Waxgourd

At a glance

Origin / distribution: China, Turkey, Iraq

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Abscess, Anodyne, Cough, Diuretic

Science studied: ASH, CARBOHYDRATES, BETA-CAROTENE, FAT

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Cucurbitaceae

Scientific name: Benincasa hispida

Common names: Waxgourd, Beligo, Calabaza china, Chinese preserving-melon, Chinese-watermelon, Kundua, Mumkabak, Wachskürbis, Waspompoen, Winter Melon, abóbora-d'água, aroro, aroroi, hue, ash gourd

POWO: 163640-3 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in China, Turkey, Elsewhere, Iraq.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Abscess
• Anodyne
• Cough
• Diuretic
• Dysuria
• Eruption
• Expectorant
• Fever

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• China
• Turkey
• Elsewhere
• Iraq

Documented cultural uses

• Abscess
• Anodyne
• Cough
• Diuretic
• Dysuria
• Eruption
• Expectorant
• Fever
• Gonorrhea
• Heat
• Hemoptysis
• Internulcer

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Abscess · China · "
• Anodyne · China · "
• Cough · China · "
• Diuretic · China · "
• Dysuria · China · "
• Eruption · China · "
• Expectorant · China · "
• Fever · China · "
• Gonorrhea · China · "
• Heat · China · "
• Hemoptysis · Turkey · "
• Hemoptysis · Elsewhere · "
• Internulcer · China · "
• Longevity · China · "
• Lung · China · "
• Phthisis · Iraq · "
• Pimple · China · "
• Rash · China · "
• Thirst · China · "
• Tonic · China · "
• Vermifuge · Iraq · "
• Wound · China · "
• Demulcent · China · "
• Laxative · China · "

7 additional documented entries remain in the source record.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Antioxidant activity and cytotoxic effects of Benincasa hispida juice on HepG2 cells. · 2026 source ↗
• Exploring the Antimitotic Potential of Benincasa Hispida Seed Extract on HepG2 Cells. · 2026 source ↗
• Genome-Wide Identification of the BhKCS Gene Family in Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida) and Stress-Responsive Expression of BhKCS8/9/14/15 · 2026 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• ASH
• CARBOHYDRATES
• BETA-CAROTENE
• FAT
• IRON
• ISOMULTIFLORENYL-ACETATE
• KILOCALORIES
• MAGNESIUM
• OLEIC-ACID
• OXALIC-ACID
• POTASSIUM
• PROTEIN
• RIBOFLAVIN
• STEARIC-ACID
• WATER
• PHOSPHORUS

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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