Botanical Name : Momordica Charantia
English/Common Name : Bitter Gourdin, Bitter melon
Ayurvedic Name : Karela
Parts used : Fruits, Seeds
Principal Constituents : Lectins, Charantin and Momordcine
Habitat and Botany : This climbing plant is cultivated everywhere in India for its fruit.
a. Used as a Tonic, stimulant, laxative and Anthleminitic.
b. Recommended in treating Gout, Rheumatism, diseases of liver, spleen and pancreas.
c. Reduces blood sugar level.
d. Activates the inactive insulin present in the blood and hence its a cure for the disease (Time factor depends upon Chronicity of the illness).
e. Balances the glucose level (Hypoglycemia is not observed so far).
f. Reduces cholesterol level.
g. Reduces high triglyceride level.
h. Pain and inflammation of the joints is either eliminated or reduced.
i. Provides a feeling of normalcy to the diabetic patient.
j. Increases immunity.
Karela in Gluco Health
Side Effects : High doses may produce termination of pregnancy, stomach ache.
According to Ayurveda, herbs are taken in combination with other herbs to neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing effect of the other or to enhance the particular effect of one herb with the help of other.
1. Dhalla, N.S. Gupta, K.C. Sastry, M.S. and Malhotra, C.L. 1961. Chemical composition of the fruit of Momordica charantia Linn. Indian J Pharm 23, 128.
2. Lotlikar, M.M. and Rajarama Rao, M.R. 1966. Pharmacology of a hypoglycaemic principle isolated from the fruits of Momordica charantia Linn. Indian J Pharm 28, 129.
3. Vasistha, S.K., vasistha, S.C. and Rao, V.R.K. 1961-1962. Chemical examination of Momordica charantia. Part III. Preparation of D-galacturonic acid and some new salts of it. JSci Res Banaras Hindu Univ 12(2), 228.
4. Vasistha, S.K., Antony, T.C. and Vasistha S.C. 1960-61. Chemical examination of Momordica charantia. Part I. A study in the pectinous substances. J Sci Res Banaras Hindu Univ 12(2), 228.
5. Vimala Devi, M. Venkateswarlu, M. and Krishna Rao, R.V. 1977. Hypoglycaemic activity of the leaves of Momordica Charantia. Abstr of the paper presented at XXIX Indian Pharmaceut Cong., Waltair, 28-31 Dec., 1977. Indian J Pharm 39, 167.
Caution : According to Ayurveda, Herbs are taken in combination with other herbs to neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing effect of the other or to enhance the particular effect of one herb with the help of other.
"These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."
