Nine forms of Maa Durga are worshiped during the nine days of Navratri. Mother Kushmanda is worshiped on the fourth day. In Ayurveda and traditional beliefs, Mother Kushmanda is also related to Kushmanda i.e. Petha. Petha is a fruit which has been used as food as well as in traditional medical practices. It is called ash gourd in English.
In Ayurveda, Kushmanda is considered to have cooling, nutritious and bile pacifying properties. In Ayurveda it is called 'Rasayan', that is, that which gives new energy to the body and keeps it young. It is cooling in nature, hence can be useful in calming body heat and irritation.
Elixir for the brain: Stress, anxiety and forgetfulness have become common these days. Petha is considered very beneficial for the brain. It improves memory and is also said to be beneficial in diseases like Alzheimer's. Petha juice is very beneficial for people who live under a lot of tension.
Keeps the stomach cool: If you often suffer from acidity, stomach burning or ulcer, then petha is a boon for you. It cleans the stomach from inside and strengthens the digestive system. Due to its cooling nature, it instantly calms acidity.
Relief in kidney and related problems: Petha is a natural detox. It removes dirt from the kidneys and also provides relief from problems like stones.
For heart and blood pressure: It helps in controlling blood pressure and cures blood related diseases. However, in case of any serious or long standing health problem, do not just sit idle, but get treatment from a qualified doctor.