Cucumbers: Health benefits, nutritional content, uses and many more

 

    CUCUMBER (Kheera/kaakdi)

Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) belongs to Cucurbitaceae family which is abundantly found in India. It is widely cultivated plant. The fruit is used as supplementary to principal food components. It is a popular vegetable crop used in Indian traditional medicine since ancient times. Its Diuretic function is well known and it is systematically described in Charak and Sushrut samhita. The cucumber fruit ranges in color from yellow, orange, white, and green. 

It shows Anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, hypoglycemic, wound healing, carminative, diuretic, antiinflammatory properties.

              Click here for more information about Anti-oxidant and free radicals

It have different names in different languages such as Hindi name(Khira, Kheera),  Marathi name(kaakdi),  English name(Cucumber, Garden cucumber),  Tamil Name(Muhivetti, Keerai Kai/Vellari kai),  Telugu name(Ujakaipa),  Bengali Name(Shasha),  Gujarati Name(Tansali, Kaakdi),  Kannada Name(Southekai),  Malayalam name(Vellarikka)

Vitamin and mineral content

Vitamins : B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, K

Minerals : Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Iron, zinc

• phytochemical constituents like glycosides, flavones, terpenoids, phytosterol, saponine and carotene.

• Several bioactive compounds have been isolated from cucumber including cucurbitacins, cucumegastigmanes I and II, cucumerin A and B, vitexin, orientin, isoscoparin 2″-O-(6‴-(E)-p-coumaroyl) glucoside, apigenin 7-O-(6″-O-p-coumaroylglucoside) etc.

• The fruits contain an enzyme, erepsin, ascorbic acid, proteolytic enzyme, rutin, oxidase, succinic and maleic dehydrogenases, and more. 

• The seeds contain α- and β-amyrin, sitosterols and cucurbitasides. 

• Leaves contain free cucurbitasides B and C and ferredoxin.

• This vegetable is very high in water content and very low in calories. 

• Fiber  includes insoluble  fiber  (lignin,  cellulose,  and hemicelluloses) and soluble fiber (pectins, β-glucans,  galactomannan  gums,  and  a  large  range  of  non-digestible oligosaccharides   including   inulin).

Properties and benefits

• Rasa(Taste) – Madhura (Sweet)

• Guna(Qualities) – Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)

• Taste conversation after digestion  – Madhura(Sweet)

• Veerya(Potency) – Sheetla (Cold)

• Effect on Tridoshas – Balances pitta dosha but Increases vata and kapha

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• Mutrala – helps in easy urination(diuretic)

• Guru – heavy in nature

• Ruchya – improves taste

• Jwarapradam – increases fever

• Krichnaghna – relieves dysuria

• Santaapa – relieves burning sensation

• Murcha – relieves giddiness

• Vishtambhi – May cause constipation

• Basti shodhana – cleanses urinary bladder

• Pittahara – useful in Pitta imbalance disorders such as gastritis, burning sensation, etc.

• Trushna – excessive thirst

• Klama – fatigue

• Daha – burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc

• Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc

• Chardi – Vomiting

• Bhrama – Delusion, Dizziness

Uses, Health benefits and Application

1) It can be used in place of mineral water for oral rehydration.

2) It is also used in various cosmetics due to its high moisture content. 

3) Cucumber seeds are coolant, diuretic and improves physical strength. They are used in dysuria (mutrakrichra) and obstruction of urine (mutraghata).

4) Leaves ash is used to clear excess mucus.

5) Malnutrition is worldwide problem. Cucumber is easily available, affordable and fulfils requirements of micro & macronutrients in the body. Therefore, Cucumber and ragi(nachni) can be used as food supplement in the malnutrition areas. 

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6) Fruit can be used or eaten in the form of juice, slices (slices dried or fresh) and  also used in preparing sqash, jam and jelly.

7) Cucumber has a cleansing action within the body by removing accumulated pockets of old waste materials and chemical toxins.

8) Fresh fruit juice is used for nourishing the skin. It gives a soothing effect against skin irritations and reduces swelling. Cucumber also has the power to relax and alleviate the sunburn's pain. 

9) The fruit is refrigerant, haemostatic, tonic and useful in hyperdipsia, thermoplegia, constipation, etc.

10) Placing the two slice of cucumber on eyes for 10 minutes can decrease the inflammation.

11) For dysuria and obstruction of urine : Take 4 parts of seeds, 1 part of Haldi or Daruhaldi(Himalayan region/ Nilgiri hill Haldi) and muleti are pounded together and consumed with rice gruel.

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12) Indigestion caused by excess consumption of wheat is cured by cucumber seeds and purified belladonna seeds.

13) In sun stroke piece of cucumber are placed on the head so that the patient may  breathe moistened air in order to neutralize heat of the body or cool down the body.

14) The seeds of cucumber is added with water and drunk to relieve thirst.

15) The powder of the dried seeds is taken in a dose of 3-5 g to relieve general weakness of the muscles.

16) Cucumber leaves  are boiled and mixed with cumin seeds, roasted and powdered, are administrated in throat infections.

                Click here for more information about Cumin Seeds

17) Traditionally seed were used to expel the intestinal worms.

18) Cucumber is used as a vegetable all over India, as part of cuisine.

19) The fruit of the plant is consumed to relieve thirst, burning sensation all over the body.

20) The juice of cucumber is consumed to relieve burning micturition.

21) The cucumber slices are given along with boiled rice or rice gruel in the morning to treat urinary tract infections and calculi.

22) The cucumber fruit slice is applied over the head to get relief from disturbed sleep, insomnia.

23) Cucumbers are an important greenhouse crop in Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East.

24) Acne, pimples and cooling face pack for face : Grate ¼ cup of cucumber. Stir in1 tsp. besan flour. Apply this as a cooling face pack.

25) For puffy eyes and dark circles put slice of cucumber on each eye and relax for 10 minutes.

26) Cucumber helps to control hair fall when applied on the scalp. 

27) To get rid away from sun tan or to improve tan : Mix equal quantity of cucumber juice( 1-2 teaspoon) and rose water and apply this on face before going sleep.

28) Cucumbers consist mostly of water, and they also contain important electrolytes. They can help prevent dehydration.

                - Staying hydrated is essential for maintaining a healthy intestine, preventing constipation, avoiding kidney stones, and more.

29) Cucumbers are a good source of potassium, magnesium and dietary fibre. These nutrients are known to lower blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart diseases.

30) Cucumber is a rich source of Silicon which is beneficial for healthy connective tissues, ligaments, cartilage.

                   - Hyaluronic acid and elastin are accountable for the elasticity of connective tissue and it reduces clearly during aging 

Precaution / side effects

1) It is best to avoid this during cold, cough, as it is a cold in nature or potency and could worsen the symptoms.

2) It is best to avoid in patients with frequent urination.

3) It is not ideal to consume cucumber in rainy season.

4) It is ideal to consume cucumber grown in early winter period.

Types of cucumber

1) Armenian, or snake cucumbers

2) Japanese cucumbers

3) Kirby cucumbers

4) Lemon cucumber

5) cucumbers (Cucumis Sativus)

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Reference : 

1) V. Changade, J., & Ulemale, A. H. (2015). RICH SOURCE OF NEUTRACEUTICLE: CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER). International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research, 3(7). 

2) International Journal of Technical Research & Sciences,  ISSN No.: 2454- 2024.

3) Sushruta Samhita

4) Dhanvantari Nighantu

5) Bhavaprakasha Nighantu

6) Sciencedirect.com

7) Ashtanga Hrdayam

8) Alandi ayurveda

9) Sumerianz Journal of Biotechnology, 2020, Vol. 3, No. 9, pp. 75-82  ISSN(e): 2617-3050, ISSN(p): 2617-3123 

10) Local tradition and knowledge

11) Wikipedia

12) NCBI

13) PUBMED

14) International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)  ;  ISSN (Online): 2319-7064