Lauki, dudhi or bottle gourd holds pride of place in the Indian Ayurvedic medical system. Here is why our ancestors included it in their regular diet, and why it still makes sense to do so.Lauki is 96.1% water, so is light on the stomach and aids digestion. A 100 gm serving of lauki contains just twelve calories and is ideal if you are watching your weight.
Health benefits of lauki
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Cooked lauki is cooling, calming and acts as diuretic. It makes you relax after eating. But don’t eat the vegetable raw as it can harm the stomach and intestines.
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It plays a very important role in treating urinary disorders. Prepare a glass of fresh juice by grating lauki and then mixing it with limejuice. Drink it once a day to combat the burning sensation caused by the high acidity of urine. It can be had along with sulpha drugs to treat urinary infection as it acts as an alkaline diuretic.
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Lauki juice is an excellent remedy for excessive thirst caused by diarrhea, over consumption of fatty or fried foods, and diabetes. Drink a glass of this juice with a little salt added to it to treat this condition.
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A glass of lauki juice with a little salt added to it prevents excessive loss of sodium, satiating thirst and keeping you refreshed in summer.
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If you are on a low calorie diet, suffering from digestive problems, are diabetic or convalescing, then lauki is must for you as it is easily digestible and low in calories.
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I have read the above on ‘lauki’ juice. And I have a question.
If the juice is taken from the ‘lauki’ and drunk first thing in the morning, is it harmful? Because, you say that ‘raw’ lauki should not be eaten, what about the juice? Secondly, can it taken on a daily basis? How much is safe?
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It can be had raw in limited quantities. 50 ml-100ml is good enough and it can be diluted. Juicing always changes the chemical composition hence its juice is safer to be had.
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Is it true that bottle guard juice can clean the deposited lipids/cholestrol in the arteries/veins?
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Not exactly…the fiber in bottle gourd is beneficial in preventing lipid deposits. Fiber is the key to reduce plaque formation.
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Thank you for the reply.
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hi.. i have started drinking bottle gourd juice .. first thing in the morning.. i mix the bottle gourd with a little luke warm water and churn and then filter and have the juice… is this beneficial for weight loss or am i doing it the wrong way.. please let me know the right way if i am wrong..
thanks
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
March 12th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Bottle gourd juice cannot burn fat but will help you to lose weight as it helps to put down calories. It is quite safe to include in your daily routine. Bottle gourd juice is low on calories and provides many vitamins and minerals which help in the better digestion of food. Do continue to drink it.
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Hi,
I heard that bottle gourd juice helps in reducing weight . can we take it in early morning before walk , n also can u tel me the quantity of the juice to be taken and also how to prepare it , can we add little salt to the juice .can u also pls tel know me how much weight can be reduced in a month if we take the juice on daily basis.
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
March 31st, 2009 at 10:59 am
Bottle gourd does not burn off fat. You need to look into your total caloric intake to lose weight. It is the fiber present in bottle gourd or any other vegetable juice for that matter which helps. If you have a glass of 150-200ml is sufficient. Do not remove all the fiber and add just a pinch of salt. I cannot tell you how much of weight can be lost as I said before weight loss can be triggered only by a low calorie diet and adequate exercise. Bottle gourd juice is just a part of the diet that will help you to lose weight, but not the only source that can make you lose weight.
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Hi,
I read all above FAQs its realy helpful, please make it clear when we have to take Lauki juice Early Morning (Empy Stomach) or any time in a day.
Please tell me about more benifits.
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hi,
i wanted to have this bottle gourd juice. bt, I’m new to it, i mean i don’t know how to prepare it & have it? so, would u please let me clear my doubts.
thakning you…
Prasad…..
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
April 28th, 2009 at 9:12 am
It is very easy to make. You will need to remove the peel and cut the vegetable and add into a juicer or blender and strain.
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I am Obese, with chronic psoriasis and wish to have natural detoxification, can lauki juice and ash gourd juice help for that. Can curry leaves be added to it or do you have suggestion.
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
May 7th, 2009 at 10:22 am
You need to look into your diet. Detoxification is not the only cure. These juices can help as they provide a lot of nutrients. But you need to look into the triggers which can cause psoriasis. Junk food, soft drinks like coke, spices,oily food and few conditions worsen with intake of vitamin C, although not always true. Drink a lot of water and zinc supplements and multivitamins under a doctors supervision. Exercise regularly to lose weight and maintain a healthy diet.
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hi, i m research scholar and working on th effect of Bottle gourd (LS)juice on myocardial infarction.is there any report thet BG have antioxidant activity, if yes, please tell me the ref.
thanking you
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
June 17th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Hi, I do not have any report pertaining to anti oxidant activity of bottle gourd. Bottle gourd does not contain the vitamins such as Vitamin A,C and E which are the main antioxidants. Hence it is not rich in antioxidants.
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I have just recovered from my third acute pancreatitis attack (in one year). my doctor says it is idioptathic and no specific cause for it. what kind of food i shoud ear or should avoid? i am a vegetarian. Thanks.
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
August 14th, 2009 at 11:05 am
A post on pancreatitis coming soon…..
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Rajan Reply:
August 14th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Thank you very much…..
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hello….
i am an using bottle gourd juice for the purpose of heart blockage for i was detected with the same couple of years ago…i have been doing with this juice since a month now and i am feeling that it takes huge time to adjust to it…whats the appropriate intake of the juice and the timings to be taken soo…i wanted to ask if the juice works for the purpose i am in…can u suggest me any other such diet for i want to avoid the operation as far as possible…i sometimes feel excessive problem with chest pain…but want to go with what nature has given us…i am taking all measures possible for this….
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Bottle guard juice really works in loss of weight considerably. I could loss weight by 7 KGs in two months.
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how to preapre this juice
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can u pl tel me on medical terms if the bottle gourd juice can cure diabetics?
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 1:17 pm
No, there is no cure for diabetes and bottle gourd juice can help by providing the fiber it needs for blood sugar control….
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can i have the complete composition of the bottle gourd juice…i mean the carbohydrate content and the fibre…
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
September 7th, 2009 at 9:55 am
For 100 grams of bottle gourd, It contains 2.6 grams of carbohydrate and 0.6 gram of fiber.
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Plz can u tell me about neem juice.i have acne problem.so if i will take neem juice early morning with empty stmoach.it will be helpful or not.Plz tell me if it have any side effects
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It is said that fresh juice of Dudhi otherwise called as White Guard is as nourishing as Mother’s Milk.It is cooling,laxative, nutritive and delicious.Very refreshing it is and good for the heart.It gives strength and vigour, controls cough and the secretion of bile.All benefits one gets if the juice of white guard is mixed with a little honey and taken as medicine as I am doing at my young age of 84. From T.S.Sundaram. Bangalore.
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TO:- Sanjana,Dietician.
What I write now is not about Dudhi, but something else. This may be transferred to the appropriate site as you desire.
I am a regular consumer of Sprouts along with food and sometimes alone.Mainly Moong seeds and Kabuli Chana. First I wash them thoroughly in water to remove mud, soil, dirt etc., put them in water for soaking. After 8 to 10 hours I change the water,but I do not through that water.Instead,I drink it because it must contain some good nutrients.I have no dislike for drinking that water and it is going on for quite some time. Is there any harm in drinking that water please.? Awaiting your valued advice in the matter. From T.S.Sundaram. Bangalore.
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Hi,
Please let me know if this process of making lauki juice is proper or not
– Peel off the lauki
– Cut the peeled off lauki into pieces
– Grate them into small pieces
– Microwave the grated portion for 2 mins
– Put the heated grated lauki into a Blender and make juice
– Take it first in the morning.
Also
– I have about 500 ml of lauki juice in the morning. Is it ok to have so much ?
– I dont strain the lauki juice, so sometimes it contains the lauki seeds also in the juice. Is it safe to have the non-strained juice?
Please let me know the details
Thanks,
Deepesh
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 am
Hi Deepesh,
I suggest you should not boil the lauki juice. It kills all the nutrients. 500ml of juice is too much. 200 ml of juice is quite sufficient.
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Deepesh Reply:
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 pm
But in your post I can see the below comment
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But don’t eat the vegetable raw as it can harm the stomach and intestines.
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This is why i thought we should boil it and use it. If I dont boil it will still be raw isnt it ?
Thanks,
Deepesh
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
Yes, it will still be raw. But if you blenderize it, then it will be better.
Hi, I know that bottle gourd has amazing nutritional value. But my husband hates the vegetable! So I make a vegetable stock by cutting lauki and boiling it on sim for 30 mins. I then use this water/stock for my dals. I don’t use the pulp.
Is this ok? I hope I’m getting some nutrition from it otherwise the whole effort is a waste.
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
October 12th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Lets hope so too.
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hi, i am in saudi arabia,, and my son has nose bleeding problem,(as doctor says its common here, we live in ac rooms), is this lauki juice is helpful remedy for this problem,
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
No, lauki juice will not help in this condition.
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dinesh Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
THANK U FOR REPLYING,
CAN U SUGGEST ME ANY OTHER GOOD HOME REMEDIES FOR THIS PROBLEM
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
October 12th, 2009 at 10:55 am
I do not have any remedies with me but if I do find out, I will let you know.
dinesh Reply:
October 16th, 2009 at 9:45 am
thanx a lot
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Madam
Since last 3 months I am having Lauki juice about 250ml (without fibre) mixed with AMLA juice about 50 ml in morning daily empty stomach & lunch subsequently.
I have lost about 6-7 Kgs of wt but since last 15 -20 days I am having pain in knees & leg below during squating & then standing.
Is it the effect of bones getting weak due to lauki juice & should I continue.
Pl advice.
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
October 7th, 2009 at 10:24 am
Rajesh,
Are you living only on juices? Are your drastically reducing your food intake? This weakness could be because you are overdoing your diet and omitting out the needed nutrients. You can send me a mail on your daily food intake. I can check and advise.
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Madam,
I had written to you about Sprouts some days ago, but no reply so far. Kindly oblige me with your valuable advice. This old man of the age of 84 is waiting for your valuable reply.
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
October 12th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Sorry for the delay in reply. I was so held up at work that I had to take a break from my site work.
I am personally do not advise you to drink the soaked water as it may contain contaminants such as eggs of worms, bacteria etc. Being in the geriatric ages, one has to be careful by not contracting any infections. So I suggest you avoid it.
But you can get better nutrients, by cooking the sprouts with mild spices and extracting the soup out of it which is much more nutritious than soaked sprouts. Try this and let me know.
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I have put a stop to drinking the water in which Moong seeds etc,. are soaked for sprouting them as advised by Sanjana. In fact, I have also immediately stopped eating Raw groundnut seeds, I repeat, Raw ground nut seeds, my favourite, which are normally fumigated to ward off insects,pests etc.to preserve them for long. Thanks to Sanjana’s advice.
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Dear Sanjana,
My height is 5.5 feet & weight is 80 kg.
i have reduced my weight by 6 kgs & was 74 kgs between august 2008 to feb’2009 as i was doing jym since last 2008 year(1 year)
but after there was a gap about 8 months & i ve started again the gym from this month(oct.) now my weight is 80 kg.
my daily food as follows..
1. every day – LAUKI jUICE 1 GLASS EMPTY STOMACH
2. BREAKFAST AT 9.30 A.M.
POHE/CHAPATI-BHAJI/SWEET
CORN/MAGGIE/BOILED EGG/BROWN BREAD ETC.
3. LUNCH AT 2.00 PM
ONLY 2 CHAPATIS WITH VEGGIES
4. DINNER AT 9.00 PM
RICE/KHICHADI/KADHI/DAAL
OR SOMETIMES 3 CHAPATIS WITH VEGGIES.
CAN U PLEASE TELL ME HOW I SHOULD DO THE DIET & HOW I CAN REDUCE THE WEIGHT ??
I WANT TO REDUCE THE WEIGHT BY 10-12 KGS.
PLEASE GUIDE ME.
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As the white gourd has a very low carbohydrates content in it, it can be freely consumed by even diabetic patients. Boiled white gourd eliminates constipation and reduces blood-acidity.
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Water content in White Gourd is 96.3% and Carbohydrates 2.9%. Iron content is around 0.7mg/100gm.
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Hi,
I’m overweight by 10kgs. I’ve started having veggie soup in the afternoons without any lunch. The soup has a lot of bottle gourd also. My dinner is normal 2 chapatties with vege.
PLease suggest as to how I can lose my weight fast.
Thanks
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Sanjana - Dietitian Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 10:41 am
There are no short cuts to lose weight…Exercise and eat healthy…….
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Geetha,
Immediately on reading your mail, what comes to my mind is that for reducing weight you should start doing some physical exercises or practicing Yoga from a good yoga teacher.Yoga is for both sexes. Yoga as you might know, is a part of Indian tradition. It is a very effective way of losing weight. Practicing the same is like getting the dual benefit from the same exercise the weight loss and secondly, a perfect toned up body. Practicing Surya mamaskar 10 times a day to be started in a gradual manner depending on the body pain you get,will also be effective. Surya namaslkar increases the perspiration rate of an individual leading to increased metabolic rate and thus adding to burning fat.
There is no cut and dried method to reduce weight.One has to put some efforts. Skipping food during breakfast or lunch is not a solution. Keep always in mind the old Manthra “Eat Breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dinner like a Pauper and start with some yoga or surya namaskar or other exercises.
Before starting anything,do consult your family physician for doing exercises.
Wish you good luck.
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I reproduce below for the benefit of readers some of the properties of Ash Guard, popularly known in india as “Petha”, which I read recently in a paper.
Ash guard being low in calories, is used to treat Obesity.
It maintains PH ratio in our system for the ill effects of excessive acidity in our stomach because of intake of acidic things like softdrinks.
It tones up digestive system and removes constipation.
Cough, common cold, fever, influenza, bronchitis , sinusitis, get controlled to some extent depending on one’s constitution.
It has an effective cure on pyorrhea and bleeding gums.
More than anything else, this being grown on creepers, has the highest Prana or “Life force” which helps make meditation more effective.
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May I share with all of you my view on making juice from vegetables, whether it be, Bitter guard,or Ash guard,or Bottle guard or any other vegetable.
The very purpose of one consuming the vegetable juice is for health purpose.The recovery from an ailment depends on the availability of all the nutrients contained in the fruits or vegetables used for extracting the juice.
Juices must always be fresh.Only fresh,LIVE juices are effective for cure of diseases. For example, carotene(which is converted into Vitamin “A”)found in vegetables is very sensitive to oxygen in the air. For example if carrots are shredded and kept unused for for some time most of the Vitamin “A”is oxidised.Similarly, if lemon, orange, musumbi and other citrus fruits which contain Vitamin “C” are preserved for a long time, about 40% of their vitamin “C” is lost.Even a refrigerator cannot prevent this loss.
These facts emphazise that fruits and vegetables should as far as possible be fresh,and the juice must be extracted as and when required fresh and live, so that all the elements are fairly intact and fresh for consumption.
Anothermatterofimportanceishowtoextractthe juicefromthe fruits and vegetables.Theyshouldbe washedwell,shredded orcutbeforeextractingthe juice.Then immediately they shouldbeout intothejuicerforextractingthe juice. in shortthe extraction ofjuicemuxt be quick whichever methodone may chosose. The nutritionalelements containedinthe juicemustbe preserved without gettingoxidised.
Rinda and fibres offruitsand vegetables arerichsourcesofvitamins.Sowhileextractingthe juicecthey shouldbegrushedproperly. Carehastobe takenthatthejuiceready fordrinkimgdoesnotcontain fibreorrind.
preserved juices losetheirpreciousnutrients.itisalsonotasdvisabletoextractatatimethejuicerequiredforthewholeday. Maximumliveelementswiththeminimumlabourshould be the aim.
A word aboutdrinkingthe juice.Juiceshouldnotjustbegulpedinonestroke.Itshouldbedrunkslowlywithaspoon orsipbysip.sothat it getsmixedeith saliva which helpsthesugarin the juiceget digested.Within 20to25minutesthejuicewhich goesintothe stomachwillgetdigested.
Do notaddany sugar,orpepperorsalttothe juice and anyother spice andcondiments.Alsodonotmixthelive juice freshlypreparedwith cannedor bottledjuices
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hi sanjana. i’m 39yrs weight 67kgs ht 5’81/2″ .i try to lead a healthy lifestyle with minimum fried items and oil.we hardly have non veg food .i go for walks as often as i can .my dad ,uncles and aunt had heart attacks. my cholestrol is 235 triglyceride 87, hdl 44, ldl 170 total chol/hdl 5.3. do i need to take medicines or is it ok. i don’t have milk at all . i have egg once a week is it ok or can we have 2eggs in a week.we’ve started having lauki juice as well. can we make any other changes in our food habits.my husbands chol is 247 and ldl is 179.weight 69kgs and ht 5’11″ thanks sneha
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Nowdays lauki juice is available in powder form which you have to mix in water and drink on empty stomach. Is that as effective as fresh juice for wt loss?
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LOUKI
Yes, Louki’s time has come to be in powder form. Already it is available in juice form in various medical shops. This great guard of health, humble and neglected, joins other health giving herbs and vegetables such as garlic, neem, pepper, ginger, famous amla, cloves , turmeric, tulsi etc, in finding a place on the shelves of chemist shops. All the goodness of Louki will be very conveniently available now for the benefit of health in the hands of everybody in powder and juice form.
Having said these , it is my personal view that the best way possible to maintain one’s health in a natural way which can nourish every organ of our body and make them active, is by taking juices freshly prepared from vegetables or fruits and consumed as immediately as one could.
Today markets are flooded with many vegetables in powder form which require just water for mixing and drinking. Fresh juices extracted from raw vegetables have more nutrition and vitality. Minerals, enzymes etc can be consumed also in the natural form,only if juices are prepared fresh from vegetables. Certainly, there will be deterioration in the vitamins, minerals,and enzymes in the powder form of vegetables. Further, the dried powder is a sort of processed item.
One should therefore as far as possible try to drink juice freshly prepared and not those available in powder form, but in case of those who are frequently on travelling jobs or move frequently from their permanent place of residence, can have the powder handy with them for use on such occasions so that there is no break in their daily habit.
Today even Ayurvedic institutions are keeping up the time by manufacturing their classic medicines in tablet forms from their traditional packs which are in solid, semi-solid and liquid form, for which they obtain the requisite permission from the authorities concerned. It is therefore ineffectual and fruitless to discuss about the merits and de-merits of Louki in powder form for consumption and one has to accept the same.
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Dear Madam,
I would like to know that shall we take every day bajri roti or jawari roti. It is good for health please let me know
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hi..is it safe to put onions in lauki ki sabzi? coz last night i had and was having bad stomech problem..
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This is in response to Payal’s one line message of January 23, 2010.
I myself tried a dish of onion and lauki and consumed it at dinner time. Though, to me , the combination of onion and lauki as a sabzi did not appeal much at the very first reading of payal’s message, I consumed the prepared dish. I had no stomach problem at night and slept well.The reason for payal’s bad stomach problem may be something else.
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Hay,
I am taking daily 1/2 piece of biiter guard,1/4 piece of lauki (bottle guard), a full piece of carrot and one amla (if available)mixing in a mixture and making juice of these for continuesly past two months.
Please advice is it good for health taking multiple vege mix juice or I am making some mistake.
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Mr. Vijesh Kumar’s query is pertinent one. My views are as follows:-
A diet containing vegetables in juice form consumed is harmless, reliable and without any side effects. Such a diet has been proved as a successful experiment for preventing aging and rejuvenation of the body. Even if such a juice is taken in exceess once in a way, there will be no harm. It is logical to prefer juice therapy to any other risk involying procedure for maintaining one’s health. “Let everything be in Limit” is the Mantra one has to remember always..
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dear madam,
I m preganant of 4months now doctors detect tht i hv some diabetic problem for which i m taking dieticians advice and under control can i hv lauki in this stage to hv low risk in blood sugar . pls advice me
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Mrs. Mranjanidash:-
You say you are 4 months pregnant. Already you are looked after by a doctor. And a dietician also is helping you with advice and your blood sugar problem is under control.This being so,it is always better for you to take advices from your doctor and dietician who by now have known more about your state of health , particularly when you are pregnant. Please do not go by what we say . Each one of us will give a different advice and I am totally not for it, particularly when you have facilities on hand to give you advice.
The above is my personel advice and I conclude this by wishing you all the best.
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Why does Lauki juice make you lose weight?
I have read all the benefits and effects, but I would like to know how does it help in losing weight? What is there in the jucie that is different from other diet drinks?
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Let me know please as to how to register with you to enable to ask health & diet related questions.
Thanks
Prakash K.
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Administrator Reply:
April 11th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Hi Prakash,
To ask diet related questions please follow this link http://nutrihealth.in/online-consultation/
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Dear madam,
I am 45yrs old, weigh 90kgs, and am 176cms tall. My cholestrol level is 230 and triglycerides are 320.
my questions are
1. I used to have 250 ml of lauki juice (mixed with karela juice)earlier but have discontinued for last 3 month every alternate day. should i resume.
2. Are there any adverse effects of mixing lauki juice wiuth karela juice
3. I intend to have a 250 ml combo of Lauki Juice + karela juice + aloe vera(50ml) + flax seeds. is it okay to have this combo.
4. How do i reduce tryglycerides without medication.
Appreciate your advise and assistance in this matter.
Regards
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Hi,
I have a Cesarean baby 2 years back, wanted to check if bottle gourd juice & 1 tbsp of flax seed powder can really help me in tuck in my tummy. Will this juice work for Cesarean patient also to reduce weight. Ofcourse i’ll do the brisk walking alongwith.
regards,
Neetu Thakur
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Dear Sanjana,
i just wanted to thank you for all the information you provided me with and for the wonderful website you run. what you do is amazing!
alicja
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Hi everyone,
Lauki is very good for health provided taken in limited quantity else it can be life threatening.
I use to drink 1.5 glass of lauki juice for 2 weeks . I developed severe low blood pressure one day ( i dont have low BP problem Otherwise) just somehow saved my life.
Please dont drink too much better less than 1 glass if u have low BP mix honey.Also very important never ever drink bitter Lauki els u r gone please be aware of bad effercts of good things..
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