Momordica charantia OR Karela belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae is a herbaceous, tendril-bearing
vine that grows up to 5 m., available in the Indian market throughout the year because of its advanced cultivation technologies, however, the bitter gourds of winter and monsoon seasons have good taste as well as medicinally very useful for the health. The fruit has a distinct warty exterior and
an oblong shape. It is hollow in cross-section, with a relatively thin layer of
flesh surrounding a central seed cavity filled with large, flat seeds and pith.
The fruit is most often eaten green, or as it is beginning to turn yellow. At
this stage, the fruit's flesh is crunchy and watery in texture, similar to cucumber, chayote, or
green bell pepper, but bitter.
The skin is tender and edible.
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| [Raw and mature fruits of Momordica charantia] |
Seeds and pith appear white in unripe fruits;
they are not intensely bitter and can be removed before cooking. Bitter gourd is used as a green-skinned vegetable with white to translucent flesh and a taste that fits its name. There
are many health benefits to eat bitter gourds but I would like to emphasize some important
medicinal uses of the bitter gourds and is as under-
1. It is good to take bitter gourd juice in case of gas formation and indigestion in the stomach, due to which this disease goes away for a long time.
2. Drinking bitter gourd juice strengthens the liver and all liver problems end. Consuming it daily gives results in a week. It is also beneficial in jaundice.
3. Phosphorus is found in sufficient quantity in bitter gourd. It removes phlegm, constipation, and digestive problems. Due to its consumption, the digestion of food is done properly, and hunger is also openly felt.
4. Bitter gourd is very beneficial when there is a complaint of asthma. In asthma, eating bitter gourd vegetables without spices gives benefits.
5. Boiling the leaves or fruits of bitter gourd in water and consuming it, increases immunity, and any kind of infection is cured.
6. In case of vomiting, diarrhea, or cholera, drinking bitter gourd juice mixed with black salt provides immediate relief. Even if there is a problem with ascites, drinking two spoons of bitter gourd juice mixed with water is beneficial.
Stay healthy, stay safe...
