Is luffa (sponge gourd) a cold-natured food?

Loofah is of cold nature. From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it has a sweet and cool property, thus belonging to cold-natured ingredients. The specific analysis is as follows:

The characteristics of cold-natured ingredients are reflected both in the growing environment and medicinal functions of loofah. Loofah usually ripens in summer, a season marked by hot weather. Cold-natured foods generally have the effect of clearing heat and relieving summerheat, and loofah can help alleviate symptoms such as heat-induced thirst and sore throat, which are closely related to its cold nature. It is commonly used for clearing heat, cooling the blood, detoxification, and promoting circulation of Qi and blood.

Although loofah is cold in nature, its cold property can be somewhat neutralized through appropriate cooking methods and ingredient pairing. For example, adding warming ingredients such as ginger or garlic during cooking, or using cooking methods like braising or stewing, can reduce its cooling effects. Pairing loofah with warm-natured meats such as chicken or lamb can also balance the overall thermal properties of the dish. However, individuals with weak digestive systems or those who have a cold body constitution (spleen and stomach cold deficiency) should still control their intake to avoid excessive consumption that may exacerbate internal coldness.

When consuming loofah, individuals should adjust their intake according to their own body constitution. Those with cold deficiency of the spleen and stomach or cold hands and feet should consume it in moderation and preferably cook it together with warming ingredients. Even healthy individuals should avoid long-term consumption of raw or cold loofah to prevent damage to the yang energy of the spleen and stomach, thus ensuring reasonable and healthy dietary habits.