Bitter gourd, a native of the tropics is a bitter tasting vegetable. It is long, covered in blunt tubercles and tapering ends. The seeds of raw fruits are white and become red after ripening. The Caribbean, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Sri Lanka are the common countries that cultivate bitter gourd.
There are two main types of bitter gourd depending on their size.
- Large kind: Oblong, long with pale green color
- Small kind: Small, oval and dark green color.
Both these types of bitter gourd are bitter in taste, which turns reddish-orange after ripening.
Below are the amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutritious components in bitter gourd.
Vitamins and minerals
- Vitamins C- 88mg
- Small amounts of Vitamin B complex
- Calcium-20mg
- Iron-1.8mg
- Phosphorous-70mg
Food value of bitter gourd
- Moisture-92.4%
- Carbohydrates-4.2%
- Protein-1.6%
- Fibre-0.8%
- Minerals-0.8%
- Fat-0.2%
The calorific value of bitter gourd is 25.
Other Names Of Bitter Gourd
Karela, Momordica charantia, Carillafruit, Karavelaka, Karela, Karale, Pavakkay, Kakara, Kaypa and Hagalakayi.
The whole plant of bitter gourd is useful.
The roots of bitter gourd are Astringent.
The leaves of bitter gourd are Anthelmintic, Emetic and Purgative.
The fruits of bitter gourd are Purgative, Antidiabetic, Emmenagogue, and Anti-inflammatory.
The Ayurvedic Uses of Bitter Gourd and How to use it.
Gout
Bitter gourd will give a soothing effect in gout. A decoction prepared with the leaves then add oil to it and boil for three minutes then apply it on Gout affected area.
Cholera
Bitter gourd is useful to stop the vomiting and diarrhoea which are associated with cholera. Take bitter gourd juice with some sesame oil twice a day give you relieve from cholera.
In worm infestation
Take the leaves of the bitter gourd and make a paste of it and make it as balls and take 1-2 balls for a good deworming.
In burning sensation of hands and feet
To get relief from the burning sensation, the juice of the bitter gourd should be applied on the affected area.
In delayed periods
Bitter gourd is useful in regularising the periods.Make a decoction with roots of the bitter gourd and take it twice a day to get good results.
In fevers and swellings
We can use entire plant to get relieve from fevers and swell by preparing them as curry, soup, or vegetable, to reduce swelling and bring temperature.
Measles
Juice of bitter gourd leaves is an excellent cleanser. Make a juice of bitter gourd juice and add turmeric to it and drink it during the attack of measles.
Diabetes
Bitter gourd is an excellent remedy to control blood sugar levels in diabetes. Juice prepared from the leaves or a glass of decoction on the empty stomach on every morning is useful to control blood sugar levels.
These are the major uses of Bitter gourd in Ayurveda.
Health benefits of bitter gourd
Bitter gourd is a native medicine in the regions of Africa and Asia. It is rich in appetizing, antipyretic, antidotal, anti-bilious, laxative and stomachic properties.
Alcoholism
Leaf juice of bitter gourd is highly capable in treating alcoholism. It works as an antidote for intoxication of alcohol. It also repairs and enhances the functioning of liver damage from alcoholism.
Blood disorders
Bitter gourd plays a major role in treating blood disorders like ringworm, psoriasis, scabies, itching, blood boils and other fungal diseases. Mixing a teaspoon of lime juice with a cupful of bitter gourd juice is the best way to treat these conditions. Regular use of this in endemic regions of leprosy is the best preventive medicine.
Cholera
Juice of bitter gourd leaves is an efficient measure in treating and preventing cholera and various types of diarrhea. Taking two teaspoons of this juice with equal amounts of white onion juice, and adding a teaspoon of lime is an effective way of treating cholera.
Diabetes
Bitter gourd is an effective and natural healer of diabetes. According to a recent research by British doctors, bitter gourd plant-insulin an efficient component, this helps in lowering urine sugar and blood levels. Hence, adding bitter gourd to diet easily treats diabetes. Drinking juice of four or five bitter gourds on an empty stomach is highly effective. Eating seeds in powdered form by adding it to food or decoction of bitter gourd is also effective.
Malnutrition is a major illness that diabetic patients suffer from. Bitter gourd is rich in Vitamin A, B1, B2, C, Iron, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Thereupon, it prevents and treats eye complications, hypertension, neuritis, and defective metabolism of carbohydrates. It also builds up body immunity and resistance against various infections.
Piles
Juice from fresh leaves of bitter gourd functions a great deal in treating piles. Take three teaspoons of leafy juice; add it to a glassful of buttermilk. Drink this juice for one month for treating and preventing piles.
Making a paste from the roots of bitter gourd plants and applying it over piles is also effective.
Respiratory Disorders
Bitter gourd is an ancient remedy for treating respiratory disorders. Take a teaspoon of root paste and add it to equal amounts of tulsi leaf juice or honey. Drinking it every night for over a period of one month treats asthma, bronchitis, colds, pharyngitis and rhinitis.
Uses
Bitter gourd is the common food in the Far East and India. Steeping the fruit in salt water after peeling reduces the bitterness. In India, tender shoots and leaves are used in the form of spinach, seeds and ripe fruits are used as a condiment. Bitter gourd is also a common ingredient in curries and in pickles.
