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Smooth Luffa (Loofah)

Buap hom | บวบหอม  | Luffa aegyptiaca

Family: Cucurbitaceae - Genus: Luffa

The vines of the luffa plant can be found at the aqua hydroponic greenhouse of the Thai Child Development Foundation.

 

Luffa, also know as sponge gourd, is an annual vine cultivated for its fruit.

The fruit, approximately 30 centimeter long, resembles a cucumber in shape and size.


The young fruit is eaten as a vegetable and is commonly grown for that purpose in Thailand.


Unlike the young fruit, the fully ripened fruit is strongly fibrous and inedible, and is used to make scrubbing bath sponges.


Best grown in the rainy season, planting in May/ June. Harvest in August - September.


 

The papaya is a small, sparsely branched tree, usually with a single stem growing from 5 to 10 meter tall, with spirally arranged leaves confined to the top of the trunk. The lower trunk is usually scarred where leaves and fruit were borne. All parts of the plant contain latex.
Vine

THE PLANT

Lufa is a vine-grown member of the pumpkin, squash and gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. Luffa grows slowly and matures well into the rainy season. Luffa vines grow vigorously, sometimes as long as 10 meter. When provided an overhead trellis, the vines’ tendrils twine and wind up and across overhead supports. Eye-catching, sunshine-yellow flowers appear on the plant, which attract bees, ants and other pollinators. After the flowers are spent, elongated fruits form up and down the vines.


 

The leaves of the papaya are large, 50-70 cm in diameter, with seven lobes.
Leaf

THE LEAVES

The leaves are an abundant summer leafy green – always there to pick. The young leaves can be eaten raw.






 


The flowers are five-parted; the male flowers have the stamens fused to the petals. The female flowers have a superior ovary and five contorted petals loosely connected at the base. The flowers are sweet-scented, open at night, and wind- or insect-pollinated.
FLOWER

THE FLOWERS

The luffa gourd produces large number of male and female flowers.

They are yellow or orange and 2 to 3 inches in diameter.

The beautiful large flowers of the luffa are also edible.






 
The flowers are five-parted; the male flowers have the stamens fused to the petals. The female flowers have a superior ovary and five contorted petals loosely connected at the base. The flowers are sweet-scented, open at night, and wind- or insect-pollinated.
FRUIT

THE FRUIT

Fruit is long, light green with stripes. Plant is very productive and strong, can handle many days of heavy rain. Young fruits are cooked and eaten, while fully mature and dry fruit yield seed and the luffa which can be used as a sponge or shower scrub.





 

CULINARY USES

Luffa is used in stir-fries, in curries and in Kaeng type soups.

The taste of the fruit resembles zucchinis.

The leaves and flowers are edible too.



 

NUTRITION

Luffa fruit contains various antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, nutrients and lipids. It is an excellent source of Vitamin A and carbohydrates. It is also a very good source of Vitamin B5, Manganese, Potassium, Copper, Total dietary fiber, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and Magnesium.

 

TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USE


NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.


The fibers of the old luffa fruit can be boiled in water, which can then be used as medicine.

Luffa is taken by mouth for treating and preventing colds. It is also said to be used for nasal swelling and sinus problems. It has been said to be benificial for arthritis pain, muscle pain, and chest pain.

Women can use luffa to restore absent menstrual periods. Nursing mothers use it to increase milk flow.

 

INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience

For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!


Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!


INTO THE WILD!

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