Snake gourd, scientifically termed Trichosanthes cucumerina, goes by several vernacular names such as Chichinda or Padwal in Hindi, Potlakaaya in Telugu, Chichinga in Bengali, Pudalankaai in Tamil and Padavalanga in Malayalam.

The goodness of this green coloured vegetable has been well-regarded for its significant medicinal value since ancient times and is widely documented in Ayurvedic texts. Today, it continues to be heralded for its immense health benefits and is widely incorporated, in popular local cuisine across India, as well as in alleviating illnesses of the stomach, liver and skin, to name a few.

Snake gourd naturally grows in the wilderness in South-East Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka, China, Nepal and Indonesia, as well as in the warmer southern regions in Australia.