- *Know and grow ur local plants/trees* *Momordica dioica*…*Kantola*, kartola, *Spine Gourd,* etc. This native creeper grows from tuber and seeds during summer and monsoon. The male and female creeper can only be identified when it starts flowering so need to ensure that there r both of these creepers to help pollination. There r two types that r available in the market…the wild variety (tiny in size) that grows in jungles naturally and the hybrid varieties (bigger in size) that r grown in controlled conditions. Kantola, a spiny tiny gourd is a monsoon vegetable that is available for a limited time, is very tasty when cooked and also very potent in healing various monsoon and chronic ailments. It helps reduce blood sugar level, reduces chances of cancer, removes kidney stones, improves eyesight and digestion, heals piles, etc. It is recommended by naturalists to consume in raw juice form to get maximum benefit of its medicinal properties as its medicinal benefits far outweigh its culinary benefit.