neti beerakaya / sponge gourd / Luffa cylindrica / neti beera / Dhamargava

శాస్త్రీయ నామం  :     Luffa cylindrica                       

తెలుగు పేరు      :     నేతిబీరకాయ 

సంస్కృతం         :        धमर्गव   
हिंदी                 :      घिया तोरई

English           :      sponge gourd 

ఔషధ గుణం : There are many medicinal properties and uses of this plant, Dhamargava. The tender fruit of Dhamargava is considered diuretic drug and lactagogue. This Indian medicinal plant is utilized to treat gastric distress and leprosy. The fruit is regarded as an excellent tonic and medication that treats spleen diseases, leprosy, piles, fever, hematuria, syphilis and bronchitis. The juice of the Dhamargava fruit is purgative. The seed oil is used as a substitute for olive oil which revitalizes the skin.

The ripen fruits of this Indian medicinal plant, Dhamargava, are often left on the vine to dry to generate sponge. The dry sponge is widely used for bathing, scrubbing dishes and kitchen utensils, washing cars, and for a variety of other purposes. These dry Dhamargava are known commercially as "loofah sponges".