to hang an ash gourd because it creates so much positive vibration that it clears the negativity. I think it is better to put it into your body. Now instead of putting it in front of your house, if you put it into your stomach, you will become a source of good vibrations. Wherever you go, everything is fine with you.

What is Ash Gourd?

Ash gourd or Benincasa hispida, is a unique melon eaten mostly in India and China. It is often cubed and added to soups in Asian cooking. However, the Yogis of India have long regarded ash gourd as one of the most naturally energizing foods due to its high quotient of what Yogic science refers to as “prana”, or vital life energy.

What is Ash Gourd called in India?

Language	Ash Gourd Name
English	White gourd, Winter Melon, Wax gourd (denotes one sub-type of ash gourd)
Sanskrit	Kushmanda, brihatphala, ghrinavasa, gramyakarkati, karkaru
Hindi	Petha, pethakaddu
Manipuri	Torobot
Marathi	Kohla
Tamil	Neer poosanikai
Malayalam	Kumbalanga
Telugu	Boodida Gummadikaaya
Kannada	Budekumbalakayi, boodu gumbala
Bengali	Kumra, chalkumra
Assamese	Komora

What does Ash Gourd look like?

Immature ash gourd is coated in fine hairs which disappear as the gourd ripens. The exterior color can vary between dark green to a pale gray. Mature gourds are coated in a distinctive white ash. This powdery coating is where the melon derives its other common name, “ash gourd”. The shape of the gourd can also vary between round and oblong. 

Four Ash Gourd Benefits

#1 Sharpness of Mind

Sadhguru: Just drink one glass of ash gourd juice in the morning and you will see tremendous amount of coolness in the body, while at the same time it brings alertness into you. Daily consumption of ash gourd greatly enhances your intellectual capabilities. Especially children must drink ash gourd juice. If you drink it for one week, you will notice a distinct change in the sharpness of your mind. This is very highly pranic. Every day, if you drink a glass of ash gourd juice in the morning, you will see it will do wonders for your intellect. Your intellect will be very sharp and it brings energy without agitation in the system. Daily consumption of ash gourd will do miracles to you.

#2 Increased Energy

Sadhguru: Consumption of ash gourd brings an enormous amount of energy, at the same time it keeps your nerves very calm. If you drink coffee, it gives you energy with agitation. If you drink a glass of ash gourd, it gives you enormous amount of energy, and still keeps you calm.

#3 Constipation, Piles, Boils

Sadhguru: If you consume a little bit of ash gourd juice, it cools down the system. This is beneficial for people who excess heat in the body, which can produce problems like boils, piles (hemorrhoids) and constipation problems.

#4 Cooling Caution

Sadhguru: People who are susceptible to problems such as colds, asthma, and sinusitis should be a little careful with ash gourd because it creates too much sheeta, or coolness, in the system. Such people should always mix it with honey or pepper and drink it, so that the cooling effect is neutralized to some extent. 

Additional Ash Gourd Health Benefits

• According to a 2001 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, ash gourd extracts inhibited the development of ulcers when tested in rats. The extracts were also found to be nontoxic.
• A 2005 study also published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology indicates that ash gourd seed extracts illustrate anti-angiogenic qualities. Simply put, the plant inhibited the essential supply of blood to cancerous tumors.
• As per a 2000 preliminary study published in Fitoterapia, ash gourd juice significantly suppressed morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats. Thus, the juice holds the potential in treating patients with opioid addiction.
• A 1995 study published in the Jiangsu Journal of Agricultural Sciences found that compounds in ash gourd illustrated strong kidney protection benefits when tested in rats with kidney damage.
• A 2005 study published in the Iranian Journal of Pharmacology and Therapeutics affirms ash gourd’s traditional use as an anti-diarrheal agent.
• According to a 2010 study published in the International Journal of Pharmacology, methanolic extracts of ash gourd seeds showed strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential.
• A 2003 study outlined in the Korean Journal of Nutrition affirmed ash gourd’s traditional use as an anti-diabetic agent: when measured in rats, the vegetable’s powder positively affected glucose, insulin, cholesterol, free fatty acid, and HDL-cholesterol levels.
• According to a 2003 study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology, ash gourd extracts illustrated anti-depressant activities in rats.

Nutrition of Ash Gourd

While ash gourd is composed primarily of water (about 96%), it also boasts a variety of beneficial vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamine and riboflavin. Ash gourd is also a valuable source of minerals like iron, potassium, zinc, calcium and magnesium.  The gourd also provides a good amount of protein, carbohydrates and dietary fiber.

Nutritional value per 100 grams

Nutrients	Nutrient Value
Total Fat	3.9 g
Saturated Fat	0.5 g
Total Carbohydrate	12.5 g
Dietary Fiber	0.6 g
Protein	2 g
Sodium	33 mg
Potassium	359 mg
Vitamin A	9.80 %
Vitamin B6	11.30 %
Vitamin C	30.50 %
Vitamin E	1.10 %
Calcium	5.10 %
Magnesium	6.70 %
Phosphorus	5.00 %
Zinc	7.20 %
Iron	5.70 %
Manganese	12.50 %
Iodine	5.90 %

Taste and Use

The taste of ash gourd is very mild, like a cucumber. It has virtually no taste of its own, so it is easy to incorporate into all kinds of salads, smoothies, and juices on hot days. On colder days, you can add either honey or black pepper to the melon to reduce the natural cooling qualities in the fruit while retaining its raw energy boost. To retain maximum vital energy, ash gourd should be eaten raw.

Finding and Choosing

Ash gourd is widely cultivated in India, Bangladesh, Southern China and other parts of South East Asia. Outside of Asia, while ash gourd may not be stocked by your local supermarket, in most cities it can be found at Chinese markets, Indian markets, or international farmers’ markets.

When selecting an ash gourd, choose a gourd with no bruised marks or indentations. The melon should feel heavy for its size, and can be recognized as being approximately the same size, shape and color of a watermelon, but with a characteristic white, ash-coated surface. This powder is harmless to eat, but becomes sticky when it is wet. It should be rinsed from the surface before slicing the melon open. The interior should be white with a crisp and even texture. Uncut, an ash gourd will keep for a month or more in a cool, dry storage area.

Ash Gourd Juice Benefits – ER Nurse Discovers a Healthy Energy Boost

Because of her participation in the Inner Engineering program, Los Angeles resident Jennifer Carlson has learned a few uncommon Yogic recipes to healthfully boost her energy without stimulants. For Jennifer, these simple recipes, in combination with the daily Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya practice she learned during the program, helped her eliminate a serious caffeine dependency that was robbing her of her health. This meditation and simple dietary additions can provide an alternative method of maintaining high levels of energy throughout the day.

“I am a night-shift nurse, which means I work as long as 12 hours through the night. In an emergency room situation, every moment someone’s life depends on my alertness,” Jennifer emphasized. “I used to drink coffee and soda throughout my shift to maintain my effectiveness. When I came home, I was completely drained, nauseous, and jittery. I would have to eat something really heavy just so I could settle my stomach and sleep for a few hours – then I would begin this cycle all over again. The night-shift was taking such a huge toll on my body. Mentally also, I was feeling depressed. I knew I couldn’t survive this much longer, but I value my career.”

Then Jennifer remembered a dietary tip she learned in the Inner Engineering program. “Sadhguru mentioned a white melon that naturally cools the system and gives a natural energy boost without caffeine or other stimulants,” she said. Desperate for something to replace caffeine, she tried it. “It has helped dramatically. It makes me feel highly energized and alert, but not at all jittery, nervous or agitated like coffee does – there’s no subsequent ‘crash’ after. It gives me a really healthy-feeling boost, not an adrenaline rush.”

“This one addition to my diet, in combination with my daily meditation practice, has enabled me to break the unhealthy cycle of ups-and-downs. I drink 2-3 glasses of ash gourd juice while I am at work to stay energized through the night, and then I sit for about 20 minutes of meditation when my shift is over to rest and re-charge my system,” Jennifer explained. “My Shambhavi practice also greatly reduces my need for sleep. So when I come home now, I eat a healthy meal and then sleep for about 5-6 hours.” Together, these simple lifestyle changes have even allowed Jennifer to spend time with her kids after school and make them dinner before she goes off to work again.

Five Ash Gourd Recipes

#1 Ash Gourd Juice

Ingredients

• Ash gourd, 4-5 inch sized – 1
• Lemon juice – 6 tsp
• Black pepper powder – 3 tsp
• Salt – 3 tsp

Method

• Cut ash gourd, remove skin and seeds
• Blend to a smooth puree
• Strain
• Add lemon juice, black pepper powder and salt

#2 Ash Gourd and Watermelon Smoothie

• Blend equal parts ash gourd and watermelon in a blender with water or plain yogurt and add honey or agave syrup to taste.

#3 Ash Gourd Raita

• Grate ash gourd and mix with plain yogurt, add lemon or lime juice, salt, black pepper, and a sprinkling of roasted cumin seeds. (Raita makes a great contrasting accompaniment to any spicy Indian or Mexican dish)

#4 Lime and Ash Gourd Cooler

• Juice 2-3 cups of ash gourd in a juicer, add fresh lime juice and salt to taste. Blend in a sprig of mint or cilantro for a fresh twist.

#5 Ash Gourd Halwa

• Click here for this simple, nutritious and delicious ash gourd halwa recipe.

The Indian Vegan