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Patola पटोल
Trichosanthes dioica · Cucurbitaceae
Also known as: Pointed Gourd, Parwal
Part used: Fruit, leaf
Patola (Trichosanthes dioica) is the pointed gourd or parwal, a vegetable that Ayurveda also treats as a bitter medicinal drug. It is used in fever, chronic skin disease, liver complaints and as a Deepana bitter, and it is one of the few classical drugs that is also an everyday food.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Trichosanthes dioica
- Part used: Fruit, leaf
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: As a vegetable, or leaf/decoction in blood-cleansing formulas (Patoladi).
Patola in other languages
Introduction
Patola (pointed gourd, Trichosanthes dioica) is a bitter vegetable-herb valued as a blood cleanser and digestive. Light and bitter, it clears Pitta, supports the skin and kindles a sluggish appetite.
Classification
Of the Cucurbitaceae family, Patola is grouped among the Deepana (digestive) and Raktashodhaka (blood-cleansing) tridoshic dravyas. Its bitter taste and light-dry qualities cleanse and kindle Agni.
Uses & benefits
Patola is a bitter drug used in fever, chronic skin disease and sluggish liver, and it is one of the few bitters that restores appetite rather than suppressing it. The leaf is the part used, prepared as a decoction, and it appears in the large blood-purifying formulations.
Patola for fever
A classical Jwaraghna drug, bitter and cooling, used in fevers with poor appetite.
Patola for skin disease
Named among the Kushtaghna drugs and used in chronic inflammatory skin conditions.
Patola for the liver
Its bitterness supports bile flow and it is used in Kamala and sluggish liver function.
Patola for poor appetite
A bitter Deepana drug — bitter taste in small quantity kindles rather than suppresses appetite.
Patola for worms
A Krimighna drug used in intestinal parasites.
Patola as a food in illness
One of the vegetables classically recommended during convalescence, being light and easy to digest.
Patola for diabetes
Named among the Pramehahara drugs, consistent with its bitter character.
Patola for burning and thirst
Cooling, used in Pitta conditions with heat.
Patola in Patoladi Kwath
The lead drug of a classical fever and skin decoction.
Patola leaf for constipation
The leaf is mildly laxative and is used where a gentle measure is wanted.
Dosage — how much to take
As a vegetable, or leaf/decoction in blood-cleansing formulas (Patoladi). Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Patola?
The citations held for Patola in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Raktashodhaka context); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Shaka Varga).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Patola?
Cited among blood-cleansing herbs. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Raktashodhaka context.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Patola?
Described as tridoshic and blood-cleansing. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Shaka Varga.
What is Patola traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Patola is a bitter drug used in fever, chronic skin disease and sluggish liver, and it is one of the few bitters that restores appetite rather than suppressing it. The leaf is the part used, prepared as a decoction, and it appears in the large blood-purifying formulations.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Patola?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Patola classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Patola carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Patola is used medicinally?
The part used is Fruit, leaf.
How much Patola is taken, and how?
As a vegetable, or leaf/decoction in blood-cleansing formulas (Patoladi). Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Patola be avoided?
Very safe; commonly eaten as a vegetable.
Where does Patola grow?
Pointed gourd is a climbing vine cultivated across the plains of India, especially the east.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Shaka Varga
Described as tridoshic and blood-cleansing. - Charaka Samhita — Raktashodhaka context
Cited among blood-cleansing herbs.
Modern research
-
Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.: An overview
(see source). Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (2012)
A review of Trichosanthes dioica (Patola / pointed gourd) documenting antioxidant, hypolipidaemic, antidiabetic and hepatoprotective activities.
View study doi:10.4103/0973-7847.95886
Safety & precautions
Very safe; commonly eaten as a vegetable.
Where it grows
Pointed gourd is a climbing vine cultivated across the plains of India, especially the east.
Frequently asked questions
What is Patola used for?
Fever, chronic skin disease, liver complaints, poor appetite, worms and blood sugar support. It is a bitter cooling drug and one of the few in the materia medica that is also an everyday vegetable.
Is parwal the same as Patola?
Yes. Parwal is the Hindi name and Patola the Sanskrit, both for Trichosanthes dioica. In English it is the pointed gourd. Note that some regional traditions apply the name Patola to other cucurbits — check the botanical name.
What is the dose of Patola?
Leaf or fruit powder 3–6 g per day, or decoction 40–80 ml. As a vegetable it is eaten without a dose limit, and that is its commonest use.
Why is parwal recommended during illness?
It is light, easy to digest and bitter, which classical practice regards as appropriate when digestive capacity is reduced. It is one of the standard convalescent vegetables alongside mung dal.
Are there side effects of Patola?
Very well tolerated — it is ordinary food. Bitter and cooling, so heavy medicinal use may aggravate Vata. No specific contraindication in normal use.
Is Patola good for the liver?
It is used in Kamala and sluggish liver function on its bitter character, which classical practice associates with bile flow. It is supportive rather than a treatment — persistent liver complaints need proper investigation.
Which part of Patola is used?
The fruit is eaten as a vegetable, and the leaf is more commonly used medicinally in decoctions. The root is used in some classical preparations as a purgative and is not the everyday part.
