Luffa plant parts offer diverse medicinal and practical uses

The luffa plant, commonly used in cooking, offers various benefits through its fruit, leaves, flowers, and fibers. In traditional medicine, dried luffa fiber, known as ‘ty qua lac’, is used to support meridians, reduce aches, and alleviate coughing or chest congestion.

Beyond medicine, luffa fiber serves as a natural exfoliant for skin care and is being researched globally as a biodegradable material for water filtration and heavy metal adsorption.

Nutritionally, the fruit is rich in Vitamin A, which supports eye health and cardiovascular function by reducing bad cholesterol. It also contains manganese to assist in insulin secretion, potassium to prevent muscle cramps, copper to help with arthritis inflammation, and Vitamin B6 to aid hemoglobin production and prevent anemia.