English cucumbers – Have very little in the way of seeds and can grow to around 2 feet in length.
Mediterranean cucumbers – Skins are smooth with nearly seedless flesh, they have a mild taste.
Japanese cucumbers – A dark green cucumber with a very bumpy skin. Mainly used for slicing, salads and pickling.

Health and Skin Benefits of Cucumber

- Cucumbers have high water content (about 95 percent).
- They have fiber-rich skin and their levels of potassium and manganese, which help regulate blood pressure and help promote nutrient functions.
- Cucumbers help remove uric acid, which is beneficial for those who has arthritis.
- Cucumber helps in reducing swelling around the eyes or the big dark circles under your eyes.
- Cucumber is very beneficial for burns, swollen eyes, and dermatitis. because it consists of Caffeic and ascorbic acids, which prevent water retention.
- Its juice is a nourishing vitamin for our hair and skin.
- Cucumber is good for those who are dieting as it is very low in calories.
- Cucumber’s nutritional benefits include natural salts, enzymes, and vitamins essential for strong cell growth and repair.
- Cucumber juice is certainly beneficial the treatment of rheumatic conditions.
- This colorless drink can help regulate blood pressure because of its minerals and traces of sodium.
- The excellent source of silica contributes to the proper construction of connective tissues in our body as in the bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments and tendons.
- The temperature regulating properties in cucumber juice makes it a suitable drink when you have a fever.
- Those suffering from diabetes have been found to benefit from the consumption of cucumber/cucumber juice.
- Cucumber contains Erepsin, the enzyme that helps in protein digestion.
- Cucumber juice is said to promote hair growth, especially when it is added to the juice of carrot, lettuce and spinach.
- Daily consumption of cucumber juice helps control cases of eczema, arthritis and gout.
- Helps in kidney and urinary bladder disease.

Benefits of Lauki/Bottel Guard

- Good for people who are on low calorie diet because it contains 96.1 % water.
- Consumption of bottle gourd helps in overcoming jaundice.
- A glassful of plain juice with a pinch of salt should be taken everyday. Its use during summer prevents excessive loss of sodium, quenches thirst and helps in preventing fatigue.
- Cooked lauki is cooling, calming and acts as diuretic.
- It plays a very important role in treating urinary disorders. Prepare a glass of fresh juice by grating lauki and then mixing it with limejuice.
- It has a high fibre content and thus useful in regulation of bowel movements.
- Due to its high fibre content it can be used to prevent gastrointestinal disorders, constipation, piles, ulcers. It acts as a diuretic and calms you down after consumption.
- Flatulence is another common concern which is seen in people today due to irregular food habits. In all these cases if Bottle Gourd is taken along with required quantity of water per day, positive results can be seen.
- This vegetable is very good for balancing liver function.
- Ayurveda suggests Bottle gourd juice once daily in the early morning for treating Graying Hair.
- Bottle gourd has gained importance for weight loss as it is very high in fiber and water and hence helps to curb hunger pangs.

How to make Loki Juice

- Grate lauki with home grater (called Kaddu kas). Put the grated loki on tea strainer. Squeeze it with big spoon or table spoon by putting pressure. Collect the liquid in glass. You can also add grounded black pepper or black salt to suit your taste. You can honey/lemon to improve its taste. Dont add sugar.