Bottle gourd (scientific name: Lagenaria siceraria ) is a climbing plant belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family that has been cultivated and used since ancient times in various parts of the world, including India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The fruit is popular as a food, and has also been used in Ayurveda and folk medicine to reduce internal heat, as well as for moisturizing and soothing properties. The flesh is characterized by its high water content, minerals, and polysaccharides.
In recent years, basic research has suggested that the polysaccharides, polyphenols, and mineral components contained in bottle gourd may contribute to skin moisture retention, barrier function support, antioxidant properties, and inflammatory stress relief. These properties raise expectations for its application as an external and food ingredient for maintaining scalp moisture and stabilizing hair condition.
Traditionally, it has been used to cool the body, calm excess heat and dryness, as a diuretic and detoxifying agent, and to treat hot and dry skin, and has also been used to treat dry, itchy, and unbalanced scalp conditions.
Characteristics of the bottle gourd
- Scientific name: Lagenaria siceraria
- Classification: Cucurbitaceae
- Japanese name: Yugao (Evening glory)
- Origin: Africa to South Asia
- Growth form: Climbing annual plant
- Parts used: Fruit, pulp, seeds
- Characteristics: High moisture content, light-colored flesh with a mild flavor
Main ingredients (reported examples)
- Polysaccharides: Water-soluble polysaccharides, pectin
- Polyphenols: Phenolic compounds
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, B vitamins
- Minerals: potassium, magnesium, calcium
- Amino acids: free amino acids
- Other: organic acids, moisture-retaining ingredients
Expected effects (scalp and hair focus)
- Scalp moisturizing support: It has been suggested that polysaccharides and moisture-retaining ingredients may contribute to maintaining a moist scalp environment.
- Barrier function support: It has been suggested that it may contribute to stabilizing the stratum corneum's moisture retention and protective function against external stimuli.
- Supports dry and itchy scalp care: It has been suggested that it may contribute to reducing the stress and discomfort caused by dry scalp.
- Antioxidant and environmental stress care effects: It has been suggested that it helps protect the scalp and hair from UV rays and oxidative stress.
- Hair condition support effect: It has been suggested that this product may contribute to maintaining hair's moisture balance and stabilizing its smoothness and shine.
- Scalp cooling and soothing support: Based on its traditional use as a cooling agent for the body, it has been suggested that it may also contribute to reducing scalp heat and inflammation.
- Detoxification and circulation support effects: It has been suggested that it may contribute to maintaining a healthy scalp environment by regulating the body's water balance.
