Evidence supporting the use of: Wax Gourd
For the health condition: Bladder Infection
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), also known as ash gourd or winter melon, has been utilized in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to support urinary tract health, including the management of bladder infections. In Ayurveda, wax gourd is considered to have diuretic and cooling properties, believed to help "flush out" toxins and reduce irritation or inflammation in the urinary tract. Similarly, TCM texts describe its usage for "clearing heat" and promoting urination, which aligns with traditional approaches to treating urinary discomfort or infection.
However, direct scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of wax gourd specifically for bladder infections (urinary tract infections, or UTIs) is limited. Some laboratory studies indicate that extracts of Benincasa hispida possess mild diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, but these studies are generally preliminary and do not focus specifically on bacterial infections of the bladder. There are no well-designed clinical trials demonstrating that wax gourd can effectively treat or prevent bladder infections in humans. Thus, its use for this purpose remains primarily based on traditional knowledge, with limited scientific validation.
In summary, while wax gourd has a traditional history of use for urinary conditions, robust scientific evidence for its effectiveness against bladder infections is lacking.
Other ingredients used for Bladder Infection
bearberryberberine
coconut milk
cranberry
cucumber
turmeric
D-mannose
echinacea purpurea
goldenseal
horseradish
Indian tinospora
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus crispatus
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lophatherum leaf
methenamine
oregano
oregon grape
phellodendron amurense
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
scrophularia root
slippery elm bark
vitamin C
water
sarsaparilla
squawvine
shen-chu
punarnava
goldenrod
lemongrass
juniper berries
dodder
cornsilk
buchu
couch grass
hydrangea
cleavers
wood betony
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
gravel root
akebia
Ardisia
Arbutin
Agave
Allicin
Abrus
Alchornea
Aerva lanata
Andrographis
Alisma
Abuta
Amor seco
Bermuda Grass
Big Quaking Grass
berry
Bur-Reed
Bacteria
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Cucurbita
Cnidium
Chinese Raisintree
Chanca Piedra
Costus
Echinacea
Sumac
Other health conditions supported by Wax Gourd
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Backache
Bladder Infection
Blood in Urine
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Cholesterol (high)
Colds (general)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (damp)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Edema
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Headache (general)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia
Jaundice (adults)
Kidney Infection
Kidney Stones
Liver Detoxification