Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), commonly called ‘Karela’ or Bitter melon, is a popular vegetable in Indian households. As the name indicates, it has a bitter taste. It is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of India and Africa. Despite its bitter taste, Karela has numerous health benefits that make it one of the most useful herbs for maintaining our overall health. This highly nutritious plant, therefore, has a special place in the Ayurvedic system. The health benefits of bitter gourd are used to treat a variety of conditions in Ayurveda.
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Bitter gourd in Ayurveda
Bitter gourd is loaded with nutrients such as Vitamin B1, B2, C, A, and minerals like Calcium, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Potassium, and Phosphorus. According to Ayurveda, the herb reduces vitiated Kapha and Pitta dosha. Karela has a bitter and pungent taste while containing a hot potency. The main chemical constitutions of bitter gourd include charantin, diosgenin, lanosterol, and beta-sitosterol. The plant also has anti-diabetic, anti-malarial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and hyperglycaemic properties. There are several bitter gourd benefits for skin, blood sugar, and even immunity. Here are a few impressive bitter gourd benefits that are highly effective.
Health benefits of Bitter gourd
1. Karela health benefits for high blood sugar
One of the effective health benefits of bitter gourd is its ability to reduce high blood sugar levels. The chemical compounds present in Bitter gourds, such as Polypeptide-p and charantin, act like insulin and naturally lower high blood sugar levels.
2. Bitter gourd benefits for skin and hair
Bitter gourd is a highly-nutritious herb that contains Vitamin A, C, Biotin, Zinc, and numerous other nutrients that are beneficial for skin and hair. It helps in the treatment of dandruff, hair fall, and greying of hair. It also reduces acne and wrinkles in the skin. Bitter gourd benefits for skin are therefore numerous.
3. Benefits of bitter gourd nutrition for liver
Bitter gourd offers powerful health benefits for the liver- it cleanses the liver and improves the functioning of the liver. It clears the alcoholic intoxication settled in the liver and protects against liver failure by strengthening the antioxidant activity of enzymes in the liver.
4. Karela health benefits for weight loss
The chemical compounds present in Bitter gourd help in dissolving the excess fat in the body. It prevents the formation and growth of new fat cells. It also helps in lowering the bad cholesterol levels in the body and helps maintain a healthy heart.
5. Bitter gourd nutrition for immunity
Bitter gourd is a powerhouse of antioxidants. These antioxidants fight against the harmful free-radicals and thus act as a powerful defense mechanism against illness. It also reduces the risk of prostate, breast, and cervical cancer. The Karela health benefits for immunity are thus multifaceted.
Bitter gourd nutrition is powerful indeed. It makes the plant one of the important medicinal herbs in Ayurveda. However, many people avoid this plant due to its bitter taste despite the impressive health benefits it offers. So, it is time we appreciate the impressive health benefits of Bitter gourd and utilize it properly for the betterment of our lives.
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