Genus of plants
Trichosanthes is a genus of tropical and subtropical vines. They belong to the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae), and are closely related to Gymnopetalum. Hodgsonia, formerly included here, is usually considered a well-distinct genus nowadays.
The shoots, tendrils, and leaves of some or possibly all species may be eaten as greens, and at least two species (serpent gourd, T. cucumerina, and pointed gourd, T. dioica) are grown commercially for their fleshy fruits used as vegetables, most popular in South Asia and Southeast Asia. At least two species (T. kirilowii and T. rosthornii) are grown for use in traditional Chinese medicine, where they are called the name gualou (Chinese: 瓜蒌; pinyin: guālóu). Trichosanthes is also known as a medicinal as well as poisonous plant in India.[1] The herb has shown an ability to reduce chest congestion by breaking down phlegm and aiding in its removal from the lungs.[2][unreliable source?]
Selected species
T. napoensis[3] and T. pedata: habit and seeds
In addition, several hybrids are known in this genus.
Formerly placed in Trichosanthes were for example Kedrostis foetidissima and Linnaeosicyos amara.
References
- ^ Bobade, Amitesh Ashok; Thatte, Chinmay Vinay; Tijare, Rutuja Babanrao (30 September 2022). "Trichosanthes cucumerina: A perspective on various medicinal uses or activities" (PDF). GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 20 (3): 141–147. doi:10.30574/gscbps.2022.20.3.0350. S2CID 252230143. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ Kate Wright (2009). "Natural Anti-Viral Support for Coughs and Congestion". Nutrition Review. 4 (4).
- ^ Nong DX, Huang BY, Lan ZZ, Xie DM, Yu LY, Huang LQ (2015) Trichosanthes napoensis (Cucurbitaceae), a new species from Guangxi, China. Phytotaxa 207(3): 297-300
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