Dishcloth Gourd

Six species of unpleasant-smelling, climbing annuals related to cucumbers and melons belong to this genus, which occurs throughout the tropics. Luffa cylindrica may be grown outdoors in warm regions, or under cover in a cold climate. It is a suprisingly useful plant, producing edible leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, oil and fibrous materials. The large fruits contain a sponge-like network of fibers-the familiar bathroom loofah-which persists long after the flesh has decayed, being resistant to molds, even when regularly wetted. Loofahs stimulate the kin and circulation and are especially popular for exfoliant treatments. Fibers of fully ripe loofah fruits have been used in traditional Chinese medicine since the 10th century CE. Pieces of loofah are boiled in water to make a strong decoction for internal use or gently heated in a sealed container until reduced for charcoal for external application. Before World War II, 60 percent of the harvest in the USA was used to filter out oil from water in ships' boilers. Japan is now the main producer. Luffa and "Loofah" are from the Arabic name for the plant.

Annual, tendril-bearing climber with large, bristly leaves to 20cm (8in) long. Male and female flowers are yellow ans strongly veined: males have shorter stalks than females. Cylindrical, green fruits, to 50cm (20in) long, turn yellow when ripe.


Common Name:
Dishcloth Gourd
Other Names:
Loofah, sponge gourd, vine okra
Botanical Name:
Luffa cylindrica syn L. aegyptica
Genus:
Luffa
Family:
Cucurbitaceae
Cultivation:
Rich, sandy soil in sun. Pinch out side branches when the first fruit is set to encourage development. Shorten growths as necessary to train against a wall or trellis. Spider mites, whitefly, and aphids may attack plants under cover.
Propagation:
By seed sown in spring
Harvest:
Leaves and flowers are cut as required and used fresh. Fruits are cut when 15cm (6in) long for culinary use or left on vine to dry, before skinning and retting to clean flesh from fibers. Seeds are pressed for oil.
Native Location:
Tropical Africa and Asia
Height:
15m (50ft)
Hardiness:
min. 10°C (50°F)
Parts Used:
Fruits, fibers (si gua luo), seeds, oil.
Properties:
An astringent, painkilling herb that controls bleeding, promotes healing, improves circulation, and increases milk flow. It acts mainly on the lungs, liver and stomach.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for rheumatism, chest pains, backache, orchitis, hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhage, and insufficient lactation. Externally for shingles and boils. Dried fruit fibers are used as abrasive sponges in skin care to remove dead skin and stimulate peripheral circulation.
Culinary Uses:
Young fruits are eaten raw like cucumbers, cooked like squash, pickled or dried. Young leaves, shoot tips, flower buds, and flowers are eaten lightly steamed. Seeds are roasted as a snack, made into tofu-like product, or pressed for cooking oil.
Economic Uses:
Ripe, cleaned loofahs are used like bath sponges, and provide material for shock-absorbent helmets.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp 266-267