Bitter Melon - Karela (Bitter Gourd)

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Bitter Melon

The bitter melon or bitter gourd is the bitterest of all vegetables known to humankind, but it is also the most medicinally effective. In India, the bitter gourd is known as the karela. Its biological name is Momordica charantia.

Bitter melon possesses various chemicals such as charantin, peptides resembling insulin and several alkaloids. Due to these constituents, bitter melon is quite widely used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Bitter Melon Supplements 

Bitter melon is one of the few rare herbs which helps in regulating blood sugar levels in our body. It is a powerful hypoglycemic agent. Karela has laghu (light) and ruksh (dry) properties and is of ushan virya in potency. Bitter gourd possesses tickt and katu rasa. Karela chemically contains saponins know as charantin, momordicine and vicine, insulin like peptide and alkaloids.

It has also been noted that a hidden compound present in karela, not chemically known till date, is effective in inhibiting guanylate cyclase, which is very beneficial in normalizing glucose metabolism. Several modes of actions have been suggested for anti diabetic action of karela which includes inhibition of glucose absorption from our gut, helps in stimulating insulin secretions from beta cells of islet of langerhans and also the stimulation of hepatic glycogen synthesis.

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Ayurveda and Herbal Remedies

Benefits of Bitter Melon 

(i) Anorexia

Bitter melon is an appetite stimulant. Hence it is used in the treatment of anorexia, a disorder in which a person is unable to eat the required amount of food.

(ii) Blood Impurities

Bitter gourd is used as a blood purifier due to its bitter tonic properties. It can heal boils and other blood related problems that show up on the skin. For treatment, a cupful of the juice of the bitter melon must be taken each day in the morning, with a teaspoon of the juice of the citrus lemon in it.

(iii) Diabetes Mellitus

A lot has been written lately about the very beneficial aspects of bitter melon in the treatment of diabetes. As already discussed above, bitter melon has a host of bitter chemicals in which, which are hypoglycemic in action. It also has at least one substance that is like the insulin secreted by the human pancreatic glands. Hence, bitter melon is extremely effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

(iv) Diarrhea

For diarrhea, the juice of a bitter melon is mixed with the juice of the spring onions, both two teaspoons in quantity. This is then added with the juice of a lemon. This juice is given to the patient twice a day. This remedy is also effective in curing the diarrhea that is caused due to cholera.

(v) Hangovers

The juice of the bitter melon is excellent remedy for hangovers. It is also very beneficial in preventing the liver damage that occurs due to excessive alcoholism.

(vi) Piles

In case of piles, the fresh juice of bitter melons is prescribed to the patient with positive results. Three teaspoons of juice of the bitter melon leaves is to be extracted each morning, added to a glassful of buttermilk and then consumed on an empty stomach. Carrying on this routine for thirty days will treat piles completely. Even externally, the paste of the leaves of the piles can be applied over the hemorrhoids.

(vii) Pyorrhea

Pyorrhea is bleeding from the gums. Including bitter melon in the daily diet or having some of its juice every morning on an empty stomach helps to reduce this problem.

More on Bitter Melon 

Momordica Charantia, Bitter Gourd, Karela Herb
Fruit contains ascorbic acid 188mg per 100gm. Leaves and flowers contains alkaloids named momordicine. Plant contains a bitter glucoside, resin, aromatic oils, a substance very similar to that of saponin and mucilage. An oil is extracted from seeds that is of reddish brown color (26.5 %)
Bitter Melon (Karela) Supplements - Diabetes
Rich in iron, bitter melon has twice the beta carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, twice the potassium of bananas, and contains vitamins C and B 1 to 3, phosphorus and good dietary fiber.

Diabetes Cure 

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by Triphala

Hello friends, I am Dr John Anne, an Ayurvedic Specialist. I have done extensive research on Ayurveda and Herbal Medicines. My aim is to promote the k... (more)

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