Benefits of Bitter Gourd - Karela - Bitter Melon

The Bitter Gourd- it is actually a bitter boon in disguise, a tonic, a great metabolic regulator and a good source of potassium.

Bitter Gourd effectively checks blood sugar levels, has antioxidant properties and is a potent detoxifying agent. It is a secure glycemic control from nature and is often strongly recommended as a supportive therapy for diabetic patients and in pre-diabetics with impaired GTT (Glucose tolerance test ).Practically all parts of the plant are capable of providing medicinal benefits to our body system, the fruit scrapings having the maximum hypoglycemic effect.

About Bitter Gourd

Fruit is bitter, cool, light to digest and pacifies pitta. It purifies blood, is carminative, antihelminthic , diuretic, clears constipation , ignites digestive fire and useful in combating anemia and fevers. Fruit cooked as vegetable, with minimal spices, checks chronic skin disorders , gout, rheumatoid arthritis, dyspepsia, flatulence ,asthma and in general a wide variety of maladies of the stomach.

Juice of Bitter Gourd

Stomatitis can be checked by gargling with the warm juice of Bitter Gourd. A pinch of alum may be added to it for additional benefit.

Juice is also helpful for patients of hemiplegia.

Prickly heat during the summers can be soothened by applying bitter gourd juice, with a pinch of baking powder added to it.

Periodic intake of juice mixed with water is beneficial in ascites.

Passage of blood in cases of piles is relived by taking juice of Bitter Gourd with sugar.

To shed those extra pounds try bitter gourd juice with lemon -the first thing in the morning !

It also has the capacity to disintegrate kidney stones and even flush them out through the urinary tract.

Leaves of Bitter Gourd

Leaves are bitter, diuretic, induce vomiting and purgation. Juice of leaves is useful in malaria, enlargement of liver, spleen and state of ascites. Leaves crushed into a paste, applied over chronic skin lesions fasten healing. Massaging juice of leaves on soles in beneficial in controlling burning sensation of feet, especially in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Seeds of Bitter Gourd

Seeds have 32% purgative oil, if crushed into powder and taken orally, is good for diabetic patients.

THE UNTOWARD EFFECTS, IF ANY, CAN BE NULLIFIED BY INTAKE OF RICE WITH GHEE (CLARIFIED BUTTER).

By- Pavan Arora
Also read

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR PCOS USING BITTER GOURD OR BITTER MELON

Lowering Your Blood Sugar Levels With Bitter Melon

Plants are natural pharmacies and are rich in a diversity of nutrients. Many of all modern day pharmaceutical drugs have either been developed from plant compounds or are synthetic replicas of the plant molecule system. These nutrients mainly function as antioxidants but they also help to regulate the gene function in the plants and also in animals that actually eat them. These nutrients have played a major role in human nutrition also, for example herbs have often provided a much needed boost during illness.

Many herbs contain elements that regulate glucose and indirectly, insulin levels. Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), also known as bitter gourd, balsam pear and karela, has been used by traditional healers for a variety of medicinal purposes, including the treatment of diabetes.

Bitter melon contains medicinal constituents that are similar to animal insulin. However the plant is used... as a juice, in fruit form or dried powder... all have been useful in decreasing blood sugar levels. It can be found at farmers' markets that feature Asian plants or is available at many Asian grocery stores.

How to take bitter melon:

    firstly select one that is green or yellow, orange ones are old
    slice the unpeeled fruit lengthwise and remove the seeds. Cut into thin slices and steam or boil until the fruit is tender and is easy to cut with the edge of a spoon. Then place the fruit with an equal amount of water in a blender and puree for two or three minutes. Drink one quarter to half a cup a day
    or the gourds can be sliced and added in small amounts to wok dishes. Or cut into thin strips, mixed with onions and tomatoes and eggs and made into an omelet
    a bitter melon extract can be found in Asian grocery stores... take one quarter to half a teaspoon up to three times daily
    bitter melon has been concentrated and made into capsules... it is advised to take two capsules per day usually with a meal or one hour after eating when your blood sugar levels are highest.
    bitter melon is also an ingredient found in most diabetic herbal supplements; combined with other herbs, vitamins or even minerals

The bitter melon extract can be taken alone or mixed with other herbs, mineral or vitamin supplements. Bitter melon itself is also naturally loaded with vitamins and minerals; a mix does not have harmful interactions.

Don't forget though to inform your health care practitioner about the bitter melon supplements or concoctions you are taking.

Because you may have significant lowering of your blood sugar levels, close monitoring is important. Also many other medicinal herbs contain substances that are drug-like in their function... please take care if you are taking insulin or hypoglycemic medications.

By-Beverleigh Piepers

Also Read :  Who can use Karela or Bitter Melon Capsules and Tablets?

Beverleigh Piepers

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