Sponge Lufa Manusa from Mirax. Loofah or vegetable sponge is obtained from the fibrous interior of the fruits of tropical and subtropical vine species from the cucumber family (Cucurbitaceae), originating from Asia:

• Luffa aegyptiaca / L. cylindrica , from which the common vegetable sponge is obtained, with fruits that have a smooth outer crust;
• Luffa acutangula (ridge gourd / l. With edges ), whose fruits have prominent longitudinal ridges;
• Luffa operculata / l. wild / "sponge" cucumber is also cultivated as an ornamental garden or even apartment plant in cold areas; its dark brown fruits at maturity are very fibrous and are used to obtain natural sponges used for housekeeping.

Lufa / Luffa usually refers to the fruit of these species, cultivated and consumed as a vegetable especially in China and Vietnam, their juice being used as a natural remedy for jaundice . For consumption, the fruits must be harvested very early, at full maturity they become fibrous. Obtaining: loofahs are obtained by removing from the ripe fruit all the components outside the fibrous network , this being also used to make hats, for washing and cleaning machines and in certain types of filters. Indications: they are recommended for removing dry, dead skin cells, but it is not certain that they can really dislodge cellulite, as some labels claim.