Luffa
Scientific names: Luffa aegyptiaca, Luffa acutangula, Luffa cylindrica, Luffa operculata
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Alternate names: Angled Loofah, Courge Éponge, Courge Torchon, Dishcloth Sponge, Éponge Loofa, Éponge Végétale, Laine Torchon des Antilles, Liane Torchon, Loofa, Loofah, Lufa, Luffaschwamm, Papangaye, Sigualuo, Silky Loofah, Smooth Loofah, Sponge Cucumber, Vegetable Sponge, Water Gourd
Actions: Antineoplastic, Bone, Respiratory
Background
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.
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.
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.
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.
Safety Safety definitions
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.
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.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
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.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- 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.
Dosing & administration
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.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Luffa interacts with any medicines. Before taking Luffa, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
There isn't enough information to know how luffa might work.
Products
View all products
Per capsule:
- Luffa cylindrical (Si Gua Luo) ext. 15.72 mg
- Lonicera japonica ext. 68.19 mg
- Smilax glabra ext. 52.44 mg
- Spatholobus suberectus ext. 52.44 mg
- Forsythia suspensa ext. 15.72 mg
- Angelica polymorpha ext. 15.72 mg
- Rehmannia glutinosa ext. 15.72 mg
- Paris polyphylla ext. 10.5 mg
- Sparganium stoloniferum ext. 10.5 mg
- Curcuma zedoaria ext. 10.5 mg
- Gleditsia sinensis ext. 10.5 mg
- Campsis grandiflora ext. 9.45 mg
- Dictamnus dasycarpus ext. 6.3 mg
- Saposhnikovia divaricata ext. 6.3 mg
Practitioner product
Per serve:
- Luffa operculata
- Euphorbium
- Argentum nitricum
- Pulsatilla
- Mercurius iodatus
Practitioner product
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This monograph was last reviewed on 30/04/2023 10:00:00 and last updated on 20/11/2014 23:21:51. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
