Ash Pumpkin

A genus consisting of a single species of tender, climbing or trailing, annual vine, which is naturalized in many warm countries. It is exceptionally fast-growing, averaging 2.5cm (1in) per hour. Wax gourds are widely cultivated for their edible fruits, which store well, and are a source of wax (petha) for candles. Chinese medicinal uses were first recorded in the Tang Materia Medica (CE659). These fruits are eaten in China in reduction diets. Research has shown that they contain anti-cancer terpenes.

Climbing annual with hairy stems, forked tendrils and palmately lobed, hairy leaves to 25cm (10in) long. Male and female flowers are borne seperately on the same plant. They are bell-shaped, and yellow: males are 5-17cm (2-7in) in length on stalks, and females are 2.5-4cm (1-1½in). Pollinated female flowers grow into dark green fruits, 25-40cm (10-16in) long, with white flesh. The skin is coated in wax, giving a white bloom.

Common Name:	Ash pumpkin
Other Names:	White gourd, Wax gourd, winter melon
Botanical Name:	Benincasa hispida
Genus:	Benincasa
Family:	Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation:	Well-drained, rich soil in sun, with ample water.
Propagation:	By seed sown in spring at 18°C (64°F).
Harvest:	Fruits are picked as required. Seeds and rind from ripe fruits are dried for decoctions.
Native Location:	Tropical Asia and Africa
Height:	6m (20ft)
Hardiness:	Min. 16°C (61°F)
Parts Used:	Fruit rind (dong gua pi), seeds (dong gua zi or dong gua ren)
Properties:	A cooling, pleasant-tasting herb that has diuretic effects (fruit rind), is anti-inflammatory and expectorant, and lowers fevers (seeds).
Medicinal Uses:	Internally, in Chinese medicine, for urinary dysfunction and summer fevers (rind); cough characterized by thick phlegm, internal abscesses, and vaginal discharge (seeds). Internally, in Ayurvedic medicine, for epilepsy, lung disease, asthma, coughs and hiccoughs, urine retention, internal hemorrhage (fruit); diabetes (rind), tapeworm (seeds); as an antidote to poisoning from mercury, alcohol, snakebite, and toxic plants (fresh juice).
Culinary Uses:	Mature fruits are eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable, especially in curries, or made into sweet pickles, preserves, and candy. They are the main ingredient in tung kwa chung (water melon pond) a classic Chinese dish in which the fruits are de-seeded and filled with soup before steaming. Immature fruits, young leaves, and flower buds are stir-fried or steamed. Ripe fruits are candied, often as an adulterant of citron. Seeds are eaten fried or roasted.
Economic Uses:	Wax is scraped from the rind to make candles.
Bibliography:	Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 142