Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng.Family: Cucurbitaceae
Synonyms: Momordica macrophylla Gage, Momordica meloniflora Hand.-Mazz. , Momordica mixta Roxb., Muricia cochinchinensis Lour., Zucca commersoniana Ser.
Common name: Chinese Cucumber, Spiny bitter-cucumber, Chinese bitter-cucumber
Assamese: Bhat kerala, ভাত_কেৰেলা
Azerbaijani: Koxinxin_momordiki
Bengali: গোলককরা Golkakra
Chinese: 木鱉果
Esperanto: Gako
Hindi: ककुर Kakur, कंटोला Kantola, ककरोल Kakrol
Japanese: ナンバンカラスウリ, makubet sushi
Malayalam: Kshudramalakasanda, മുള്ളൻ പാവൽ
Manipuri: কারোত Karot
Marathi: Gulkakra
Persian: کدو خاردار
Polish: Przepękla indochińska
Russian: Момордика кохинхинская
Sanskrit: Katamala
Tamil: Tholoo-pavai, Paluppakai, Kaattupaagala.
Telugu: Varivalli
Thai: ฟักข้าว
Physical description: It is a dioecious, stout and perennial climber which grows in India, Southeast Asia and China. The stems are pilose at the apex and rugose. Leaves: simple, alternate and without stipules. The petiole is 1.5 cm–2.7 cm long and thin, pilose at first, somewhat twisted, and channeled. The blade is cordate, leathery, 6 cm–12 cm × 7 cm–9 cm and molted with numerous microscopic 2–5-lobed bodies underneath. The margin is recurved and laxly toothed. The blade shows 4–8 pairs of secondary nerves.The tertiary nerves are scalariform, and the midrib is raised on both surfaces of the blade.The tendrils are axillary, spring-shaped and 4.5 cm–12 cm long. The inflorescences are axillary and solitary. The flower pedicels are 2.5 cm–15 cm long, angularly furrowed and pilose. The calyx is pilose, 5-lobed, 1.3 cm–1.6 cm long, and the sepals are oblong, lanceolate and acute. The corolla is white, tinged with yellow, and consists of 5, 5.7 cm × 2.5 cm, obovate and oblong petals. The fruits are 4 cm–10 cm in diameter, globose, spiny red berries. The seeds are compressed and ovoid. [Medicinal Plants of the Aisa-Pacific: Drugs for the Future]
Used to treatment of inflammatory swelling, scrofula, tinea, diarrhea as well as suppurative skin infections such as sore, carbuncles, furuncles and boils in both humans and animals . The seeds are thought to have resolvent and cooling properties, and are used for liver and spleen disorders, wounds, hemorrhoids, bruises, swelling, and pus. In Vietnam, gac is prized by natives for promoting longevity and vitality. The oil is recommended for the treatment of children rickets, xerophthalmia, nyctalopia, poor appetite and general weakness. It is benefi cial for pregnant and breast feeding women. It is also laxative and used for constipation and also for diarrhoea. The oil is applied externally for wounds, burns and sores. The oil in combination with antibiotics is used for acne. [Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants].
Leaf and fruit—used externally for lumbago, ulceration, fracture of bone. Seed—bechic, aperient, emmenagogue, antiinflammatory, deobstruent. (Used for obstructions of liver and spleen). [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]
Uses: In Burma, the seeds of Momordica cochinchinensis (Lour.) Spreng. are eaten to assuage chest pain. In China, the seeds are eaten to treat fluxes, liver diseases, hemorrhoids, breast cancer and malaria, and to heal wounds and ulcers. In Indonesia, the leaves are applied externally to swollen legs. In Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, the seeds are used to
counteract putrefaction of the skin. In the Philippines, the roots are used to produce soap. [Medicinal Plants of the Aisa-Pacific: Drugs for the Future]
116 Published articles of Momordica cochinchinensis
