One of the things you should add to your healthy living goal is eating more vegetables.

Some of you are

aware of the benefits of organic fruits and vegetables and packed with incredible nutrients but they are so
green and so boring. Well, perhaps you are only consuming vegetables commonly found in the market such
as spinach, kale and bean. If that so, of course you will get bored easily. That’s why you need to try more
types of vegetables, the more unique they are, the better. Have you heard about calabash? Calabash is
mostly well known as ‘another variety of gourd’ though in some countries, they consider them as ‘another
variety of squash’. Not only the name and the appearance of calabash that is unique, you will be surprised of
the health benefits of calabash as well.

What Is Calabash?
You should know that there are some varieties of calabash but the most popular one is well known as bottle
gourd due to its unique appearance which is similar to bottle and traditionally used as water container. The
young fruit is harvested and consumed as vegetables when the skin is still soft. When calabash has reached
mature age, instead of being consumed, the fruit will be dried and used as utensil, bottle or even pipe. The fact
that calabash is currently cultivated in Asia, Africa, America and Europe make it difficult to find the origin of
this fruit though some researches have stated the possibility of Africa as the origin of this plant which is best to
be growth in tropical and subtropical climate.

Nutritional Values of Calabash

Just like any vegetables, calabash is super low in calories and fats but packed with dietary fiber. Just like most
of vegetables that come from cucumber family, most part of calabash is water, which is up to 96% of calabash
is water. Not only that, calabash is also packed with certain vitamins and minerals. For more information,
below is the list of health benefits of calabash.

1. Great for Constipation

There are two reasons why calabash is great for constipation. First, calabash is rich of both soluble and non-
soluble fiber and second, most of calabash is made of water. The combination of health benefits of fiber and
water is great to fight constipation and other stomach problems.
2. May Help Fighting Cancer

All vegetables that are packed with antioxidants are great to fight cancer and calabash is among vegetables
which contain potent antioxidants. Some studies have been conducted in order to support this claim and the
result is positive.

3. Great for Diet and Weight Loss

During weight loss diet, consuming more vegetables is highly recommended and calabash is among the low
calories vegetables you should add to your diet. Moreover, calabash is packed with several vitamins and
minerals to fulfill your daily intake and optimize the metabolism during diet.

4. Promotes Heart Health

Calabash contains several minerals like potassium and sodium which have been proven to help promoting
hearth health. The main health benefits of potassium and sodium will help in regulating the symptoms of high
blood pressure and maintaining the heart health.
5. Excellent for Liver

There are several studies have been conducted in order to support the claim that calabash may be excellent for
liver health. Those studies also stated that calabash is the natural healing solution due to its anti-inflammation
properties found in calabash.

6. Prevents Fatigue

One of the common symptoms of dehydration is fatigue. Calabash contains enough water to help hydrating
your body. Moreover, calabash contains several properties that will keep your body cool during hot days to
prevent further fluid loss.
7. Balances pH Level

Not everyone knows that imbalance pH level is the root of several health problems. Consuming foods that
could help balancing pH level may help prevent several health problems. So, why don’t you add calabash to
your diet?

8. May Help Reducing Insomnia

There are a lot of factors that could cause insomnia. It is a condition that you should find the root of the
problem to deal with it. However, as short term solution, you could have calabash as your dinner and help you
having a good night sleep.

9. Promotes Healthy Hair

Not everyone knows that calabash contains some active compounds that are actually great for hair. There are
claims that stated consuming calabash regularly could help maintaining healthy hair and preventing it from
getting gray, though further studies regarding that claim are strongly required.

10. Beneficial for Diabetic Patient

Since calabash low in calories, this vegetable is great for diabetic patients. Once a person has been diagnosed
with certain types of diabetes, managing the daily diet is the hardest thing that person should do. It is because
 there is no way to cure diabetes completely but diabetes could be managed through healthy diet and healthy
lifestyle.
11. Treats Asthma

Asthma is one of the respiratory problems caused by allergic reaction, though not many people realize about
that fact. There is no cure for asthma but you could reduce the symptoms of asthma and calabash contains
some active compounds that could help in reducing the symptoms.
12. Antidote for Food Poisoning

Though further studies about this claim should be conducted but traditionally, calabash has been used by
people as antidote for food poisoning. However, one important thing note is, you may use calabash as first aid
solution but meeting a doctor is highly recommended when it comes to food poisoning.

Cautions of Calabash

Besides the health benefits of calabash you should aware of the cautions as well. It comes from the same
member family of cucumber, gourd and squash with similar characteristic of a trace of bitter taste.

 The bitter taste found in calabash is the indication of cucurbitacins which is very toxic in high dosage. The
riper the calabash is the bitter it will be. That is why calabash is harvested when it is still young.
 One of the ways to avoid the toxic properties is by properly cooking it. Some people may try to make it into
calabash juice which is quite dangerous especially when you combine it with other types of gourd because
they though the bitter the juice is the better. When the fact is the bitter the juice is more dangerous it will be.
 Those who have stomach problem should avoid consuming calabash because cucurbitacins could cause
ulcers in the stomach.

The safest way to get all the health benefits of calabash is by making sure it is properly cooked. You could test
the taste of calabash first before you cook it and discard it right away if the taste is to bitter. Calabash is among
exotic fruit that is commonly consumed as vegetables. If you are currently getting bored with the vegetables
you commonly have, adding calabash to your diet is highly recommended.

written by Eka Arifin February 7, 2018

https://drhealthbenefits.com/food-bevarages/vegetables/health-benefits-calabash

Botany
Cujete is a smooth, much-branched tree growing to a height of 4 to 5 meters.
Branches are arching with close-set clusters of leaves. Leaves are alternate,
often fascicled at the nodes, oblanceolate, 5 to 17 centimeters long, glossy at
the upper surface, blunt at the tip and narrowed at the base. Flowers develop
from the buds that grow from the main trunk, yellowish and sometimes veined
with purple, with a slightly foetid odor, occurring singly or in pairs at the leaf
axils, stalked and about 6 centimeters long, and opens in the evening. Calyx
is about 2 centimeters long, and split into two lobes. Fruit is short-stemmed,
rounded, oval or oblong, green or purplish, 15 to 20 centimeters in diameter.

Distribution
- Occasionally
cultivated for
ornamental
purposes.
- Recently
introduced from
tropical America.

Constituents
• Phytochemical
studies of the
fresh fruit pulp
report the
presence of
crescentic acid,
tartaric acid,
citric, and tannic
acids, two resins
and a coloring
matter than
resembles indigo.
• Studies yielded tartaric acid, cianhidric acid, citric acid, crescentic acid,
tannins, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, alpha and beta amyrins, estearic acid,
palmitic acid.
• Study yielded flavonoids quercetin, apigenin with anti-inflammatory,
antihemorrhagic and anti-platelet aggregation activities.
• Leaves have yielded naphthoquinone, iridoid glycosides, aucubin,
plumieride, and asperuloside.
• Phytochemical study of the fruit yielded eight new compounds, along with
four known compounds, acanthoside D, ß-D-glucopransoyl benzoate, (R)-1-0-
ß-glucopyranosyl-1,3-octanediol.
• Fruit yielded four new 11-nor-iridoids: 6-O-p-hydroxybenzoyl-10-
deoxyeucommiol, 6-O-benzoyl-10-deoxyeucommiol, 6-O-benzoyl-
dihydrocatalpolgenine (a mixture of 3 and 4) with two known iridoids,
ningpogenin and 6-O-p-hydroxybenzoylaucubin. (14)
• Study analyzed nutritive and anti-nutritive compositions of fruit pulp in both
wet and dry samples: ash 3.74% (dry), ether extract, 4.38% (wet); crude
protein 7.67% W, 10.01% D; crude fiber 4.88% D; carbohydrate 15.65% W,
68.13% D. Sodium (Na) showed high value of 3.20% W and o.32% D. (see
study below) (3)
• Phytochemical study on the fruit yielded saponins, flavonoid, cardenolides,
tannins, and phenol, as well as the presence of hydrogen cyanide. Results
also showed relatively low mean concentrations for heavy metals, but high
mean concentrations for manganese, iron, zinc, and copper. Values for fat,
protein, nitrogen, crude fibre, moisture content, sucrose, fructose, galactose
and energy content are quite high viz; 1.13, 8.35, 1.34, 4.28, 84.92, 59.86,
25.09, 18.24 and 88.69%, respectively. (16)
• Constituent analysis of sarcocarp yielded 18 compounds, viz., ningpogenin
(1), 6-O-p-hydroxylbenzoyl-aucubin (2), 3,3′-bisdemethylpinoresinol (3),
(22E,24R)-ergosta-7,22-dien-3β-ol (4), ergosta-4,6,8 (4), 22-dien-3-one (5),
cerevisterol (6), 5α,8α-epidiory-(22E,24R)-ergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol (7), β-
sitosterol (8), daucosterol (9), 3β,5α,9α-trihydroxyergosta-7,22-dien-6-one
(10), ergosta-7,22-dien-3-one (11), sesquiterpene (12), 4-
hydroxybenzonicacid (13), benzoic acid (14), p-hydroxybenzylethanol (15), p-
hydroxybenzylalcohol (16), D-allitol (17), 5-hydroxymethyl-2-
furancarboxaldehyde (18). (27)
• Study of C. cujete seed and oil showed saturated acid content of mixed fatty
acids: saturated acids 19.7%, oleic acid 59.4%, linoleic acid 19.3%, and
linolenic acid 1.6%. In comparison of seed oil with peanut and olive oil, except
for the presence of small amount of linolenic acid in peanut the oils are
similar. (28)
• Study of essential oil by hydrodistillation of leaf by GC-MS analysis yielded
12 compounds accounting for 98.2% of total oil contents. Major constituents
were kaur-16-ene (33.6%) and phytol (29.9%), along with trans-pinane (8.3%)
and hexadecanal (4.6%), (Z)-9, 17-occtadecadienal (3.4%), neophytadiene
(2.3%), selina-4(15), 6-diene (1.2%), and allo-aromadendrene (1.0%). (29)
• Phytochemical screening of fruits yielded alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac
glycosides, reducing sugars, saponins, tannins, phytosterols, and terpenoids
in the fresh cujete fruit. (see study below) (33)
• Proximate composition analysis of leaves yielded carbohydrate (40.46%),
crude protein (16.51%). crude fiber (19.71%), crude fat (2.91%), ash (9.77%),
and moisture (11.03%), while screening confirmed the presence of cardiac
glycosides, saponins, tannins, anthraquinones, and flavonoids. Mineral
analysis (mg/g) yielded in decreasing order: Ca (6.0) > K (5.0) > Mg (2.2) > P
(1.5) > Na (0.2) Fe=Zn (0.6) . Cu=Mn (0.03). (37)
• Study of stem bark yielded alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids,
terpenoids, steroids, resins, carbohydrates, proteins and fatty oils. (see study
below) (38)
- Bioassay-directed fractionations of MeCOEt extract C. cujete isolated (25-
3S)-3-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxydehydroiso-α-lapachone (1), (2R)-5,6-
dimethoxydehydroiso-α-lapachone (2), (2R)-5- methoxydehydroiso-α-
lapachone (3), 2-((1-hydroxyethyl)naphtho(2,3,-b)furan-4,9-dione (4), 5-
hydroxy-2-(1-hydroxyethyl)nahtho(2,3-b)furan-4,9-dione (5), 2-
isopropenylnapththo92,3-b)furan-4,9-dione (6), and 5-hydroxydehydroiso-α-
lapachone (7). (see study below) (4)

Properties
• Fruit considered aperient, laxative, expectorant.
• Considered anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, febrifuge, laxative.
• Studies have suggested antibacterial, antidiabetic, snake venom
neutralizing, anti-angiogenic, CNS depressant, antimycobacterial, anti-
inflammatory, cytotoxic, wound healing, anti-platelet aggregation, anthelmintic
properties.

Parts used
Fruit, bark, leaves.

Uses
Folkloric
• In India, used as a pectoral, the poultice of pulp is applied to the chest.
• In the West Indies, syrup prepared from the pulp used for dysentery and skin
diseases; also used as pectoral.
• In Rio de Janeiro, the alcoholic extract of the not-quite ripe fruit used to
relieve constipation
• For erysipelas, the fresh pulp is boiled in water to form a black paste, mixed
and boiled with vinegar, spread on linen for dermatologic application.
• The bark is used for mucoid diarrhea.
• Fruit pulp used as laxative and expectorant.
• In the Antilles and Western Africa, fruit pulp macerated in water is
considered depurative, cooling and febrifuge, and applied to burns and
headaches.
• In West Africa, fruit roasted in ashes is purgative and diuretic.
• In Sumatra, bark decoction used to clean wounds and pounded leaves used
as poultice for headaches.
• Internally, leaves used as diuretic.
• Throughout the Caribbean, used as analgesic and anti-inflammatory
• In the Antilles, fresh tops and leaves are ground and used as topical for
wounds and as cicatrizant.
• In Venezuela, decoction of bark used for diarrhea. Also, used to treat
hematomas and tumors.
• In Costa Rica, used as purgative.
• In Cote-d'Ivoire, used for hypertension because of its diuretic effect.
• In Columbia, used for respiratory afflictions.
• In Vietnam, used as expectorant, antitussive, laxative and stomachic. Fruit
decoction used to treat diarrhea, stomachaches, cold, bronchitis, cough,
asthma, and urethritis.
• In Haiti, the fruit of Crescentia cujete is part of the herbal mixtures reported
in its traditional medicine. In the province of Camaguey in Cuba, is considered
a panacea.
• In Panama, where it is called totumo, the fruit is used for diarrhea and
stomachaches. Also for respiratory ailments, bronchitis, cough, colds,
toothaches. headaches, menstrual irregularities; as laxative, anti-
inflammatory, febrifuge. The leaves are used for hypertension.
• Leaves used to lower blood pressure. Bark decoction used to clean wounds,
treat hematomoas and tumors. Pulp syrup used to treat dysentery and
stomachache. (37)
Others
• Crafts / Household wares: In some countries, the dried shell of the fruit is
used to make bowls for drinking water, wine, tea or holding fruit or food. Shells
used in craft, decorated with paintings or carvings. Also used in bags or other
containers.
• Musical tool: Used in making maracas or musical rattle.
• Cigarette paper: In Brazil, the fibrous lining of the fruit is sometimes used as
a substitute for cigarette paper.
• Orchid perch: A favorite perch for orchids.
Studies

• Phytochemicals / Fruits:Previous studies have yielded naphthoquinones

and iridoid glucosides. The fruits yielded 15 new compounds, 3 iridoid
glucosides, five iridoids, 3 2,4-pentanediol glycosides, along with known
compounds.
• Iridoids and Iridoid Glucosides / Fruits: Study fruit constituents yielded 16
iridoids and iridoid glucosides. Eight compounds were new, named
crescentins I-V and crescentosides A, B, and C. Another eight known
compounds were identified as ajugol, 6-O-p-hydroxybenzoylajugol, aucubin,
6-O-p- hydroxybenzoyl-6-epiaucubin, agnuside, ningpogenin, 5,7-
bisdeoxycynanchoside and a degradation product of glutinoside. (11)
• Nutritive and Anti-Nutritive Composition of Calabash Fruit: Pulp was
found to have high mineral concentrations; sodium, highest; calcium, lowest,
with high values of thiamine and found to be free from HCN toxicity and
suggests useful contributions to human health and nutrition. (see constituents
above) (3)
• Bioactive Furanonaphthoquinones: Study isolated new and known
bioactive compounds showing selective activity toward DNA-repair-deficient
yeast mutants. (see constituents above) (4)
• Antibacterial: In a study of extracts against E. coli and S. aureus,
Crescentia cujete showed activity against S. aureus.
• Antibacterial: Among several solvents used, only the ethanol extracts
showed significant antimicrobial activity against Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus
cereus, B. subtilis, B. megaterium and Staphylococcus aureus. (15)
• Snake Venom Neutralizing Effect: In a study of t5 plant extracts used by
traditional healers in Colombia for snakebites, 31 had moderate to high
neutralizing ability against the hemorrhagic effect of Bothrops atrox venom. C
cujete (unripe fruits) was one of 19 that showed moderate neutralization. (10)
• Antidiabetic: In a non experimental validation for antidiabetic activity, study
yields cyanhidric acid believed to stimulate insulin release. (13)
• Crude Oil from Calabash Seed: Crude seed oil was found to have the
following composition: saturated acids 19.7%, oleic acid 59.4%, linoleic acid
19.3%, linolenic acid 1.6%. Calabash oil is similar to peanut and olive oils
except for its content of linolenic acid, which is an unusual constituent for an
oil of low iodine number. (17)
• Antioxidant / Leaves and Stem Bark: Study evaluated leaves and bark
crude ethanol extracts for antioxidant activity using DPPH, FRP, and TAC
assays. Phytochemical screening yielded steroids, flavonoids, tannins,
glycosides, and terpenoids. The leaves showed significant free radical
scavenging properties compared to the stem bark. There was a clear
correlation between antioxidant activity and phenolic content. (18)
• Antivenom Activity / Leaves and Stem Bark: Study evaluated the
antivenom activity of ethanolic extracts of Crescentia cujete fruit in
experimental animals. Results showed significant neutralizing capacity of
snake Vipera russelli venom which may be beneficial in the treatment of
snake bites. (19)
• Anti-Angionesis Effect: Study of Calabash fruit epicarp showed dose-
dependent (100% concentration) antiangiogenic effect on chick embryo.
Results suggest a potential for halting tumor revascularization. (20)
• CNS Depressant Effect: Study evaluated the CNS depressant properties of
a crude extract of pulp of fruit of C. cujete. There was significant dose
dependent reduction in rearing, grooming, locomotor activity and head dips in
mice with an anxiogenic effect on the elevated plus maze test.. Results
showed the fruit possess central depressant properties. (21)
• Fetal Gestational Effect: Study evaluated an ethanolic fruit extract on
Sprague Dawley rats days 6-19 of gestation, the organogenetic period.
Findings suggests continuous consumption of higher concentration of the
extract during gestation can cause alteration in growth and development of
the fetus and changes in maternal organs and blood count. Caution is advised
against using the extract during pregnancy. (23)
• Pericarp / Metabolites / Toxicity Study: Study of ethanol extract of
pericarp yielded three groups of secondary metabolites, i.e., flavonoids,
steroids, and triterpenes. Biological study did not show acute toxicity in either
tested biological systems or concentrations tested. (24 )
• Anti-Mycobacterial / Metabolites / Toxicity Study: Study of aqueous and
alcoholic extracts of stem bark and leaves of C. cujete showed inhibitory effect
on all of the strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis used in the study. (25)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Antibacterial: Study evaluated the anti-inflammatory
and antibacterial potential of C. cujete leaves and stem bark. Results showed
dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity in the HRBC membrane
stabilization test and potent antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method. (26)
• Cytotoxicity / Mutagenicity / Antimutagenicity / Leaves: Study evaluated
air-dried leaves of C. cujete. Phytochemical screening yielded secondary
metabolites like flavonoids, tannins, reducing sugar, and steroids. All plants
extracts (HE, AE and CEE) showed comparable mutagenicity,
antimutagenicity, and protective potential towards MMS (methyl
methanesulfonate) probably due to the presence of phytochemicals that could
trap the CH3 carbocation released by MMS. (30)
• Hypoglycemic / Toxicity Study / Fruit: Study evaluated the acute toxicity
dose and glucose lowering effect of Calabash fruit in alloxan-induced diabetic
rabbits. Toxicity study of the fruit decoction was nontoxic by OECD guideline.
Post Hoc Pair-wise Test showed Calabash and Metformin had comparable
effects. Results suggest calabash fruit decoction is non-toxic and is effective
in lowering blood glucose of alloxan-indced hyperglycemic rabbits at dose of
10 mg/kg. s(31) Study evaluated fruit juice of C. cujete for potential
hypoglycemic effect in Sprague-Dawley rats. No toxicity was noted at 2000
mg/kg oral dose in rats using OECD guidelines. C. cujete caused an initial
increase in glucose level followed by significant reduction at 4h and 6h
(P<0.05). Effect was not significantly different from metformin. (39)
• Antiplatelet Aggregation Activity /Flavonoid / Fruit: Study investigated C.
cujete fruit for flavonoid content and platelet aggregation activity. Results
showed potent antiplatelet aggregation activity which was attributed to
flavonoid content. Acute oral toxicity categorized it as non-toxic based on
OECD guidelines-423. (32)
• Cytotoxicity / Antioxidant / Anthelmintic / Fruit: Fresh cujete fruit. Brine
shrimp lethality assay showed the EA extract to be most toxic and exhibits
highest bioactivity with LC50 of 1.50ppm during first 6 hours of treatment.
Anthelmintic assay showed the EA extract at 20,000 ppm showed the least
time to paralyze and kill test organisms Eudrilus eugenia. Thin layer
chromatography showed phenolic antioxidants in the fruit crude ethanolic
extract. (see constituents above) (33)
• Acaricidal / Fruit Pulp: Cattle tick is an important constraint in livestock
production. Ethanol extract and fraction of fruit pulp of C. cujete was evaluated
for acaricide effect against Rhipicephalus microplus. Study yielded cinnamic
acid and benzoic acid. The ethyl acetate fraction 10% solution showed 100%
mortality with LC50 of 5.9%. Cinnamic acid showed 63% mortality with LC50
of 6.6%. Results showed the fruit pulp as a potential alternative for R.
microplus control. (34)
• Wound Healing / Leaf Ointment: Study evaluated the potential wound
healing property of calabash tree leaf ointment on an incision wound model in
mice. (35)
• Antimicrobiall / Stem Bark: Study evaluated methanolic crude stem bark
for antimicrobial potential against clinical isolates of B. subtilis, S. aureus, P.
aeruginosa, E. coli, S. typhi, Candida albicans, and A. niger. Results showed
concentration dependent antimicrobial activity in the order of EF > MF > HF >
MCE. (see constituents above) (38)
• Nanoparticles / Bactericidal / Leaves: Study reports on an easy,
economical, and eco-friendly method of silver nanoparticles synthesis using
an aqueous dry leaf extract of C. cujete. The silver nanoparticles showed
better antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial
than the plant extract alone. (40)
• Cianhidric Acid: Studies have reported the presence of cianhidric acid in C.
cujete. This review article mentions cianhidric acid as "one of the most toxic
compounds in plants" and is found in Crescentia cujete fruits, Phaseolus
lunatus whole plant, and Prunus serotina leaves and seeds. The same review
mentions an LD50 >2000 mg/kg p.o. in rats for ethanol extract of C. cujete
fruits. (41) Note: I have not been able to locate any study on Crescentia cujete
that pertains to cianhidric acid toxicity. (G. Stuart)
• Removal of Heavy Metal from Waste Water: Granite industrial wastewater
effluent is one of the industries responsible for polluting the surronding aquatic
environment. Study showed activated carbon form from calabash seed is an
inexpensive and reliable material for the removal of toxic metals from the
waste water. (42)

Availability
- Wildcrafted.
- Seeds in the cybermarket.

© Godofredo U. Stuart Jr., M.D.

Abuse and Plagiarism of the Compilation on Philippine Medicinal Plants Under the Guise of Fair Uses

Updated August 2018 / October 2017 / October 2015

http://www.stuartxchange.org/Cujete.html