Ivy gourd
Scientific names: Coccinia grandis, Coccinia indica, Coccinia cordifolia
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Alternate names: Calabacita, Calabaza Hiedra, Coccinia Índica, Courge Écarlate, Kem Wel, Kovai, Kowakka, Little Gourd, Tela Kucha, Scarlet Gourd, Tindola
Actions: Antilipidemic, Antioxidant, Cardiovascular, Hypoglycemic
Background
Ivy gourd is a plant. The leaves, root, and fruit are used to make medicine.
Ivy gourd is most often used for diabetes. People also use ivy gourd for gonorrhea, constipation, wounds, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Ivy gourd fruit and leaves are also used as a vegetable in India and other Asian countries.
Ivy gourd is most often used for diabetes. People also use ivy gourd for gonorrhea, constipation, wounds, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Ivy gourd fruit and leaves are also used as a vegetable in India and other Asian countries.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Ivy gourd leaf is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth for up to 6 weeks. Side effects are mild and may include headache, nausea, or dizziness. There isn't enough information to know if ivy gourd is safe when used long-term.
Surgery: Ivy gourd might lower blood sugar. There is some concern it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using ivy gourd at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ivy gourd is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Surgery: Ivy gourd might lower blood sugar. There is some concern it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using ivy gourd at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- Diabetes. Taking ivy gourd leaf by mouth seems to improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Constipation.
- Gonorrhea.
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis).
- Scaly, itchy skin (psoriasis).
- Wound healing.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of ivy gourd depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for ivy gourd. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Ivy gourd might lower blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking ivy gourd along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to be too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Ivy gourd might lower blood glucose levels. Using it with along with other products that have this same effect might lower blood sugar too much. Some natural products that can lower blood sugar include alpha-lipoic acid, bitter melon, chromium, devil's claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut seed, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others. Don't use ivy gourd with any of these.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 08/03/2024 11:00:00 and last updated on 23/09/2014 21:35:58. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
