Cucurbitas, Gourd

Tukhm Kadu (Bottle Gourd seed) (Unani)

Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640

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Botanical name:
Various species from the Curcibitaceae, especially from the following 2 genus:
  1. Cucurbitas spp., including varieties of C. pepo and C. maxima
  2. Lagenaria: Lagenaria siceraria, L. vulgaris (Bottle or White Gourd; Sweet variety is used as a source of the Seeds)

Parts used:
Seed kernel

Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist. Sweet

Uses:
1. One of the 4 Greater Cold seeds:
-see our article on the Greater Cold Seeds

Dose:
Decoction: 10–30 grams
Powder: 1–4 grams

Main Combinations:
One of the Four Greater Cold Seeds

Major Formulas:
Decoction of Fruit
Syrup Against Consumption
Syrup of Marshmallow (Fernel)
Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Frigidum) (Nicholas)
Powder for Bladder Abscess of Alexander Benedictus
Powder for the Lungs (Wirtzung)
Powder for Palpitation from Heat
Powder of Haly (Haly)
Powder of Three Sandalwoods (Diatrisantalum) (Mesue)
Bolus of Seeds (Unani)
Sugar Penid (Diapenidon Frigidum) (Nichoals)
Tragacanth Cooling Powder (Diatragacanth Frigidum) (Nicholas)
Troches of Gordon (Trochisci Gordonii)
Troches of Sandalwoods (Trochisci Santalon) (Mesue)
Troches of Winter Cherry (Trochisci Alkekengi) (Mesue)
Abbots Confect of Rose (Diarrhodon Abbatis) (Nicholas)
Electuary of Seeds
Restorative Electuary (Antidotus Analeptica) (Nicholas)

Cautions:
1. Not suitable for Cold and Weak Digestion.

Main Preparations used:
Distilled Water of the Unripe fruit was used for inflammations of the Eyes and Ears, and taken internally to abate Heat