Bottle Gourd, also known as Lauki, Calabash, Doodhi, or Sorakaya, is a widely consumed vegetable belonging to the gourd family (Cucurbitaceae). It has a light green, smooth skin with a white, spongy, and watery flesh inside. The shape may vary from round, oval, to elongated bottle-like forms, hence the name “Bottle Gourd.”

It is a low-calorie, water-rich vegetable (about 92% water content) that is highly refreshing and easily digestible. Because of its mild flavor, it adapts well to curries, stews, soups, juices, and even sweets like lauki halwa.

In traditional medicine, bottle gourd is valued for its cooling, hydrating, and detoxifying properties, making it an important vegetable for health-conscious diets. It is especially recommended in Ayurveda for balancing body heat, improving digestion, and promoting overall wellness.