Background

• Luffa operculata is a plant in the family Cucurbitaceae. In some cultures, young luffa fruits are eaten as vegetables.
• Traditionally, an infusion from the dried fruit is taken into the nose, where it causes the release of mucus, thereby relieving many nasal symptoms.
• Well-designed clinical trials in support of Luffa operculata for any use are lacking. Further research is required.

References

1. Adler, M. Efficacy and safety of a fixed-combination homeopathic therapy for sinusitis. Adv.Ther. 1999;16(2):103-111. View Abstract
2. Kawahara, N., Kurata, A., Hakamatsuka, T., Sekita, S., and Satake, M. Two novel cucurbitacins, neocucurbitacins A and B, from the Brazilian folk medicine "Buchinha" (Luffa operculata) and their effect on PEBP2alphaA and OCIF gene expression in a human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cell line. Chem.Pharm.Bull.(Tokyo) 2001;49(10):1377-1379. View Abstract
3. Kawahara, N., Kurata, A., Hakamatsuka, T., Sekita, S., and Satake, M. Two new cucurbitacin glucosides, opercurins A and B, from the Brazilian folk medicine "Buchinha" (Luffa operculata). Chem.Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2004;52(8):1018-1020. View Abstract
4. Kloss, P. [On the bitter substance from Luffa operculata Cogn.]. Arch Pharm Ber.Dtsch.Pharm Ges. 1966;299(4):351-355. View Abstract
5. Menon-Miyake, M. A., Saldiva, P. H., Lorenzi-Filho, G., Ferreira, M. A., Butugan, O., and Oliveira, R. C. Luffa operculata effects on the epithelium of frog palate: histological features. Braz.J Otorhinolaryngol. 2005;71(2):132-138. View Abstract
6. Menon-Miyake, M. A., Carvalho de, Oliveira R., Lorenzi-Filho, G., Saldiva, P. H., and Butugan, O. Luffa operculata affects mucociliary function of the isolated frog palate. Am J Rhinol. 2005;19(4):353-357. View Abstract
7. Matos, F. D. J. and Gottlieb, O. R. Isocucurbitacine B Cytotoxic Constituant of Luffa Operculata. So Anais Da Acadamia Brasileira De Ciencias 1967;39(2):245.
8. Weiser, M., Gegenheimer, L. H., and Klein, P. A randomized equivalence trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Luffa comp.-Heel nasal spray with cromolyn sodium spray in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Forsch.Komplementarmed. 1999;6(3):142-148. View Abstract
9. Wiesenauer, M., Gaus, W., Bohnacker, U., and Haussler, S. [Efficiency of homeopathic preparation combinations in sinusitis. Results of a randomized double blind study with general practitioners]. Arzneimittelforschung. 1989;39(5):620-625. View Abstract
10. Wiesenauer, M., Gaus, W., Bohnacker, U., and Haussler, S. [Efficiency of homeopathic preparation combinations in sinusitis. Results of a randomized double blind study with general practitioners]. Arzneimittelforschung. 1989;39(5):620-625. View Abstract
11. ZIEGLER, E. [ON THE PROBLEM OF SUPPORTIVE HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF THROAT, NOSE AND EAR DISEASES, DISCUSSED WITH LUFFA OPERCULATA AS AN EXAMPLE.]. HNO 1963;11:351-352. View Abstract
12. ZIEGLER, E. [LUFFA OPERCULATA AS A HOMEOPATHIC DRUG IN THROAT, NOSE AND EAR DISEASES.]. Landarzt. 1-20-1964;40:78-79. View Abstract