Is luffa (sponge gourd) cool in nature?

Jun 26, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Sun Lianqing

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, luffa (sponge gourd) is considered to have a cooling property. To avoid unnecessary harm to the body, it is recommended to assess individual constitution and dietary needs under the guidance of a qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner. When consuming luffa, maintain a balanced diet, avoid excessive intake, and refrain from combining it with incompatible foods to prevent adverse effects on recovery or health. If you have any questions, consult a healthcare professional promptly.

Generally speaking, luffa (sponge gourd) is considered to have a cool nature in traditional Chinese medicine. The detailed analysis is as follows:

In traditional Chinese medicine, luffa is believed to have a sweet taste and cool nature, entering the lung, liver, stomach, and large intestine meridians. Its cool nature helps clear heat and toxins from the body and may serve as an adjunct in treating conditions caused by heat toxins, such as acne and heat-induced irritability with thirst. Luffa also has the effect of cooling the blood, thereby helping alleviate blood-heat-related conditions, such as hemorrhoidal bleeding and hematuria. Additionally, its function of promoting circulation through the meridians makes it beneficial in treating disorders such as rheumatic pain and women's conditions caused by blood stasis. Moreover, luffa helps eliminate excess fluid from the body and may serve as an adjunct in treating edema and ascites caused by liver cirrhosis.

To avoid unnecessary harm to the body, it is recommended to consult a qualified TCM practitioner to assess individual constitution and dietary needs. When consuming luffa, maintain a balanced diet and avoid excessive intake or combining it with incompatible foods to prevent adverse effects on recovery or health. If you have any questions, seek timely medical advice.

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