Evidence supporting the use of: Luffa
For the health condition: Constipation (children)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Luffa (commonly known as sponge gourd or loofah) has been traditionally used in various cultures for a range of medicinal purposes, including as a remedy for constipation, particularly in children. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and some folk practices, the mature fruits or seeds of Luffa species are sometimes incorporated into herbal formulations intended to promote bowel movements and relieve mild constipation. The basis for this use is largely anecdotal and rooted in historical texts and oral tradition, where Luffa is considered to have mild laxative properties due to its fibrous content.
However, there is a lack of robust scientific studies or clinical trials that specifically evaluate the efficacy or safety of Luffa for treating constipation in children. The available evidence is limited to traditional use, and there is little to no pharmacological data supporting its effectiveness or mechanism in alleviating constipation. Therefore, while the practice exists within traditional medicine, the quality of evidence is low (rated 1/5), and its use should be approached cautiously, especially in pediatric populations where safety and dosage are critical.
To summarize, the use of Luffa to support or treat constipation in children is primarily justified by traditional use rather than scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)
2'-FucosyllactoseAgar
Alexandrian senna
Allium tuberosum
Almond fruit
Aloe vera
Aloin
alpinia galangal
Amomum
Amor seco
anise
anthraquinone
apple
Appleblossom Cassia
apricot
arabinoxylan
Ardisia
Asam gelugor
Asteraceae
atractylodes
atractylone
Bacillus
bacillus coagulans
bacteria
bael
bamboo
basil
Bassia scoparia
bee products
beet
belleric myrobalan
Bidens pilosa
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black salt
black seed
blackberry
blackboard tree
blueberry
Bombax
borassus palm
borneol
bottle gourd
bran
Broussonetia
butternut
bасора
cabbage
cactus
cantaloupe
carrot
cascara sagrada
cascaroside
castor oil
Celosia
chamomile
Chenopodium
chicory
chirata
Chondrus
cinnamon
Citrus
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
Clostridium butyricum
coconut
coconut milk
Coptis chinensis
cowage seed
cucumber
Curcuma
currant
curry leaf
Cyclanthera pedata
Cynomorium
date
dianthrone
dioscorea
dodder
Eclipta
fennel
fiber
fiber blend (proprietary)
fig
Frangula
fructan
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
galactomannan
galactooligosaccharides
Galangal
Glucofrangulin
grape
green banana
guar gum
Guava
honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Hydroxycellulose
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian kinotree
Indian tinospora
indigo leaves
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
Jalap
jujube
jungli-bean
karaya gum
Kefir
lactitol
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
lemon
ligustilides
lodhtree
long pepper
luffa
Methylcellulose
Moringa
Mucilage
Mugwort
Myrobalan
Nettle
nut grass
Nutmeg
Nymphaea nouchali
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Ophiopogon
orange
Oryza sativa
Osmanthus
Palmyra
papaya
peach
pear
Phaeophyceae
phellodendron amurense
Phyllanthus
pineapple
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Plantago
plum fruit
Polygonum
polyphenols
polysaccharides
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
probiotics
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
punarnava
Pyrrosia
raspberry
Rhamnus nakaharai
rhizome
rhubarb
ricinoleic acid
root tuber
Rubiaceae
seaweed
senna
Sennosides
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Sicklepod
Slippery Elm
slippery elm bark
Solanum indicum
soursop
spinach
squawvine
streptococcus thermophilus
Sulfated polysaccharide
sweet flag
Tamaricaceae
Tamarind
Tea
Triphala
turmeric
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
Watermelon
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Yacon
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by luffa
Abdominal PainAbscesses
Acid Indigestion
Arthritis
Asthma
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (decongestant)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Edema
Fever
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
