28 Aug Snake Gourd Stir Fry (tri-doshic)

Snake gourd (Trichosanthes Cucumerina) is a wild fruit found in India, some parts of Asia and the northern region of Australia. It is a vine which climbs trees and unfurls flowers and fruits that hang to the ground.

When purchasing snake gourd, look for fruits with a dark green color and a firm consistency (like a cucumber). It should not have any “wrinkles”.

Snake gourd has been used in traditional medicine and Ayurveda for centuries due to its many health benefits. It strengthens Agni (digestive fire) which supports the immune system. It is a diuretic and detoxifies the body, improves strength of the hair and aids in weight loss. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cholesterol, anti-cancer and mild analgesic properties. Snake Gourd calms a hyperactive mind and helps reduce stress.

It’s fiber rich and helps remove constipation, bloating and flatulence. It reduces acidity production and is beneficial in GERD, acid reflux and heartburn.

Snake gourd is bitter and cooling, so it is ideal to pacify pitta imbalances. The recipe below is well cooked and spiced to be beneficial to all doshas.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon ghee
1 teaspoon urad dal
1 teaspoon chana dal
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
pinch hing
5 curry leaves
1 snake gourd, washed, chopped into ½ inch size
½ teaspoon Himalayan salt
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
½ cup coconut, grated
1 teaspoon red chili, chopped

In a large fry pan, add the ghee and melt over medium heat. Add the urad dal and chana dal. Sauté until the urad dal turns light brown. Add the mustard seeds, turmeric, hing and curry leaves. Sauté until mustard seeds pop, about 1 minute.

Add the snake gourd and sprinkle with salt. Stir fry to coat the snake gourd with the spices. Add the cumin, coconut and red chili. Add the water, reduce heat to low and cover. Let simmer until the snake gourd is tender.

Serve with rice.

Studies showing snake gourd health benefits:
• Traditional Chinese Medicines in Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3092648/
• Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. improves glucose tolerance and tissue glycogen in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus induced rats, https://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2008;volume=40;issue=3;spage=103;epage=106;aulast=Kirana
• Cardioprotective Activity of Methanol Extract of fruit of Trichosanthes cucumerina on Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity in Wistar Rats, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3388762/
• Hepatoprotective effect of Trichosanthes cucumerina Var cucumerina L. on carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19429383/
• Gastroprotective activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina in rats, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874109007338
• Antiproliferative effect of Cucurbitacin B extracted from Trichosanthes cucumerina L. on human cancer cell lines, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272387855_Antiproliferative_effect_of_Cucurbitacin_B_extracted_from_Trichosanthes_cucumerina_L_on_human_cancer_cell_lines
• Study of Antioxidant, Analgesic and Antiulcer Potential of Trichosanthes cucumerina Ethanolic Seeds Extract, https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=ajps.2012.235.240

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