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Cucumis sativus - Cucumber, Kantakilata

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Cucumber, Cucumis sativus

The cucumber is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits that are used as vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and seedless.

Uses

Relieves thirst, Relieves burning micturition, Insomnia, Urinary tract infection, Bleeding disorders [1]

Parts Used

Fruit, Seeds

Chemical Composition

Cucumber contains rutin; seeds glucosides including cucurbitaside; leaves free cucurbitasides B & C, ferredoxin, alpha-spinasterol.[2]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Southe kaayi
Hindi Kakree, Khira
Malayalam Kakkari, Mullanvellari, Vellari
Tamil Mullan vellari, Mullanvellari, Mulluvellari, Vellari, Vellari-k-kay
Telugu Dosa kaya, Ujakaayipa
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Bahuphala, Kandalu, Kantakilata, Kantakiphala, Sudhavasa, Trapusha
English Cucumber

[3]

Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Madhura (Sweet)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Rooksha (Dry)

Veerya

Sheeta (cold)

Vipaka

Madhura (Sweet)

Karma

Pitta

Prabhava

Habit

Climber

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple Alternate Tendrils simple, Leaves 10-16 cm long and broad, broadly orbicular or ovate-cordate, entire or palmately 5-lobed, margin bi-denticulate.

[4]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual Axillary Yellow 3 Male flowers 3-4, in axilliary fascicles. Calyx 8-10 mm long, companulate, densely villous, lobes subulate.

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Oblong Yellowish green. Seeds 8-10 x 3-5 mm, oblong {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

[5]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds

How to plant/cultivate

Seed - sow early to mid spring in a rich soil. Germination should take place within 2 weeks[6]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical area, Sub tropical area

Photo Gallery

References

External Links