Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PATOLA
Patola is commonly cultivated here for its edible fruit, but is not
established. It is in cultivation in the Old World Tropics.
Burkill quotes van Dongen [Bekn. Overtz. Geneesmidd. Ned. Oost Ind.
(1913) 174], who says that a decoction of the leaves is used in Java for uraemia
and amenorrhea. Nadkarni reports that the leaves are applied locally in splenitis,
hemorrhoids, and leprosy. The juice of the fresh leaves is dropped into the eyes
of children in granular conjunctivitis, and also prevent the lids from adhering at
night on account of adrenal variety of diabetes. Dymock, Warden, and Hooper
says that the juice of the leaves is used as an external application to sores and
the bites of venomous animals.
Nadkarni adds that an infusion of the ripe fruit (1 in 80) is used in doses of
one to two ounces, 20 to 30 grains of the dried kernel. The oil of the seeds is
used in skin complaints. Hooper states that in Iran and Iraq, the infused seeds
are given as a purgative and an emetic. Dymock, Warden, and Hooper record
that the pulp of the fruit is administered internally to cause vomiting and purging,
just as calocynth is used. The dried fruit is powdered and made into a snuff for
those suffering from jaundice.