Shamim Ahmed

Medicinal Plants form the basis of traditional medicinal system. The medicinal plants usage is higher in developing countries with respect to the developed nations. In past the usage of medicinal plants use of medicinal plants and traditional medicines derived from medicinal plants has increased at great pace. The reported sales of medicinal plants or herbal medicines have crossed $ 60, 000 million dollars in year after 2000. Luffa accutangula is herbal plant, whose fruit is commonly used as vegetable as well as traditional medicines derived from medicinal plants were reported to be around 40 to 50 percent of population using it in Germany, around 43 percent usage in America, and around 48 percent in Australia and 49 percent in France. However in recent few decades (i.e. three decades) in Asian countries the sales have risen sharply. The plant is highly rich in medicinal values, and many pharmacological activities have been reported in the plant. Looking at the richness of Gourd (Luffa accutangula) the present review has been written in order to provide an up-to-date report on this imperative species of medicinal plant. Keywords: Medicinal plants, Herbal remedies, Pharmacology of medicinal plants, Luffa accutangula