Gourd: A healthy Vegetable

Yaqtin means gourd or pumpkin, although the word Yaqtin entails more meanings than these two. Yaqtin in Arabic means every tree that does not have a stem, such as watermelon and cucumbers.

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) is popularly known as lauki, ghia or dudhi in India.

Cut gourd

Gourd

Allah said:

“And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.” (37:146)

If someone says that the word tree means every plant that has a stem or a trunk and that which does not have a stem or a trunk is called Najm, not a tree.

Hence, why did Allah say,

"A plant of gourd to grow over him." (37:146)

We answer this question by stating that the word 'tree' describes the plants that have stems in general. Yet sometimes, this word is meant to describe something specific [to describe Yaqtin for instance]. Understanding the areas where the texts speak in general terms and the areas where a specific meaning is meant is a great door to understanding the Arabic Language. The Yaqtin mentioned in the Qura'an is the pumpkin, which is In addition called Dubbaa, Qpr and Yaqtin.

In the Sahihain it is narrated by Anas bin Malik that a tailor once invited the Messenger of Allah eat from some food that he made. Anas went with the Messenger of Allah and the tailor brought forth some bread made from barley and some soup that had Dubbaa and dried meat. I saw the Messenger of Allah follow the traces of the Dubbaa all around the edge of the pot, which made me love Dubbaa ever since that day." Abu Talut In addition said, "I entered upon Anas bin Malik while he was eating Dubbaa and saying [referring to the Yaqtin tree], 'You are a tree that is so dear to me because the Messenger of Allah used to like eating you.””

Yaqtin is a type of cold and wet plant and a light food that is easily digested. If the gourd was not spoiled in the stomach before being completely digested, it produces a good mixture in the stomach, especially when one eats similar or compatible types of food with it. For example, mixing mustard and pumpkin produces bitter humor, while eating it with salt makes it salty and with constrictive substances makes it constipate. When it is cooked with Safarjal (quince), it will provide good nutrition for the body.

Gourd is light on the stomach, especially for those who do not suffer from phlegm or cold condition. The wetness contained in this plant helps ease the thirst and headaches if one drinks its extract or washes his head with it. In addition, gourd soothes the stomach however one uses it, and is very beneficial for those who have hot temperaments.

In addition, when the Yaqtin is kneaded with dough and baked in the oven and then its extract is mixed with some light drinks, it helps cool down fever, quenches the thirst and constitutes a good, nutritious food. If it was mixed with quince jam and Manna, it eliminates bile.

When pumpkin is cooked and its juice is mixed with some honey and Natron, it will cause phlegm and acid. If gourd was ground and then the head is bandaged with it, it will help ease the hot swellings in the cerebrum.

When the gourd rinds are squeezed and the extract is mixed with rose oil and used as ear drops, it will help against hot tumors. In addition, its rind helps ease the swelling of hot eye infections and against gout.

In addition, gourd is very useful for those who have hot temperaments and those suffering from fever. When gourd finds some spoiled mixtures in the stomach it gets spoiled causing harmful mixtures in the stomach. In this case, one should treat this condition with vinegar and sour substances.

In general, gourd is one of the lightest foods and the most easily digested. Anas narrated that the Messenger of Allah b used to like eating it.