Luffa
OTHER NAME(S): Angled Loofah, Courge Éponge, Courge Torchon, Dishcloth Sponge, Éponge Loofa, Éponge Végétale, Laine Torchon des Antilles, Liane Torchon, Loofa, Loofah, Luffaschwamm, Papangaye, Sigualuo, Silky Loofah, Smooth Loofah, Sponge Cucumber, Vegetable Sponge, Water Gourd, Luffa aegyptiaca, Luffa acutangula, Luffa cylindrica, Luffa operculata, Lufa
Overview
Luffa is a plant. When the mature fruit is allowed to dry, a fibrous, sponge-like structure remains. The fibers can be boiled in water, which is then used as medicine.
Luffa is taken by mouth for treating and preventing colds. It is also used for nasal swelling and sinus problems. Some people use it for arthritis pain, muscle pain, and chest pain.
There isn't enough information to know how luffa might work.
Women use luffa to restore absent menstrual periods. Nursing mothers use it to increase milk flow.
Sometimes the whole luffa "sponge" is rubbed against the skin to remove dead skin and stimulate the skin. Luffa charcoal, which is prepared by heating luffa fibers in a closed container, is applied directly to the skin for shingles in the face and eye region.
In foods, young luffa fruits are eaten as vegetables.
In cosmetics, powdered luffa is used in skin care products to reduce swelling and "detoxify" the skin.
There isn't enough information to know how luffa might work.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Hay fever. Early research suggests that using a homeopathic nasal spray (Luffa comp.-Heel Nasal Spray) containing luffa and other ingredients for 6 weeks might help control seasonal allergy symptoms.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the nasal cavity and sinuses (rhinosinusitis). Early research suggests that taking a specific homeopathic product (Sinusitis PMD) containing luffa and other ingredients for about 2 weeks might help relieve symptoms of sinusitis.
- Common cold.
- Pain.
- Menstrual problems.
- Shingles (herpes zoster).
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of luffa for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Luffa is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if luffa is safe when taken as a medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Luffa is LIKELY SAFE for most people when applied directly to the skin as a sponge. However, the safety of using luffa charcoal for shingles is unknown.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Luffa is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if luffa is safe when taken as a medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: Luffa is LIKELY SAFE for most people when applied directly to the skin as a sponge. However, the safety of using luffa charcoal for shingles is unknown.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Luffa is POSSIBLY SAFE for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts. But there isn't enough information to know if luffa is safe in the larger amounts found in medicine. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Luffa overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of luffa depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for luffa. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Weiser, M., Gegenheimer, L. H., and Klein, P. A randomized equivalence trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Luffa comp.-Heel nasal spray with cromolyn sodium spray in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Forsch Komplementarmed 1999;6(3):142-148.
- Adler, M. Efficacy and safety of a fixed-combination homeopathic therapy for sinusitis. Adv Ther 1999;16(2):103-111.
- Kawahara, N., Kurata, A., Hakamatsuka, T., Sekita, S., and Satake, M. Two novel cucurbitacins, neocucurbitacins A and B, from the Brazilian folk medicine "Buchinha" (Luffa operculata) and their effect on PEBP2alphaA and OCIF gene expression in a human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cell line. Chem.Pharm.Bull.(Tokyo) 2001;49(10):1377-1379.
- Kawahara, N., Kurata, A., Hakamatsuka, T., Sekita, S., and Satake, M. Two new cucurbitacin glucosides, opercurins A and B, from the Brazilian folk medicine "Buchinha" (Luffa operculata). Chem.Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2004;52(8):1018-1020.
- Menon-Miyake, M. A., Carvalho de, Oliveira R., Lorenzi-Filho, G., Saldiva, P. H., and Butugan, O. Luffa operculata affects mucociliary function of the isolated frog palate. Am J Rhinol. 2005;19(4):353-357.
- Menon-Miyake, M. A., Saldiva, P. H., Lorenzi-Filho, G., Ferreira, M. A., Butugan, O., and Oliveira, R. C. Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features. Braz.J Otorhinolaryngol. 2005;71(2):132-138.
- Wiesenauer, M., Gaus, W., Bohnacker, U., and Haussler, S. [Efficiency of homeopathic preparation combinations in sinusitis. Results of a randomized double blind study with general practitioners]. Arzneimittelforschung 1989;39(5):620-625.