Lagenariya is a vegetable, originally from the subtropics and the tropics. In the people it is called bottle gourd, Vietnamese zucchini, Indian cucumber, gourd or gourd. This name it received because of the appearance and unusual elongated-convex pear-shaped.
And in Ukrainian Bessarabia the vegetable has a funny name - tarakutska, from the Romanian expression “tart kutza” - “dried pumpkin”. With a huge amount of useful and healing properties, lagenaria is widely popular among nutritionists, athletes, cosmetologists, folk healers and people who want to normalize their own weight.
Nutritional value and chemical composition of lagenaria
Lagenariya is a vegetable culture of the pumpkin family, which has 7 species of plants. The shape is similar to a pear or a round bottle. It has a juicy white flesh that tastes like an ordinary pumpkin.
For culinary purposes, they use not only the fruit, but also leaves and antennae. Lagenaria contains a large amount of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and also has a very low calorie content. 
Among the useful and nutrients - zinc, selenium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, potassium, sodium, calcium, iron, vitamins of groups A, B, C. Also useful for health are amino acids that are contained in this vegetable: arginine, lysine, tryptophan, valine.
Vegetable pulp contains 4.8-7% dry matter (2.5-5% sugar, 0.55% protein, 0.12% fat). At the same time, lagenaria is practically free of fat and cholesterol. 100 grams of lagenaria product contains 15 kcal.
Did you know? Lagenariya is a unique vegetable, the use of which is not only in its nutritional value. In some countries in Africa and Asia, they make dishes, musical instruments, pipes, vases and children's toys out of its fruits. From the stalks lagenarii weave ropes, a variety of products. Oil is produced from seeds, which is successfully used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology.
What is useful for the rich composition of Lagenaria?
Lagenaria is characterized by active growth, reaching 12-15 m. Fruits can grow up to 1.2 m., And in the south even up to 3 m., Weighing from 3 to 15 kg. Due to its rich chemical composition, lagenaria is more than beneficial to the human body.
Its fruits, leaves and seeds contain a large number of nutrients that enhance immunity, prevent colds and infectious diseases. 
The substances contained in the leaves, reduce blood pressure, normalize the work of the heart and blood vessels, blood circulation, strengthen the bones. The use of this vegetable helps to clean the kidneys and liver, get rid of stones and salts, reduce cholesterol levels in the body.
Lagenariya helps to accelerate the metabolism, which is useful for losing weight. In addition, the lagenaria contains active ingredients that help restore the skin and speed healing of wounds and skin lesions.
Natural antioxidants contained in the bottle gourd, slow down the aging process and give the skin elasticity. Scientific studies have shown that in the composition of the vegetable there are substances that reduce the risk of cancer and the formation of cysts and tumors.
Did you know? Archaeological excavations carried out in Peru showed that they made dishes from lagenaria more than 12,000 years ago. The plant is often mentioned in ancient Chinese manuscripts, which say that even then lagenaria was considered the queen of vegetables. Lagenariya has long been valued by the inhabitants of ancient China for its use and the absence of harm to the body. It was even grown at the court of the Chinese emperor for the manufacture of vases and vessels, which he gave to his best subjects as a sign of special location.
The use of lagenarii in traditional medicine, recipes
The use of lagenaria in traditional medicine is widespread. For these purposes, use both the leaves and the fruits of the plant. Infusions of petioles or pulp are used in diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as strengthening the body's immunity.
Also, immunity is positively influenced by: safflower, horseradish, garlic, savory, apples, ramson, fir, black walnut, aloe, almonds, white sturgeon, viburnum, dogwood, magnolia vine, mint, basil, melissa.
To prepare such an infusion, boil 15-20 g of petioles or 50 g of fresh pulp of lagenariya on low heat for about 10-15 minutes in 500 ml of water. Let it brew for two hours, strain and drink half a cup three times a day before eating. 
Juice is squeezed out of the leaves of the plant and lotions are prepared for the treatment of skin diseases, dermatitis, rashes. Consumption of lagenaria seeds helps to excrete worms from the body.
To do this, 250 g of raw, peeled seeds are ground in a mortar, pour 50 ml of water, add a tablespoon of honey and mix thoroughly. Take this mixture on an empty stomach in small portions within an hour. After 3-4 hours take a laxative.
In case of kidney diseases, it is helpful to drink half a glass (about 125-150 g) of freshly squeezed bottle gourd juice per day. 
Lagenariya is also used to treat catarrh of the stomach, mashed from its raw, young fruits. A pound of pulp must be crushed in a blender or meat grinder and is eaten throughout the day for three to four months.
This product is also used for the prevention of sclerosis and diabetes.
How to use lagenaria for healthy skin and hair
Such a large amount of vitamins and minerals in a bottle gourd cannot remain unnoticed among lovers of homemade natural cosmetics, who call lagenaria a “beauty vegetable”.
Means prepared on the basis of lagenaria improve the complexion, preserve the health of the skin and rejuvenate it. The plant prevents the secretion of excess skin fat, which prevents the formation of acne and acne.
Vegetable has a moisturizing effect, having a high water content, it keeps the skin tone, making it smooth and elastic. To cleanse and nourish the skin, you can apply a tonic from a mixture of lagenaria juice, cucumber and kefir on your face. 
You can also make a hair mask from lagenaria, which will help strengthen the hair, prevent early baldness and graying. To do this, mix the bottle gourd juice with olive or any other vegetable oil useful for hair (almond, jojoba, coconut, grape seed) and apply on each strand.
Hold under a warm hat or towel and wash off after 2 hours. Regular use of this mask will eliminate dandruff, give your hair a healthy shine.
Lagenariya and dietology: how to get rid of excess weight
The inclusion of lagenaria in the diet is shown to those who want to lose weight, the beneficial properties of this vegetable help speed up the metabolism and remove toxins.
Also for weight loss you can drink 200 g of juice of lagenaria on an empty stomach. Thanks to the fiber, which is contained in the composition of the vegetable, toxins and free radicals are eliminated from the body, which contributes to the natural loss of excess weight and prevents obesity.
If you are going to have a long-term diet, lagenaria should be introduced into the diet gradually to avoid possible allergic reactions to individual intolerance. 
The use of lagenarii in cooking
Not only the lagenaria vegetable itself is eaten, but also its shoots, leaves and seeds. But still, using lagenaria in cooking, special preference is given to the fruits of this plant.
You can carry out any culinary processing vegetables as well as for pumpkin or zucchini. Lagenariya is boiled, fried, stewed, baked, canned, grilled, and prepared for soups and side dishes.
The boiled pulp of the fruit lagenarii put in salads, appetizers and even desserts. Very tasty is the vegetable puree and milk porridge with the addition of the pulp of this fruit.
From the lagenarii, as well as from the zucchini and pumpkin, you can cook vegetable caviar and preserve it for the winter. You can bake lagenarium of small size as a whole, stuffing it with meat, fish, mushrooms, rice or buckwheat, and vegetables. From the tender young pulp they prepare an original dressing for meat and vegetable dishes. 
What you need to remember about the use of lagenariya, harm and contraindications of the plant
Like any other food product, lagenaria has useful properties and contraindications to use. Although the harm that can bring lagenariya, it is difficult to call significant.
You should not use this vegetable during pregnancy, with individual intolerance, as well as people who have a tendency to allergies. Do not abuse children, people who have serious problems with digestion, assimilation of food and those who have low blood pressure.
Important! Regardless of the variety of lagenaria, you need to use the fruits until they fully mature, as over time they gradually dry out from the inside, losing useful components, therefore it is undesirable to use them.
