Organic Petola/Luffa 350g Malaysia

Origin: Malaysia
Status: Organic
Certification: NASAA
Highlights: Organic Petola or Luffa (Luffa acutangula) 丝瓜 Sī guā, is a widely cultivated plant found in India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan and Egypt, belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. It has a similar taste to zucchini and is enjoyed locally in soups or stir-fried with eggs and fermented black beans. Usually the ridges and outer skin are removed before cooking.

It is a plant rich in phytochemicals including flavonoids, anthraquinones, proteins, fatty acids, and saponin triterpene. These contribute to its broad pharmacological activities including an anti-inflammatory action, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, anticancer, immunomodulatory, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and CNS depressant.

In Ayurveda, it has been used in the treatment of jaundice, diabetes, haemorrhoids, dysentery, headache, ringworm infection, and leprosy.

Organic Petola/Luffa is though to have blood purifying properties which help to restore and nourish the liver, even protecting it from alcohol damage. As a good source of betacarotene it helps improve eye health, supports the  immune system and improves the quality of skin and mucous membranes. Rich in water soluble vitamins B & C it also contains zinc, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium and manganese.

It is a useful source of fibre with cellulose which helps to improve constipation, while the charantin present in the luffa has insulin regulatory properties and helps to lower blood sugar and urine sugar levels.