Wax gourd

Names

Common Names

• Wax gourd
• Chinese preserving-melon
• Chinese-watermelon
• ash gourd
• ash-pumpkin
• wax gourd
• white gourd
• white-pumpkin
• winter-melon
• Winter Melon

Regional and Traditional Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Benincasa vacua
• Benincasa hispida var. chieh-qua
• Cucurbita cerifera
• Cucurbita farinosa
• Cucurbita hispida
• Cucurbita littoralis
• Cucurbita villosa
• Gymnopetalum septemlobum
• Cucurbita pruriens
• Lagenaria dasystemon
• Benincasa cerifera
• Cucurbita alba
• Benincasa pruriens f. hispida
• Lagenaria vulgaris var. hispida
• Lagenaria siceraria var. hispida
• Cucurbita vacua
• Lagenaria leucantha var. hispida
• Pepo farinosus
• Pepo villosus
• Benincasa cerifera f. emarginata
• Benincasa sinensis

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Cucurbitales, falling into the family Cucurbitaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Benincasa.

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions of Asia. In China, its distribution is widespread, covering the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast areas. Moving further east, the species is also documented within the territory of Korea. Additionally, the plant can be found in the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the Assam region. Together, these locations highlight its presence across diverse East and South Asian landscapes.

Plant Parts

Chemicals

Benincasa hispida has 32 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include linoleic acid, Alnusenol, Ash, CALCIUM, Chitinase.

linoleic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of oleo science

Alnusenol

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Chitinase

1. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

Isomultiflorenyl acetate

1. Dr. Duke

Lupeol

1. Indian journal of experimental biology

Activities

Benincasa hispida has 289 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Acaricide.

Most Reported Activities

Medicinal Uses

Benincasa hispida has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, arthritis, blood sugar, cancer, diabetes mellitus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations