Wax Gourd (Benincasa hispida), also known as ash gourd or winter melon, has a long history of use in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In these traditions, wax gourd is valued for its purported cooling, diuretic, and detoxifying properties. Some classical Ayurvedic texts suggest its use for supporting liver and gallbladder health, generally as part of formulations aimed at promoting bile flow and reducing “heat” or inflammation in the digestive tract. In TCM, it is considered to clear heat and promote urination, and is sometimes used for conditions believed to involve dampness or stagnation, which could be loosely interpreted as sluggishness in organs such as the gallbladder.

However, there is a lack of rigorous scientific studies specifically examining wax gourd’s effects on gallbladder function, whether in cases of sluggishness or after gallbladder removal. Modern clinical trials or animal studies directly linking wax gourd to improved bile secretion, prevention of gallstone formation, or compensation for gallbladder loss are virtually absent. Most available research focuses on its general antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic effects.

In summary, the use of wax gourd for gallbladder support is primarily justified by traditional usage rather than by scientific validation, and the evidence supporting its benefit in this specific context is weak.