Ash Gourd
12 kcal. Ayurveda's most respected cooling and mental clarity vegetable.
Ash gourd (Benincasa hispida), called petha in Hindi and budida gummadi in Telugu, is one of Ayurveda's 'medhya rasayana' — plants specifically classified as cognitive enhancers and nervous system tonics. At 12 kcal per 100g, it's among the lowest-calorie vegetables in existence, with 96% water content and alkalising minerals.
Good for
- Hydration
- Weight management
- Calming inflammation
Watch for
No specific contraindications.
Mental clarity (Medhya rasayana)
Alkalising compounds, FlavonoidsClassified in Ayurveda as a medhya rasayana — a cognitive tonic. Animal studies suggest neuroprotective properties via antioxidant activity in brain tissue. Traditional use for anxiety, insomnia, and mental fatigue.
Extreme weight management base
Structured water12 kcal per 100g with 96% water — the lowest calorie-to-volume ratio of any vegetable used in juice. Provides bulk and satiety without any caloric contribution.
Kidney and urinary health
Alkaline mineralsTraditional Ayurvedic use for kidney stones — ash gourd juice increases urine volume and reduces urinary calcium concentration, inhibiting stone formation.
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 12 kcal |
| Water | 96.1g per 100g |
| Vitamin C | 13mg |
| Calcium | 19mg |
| Potassium | 6mg |
| Iron | 0.4mg |
The medhya rasayana classification in Ayurveda has been validated for some plants through modern neuroscience. Ash gourd's specific mechanism is less studied than ashwagandha or brahmi, but its alkalising effect and flavonoid content are consistent with neuroprotection. SAFETY: Same cucurbitacin risk as bottle gourd — taste before juicing, discard if bitter.
- Grover JK & Yadav SP (2004). Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica charantia. J Ethnopharmacol.
- Market
- Local Kukatpally vendors, Hyderabad
- Distance
- 5–10km
- Restocked
- Every 2–3 days
- Freshness
- Pressed same day as purchase
- Notes
- Large, pale-grey/green specimens preferred. Very long shelf life compared to other gourds.
Do
- Use as a neutral base — absorbs flavours of stronger ingredients
- Excellent for weight management blends — 12 kcal/100g
Don't
- ⚠️ Taste before juicing — rare bitter specimens contain cucurbitacins
- Don't expect strong flavour — ash gourd is the canvas, not the paint
Ash gourd can be stored for an entire year without refrigeration — longer than almost any other vegetable. This extraordinary shelf life made it a critical food security crop in South and Southeast Asia for centuries. The white waxy coating on the skin is a natural preservative.
Have us press it
fresh for you.
First week is free. Skip the shopping list, the peeling, the press — we deliver ash gourd in its freshest form.