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Botanical Classification |
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Botanical classification |
kingdom |
Plantae |
Division |
Magnoliophyta |
Class |
Magnoliopsida |
Order |
violes |
Family |
cucurbitaceae |
Genus |
Momordica |
Species |
charantia |
Momordica charantia |
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Family |
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Botanical – cucarbitace
Ayurvedic – keshataki kul
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Synonyms |
- English name- bitter gourd
- Hindi name – karela
- Sanskrit name – karvellak
- Gujarati name – kareli
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Habitat |
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It is found through out India.
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Morphology |
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It is an annual creeper. Leaves are 1to 3 inch in width and are parted in 5 to 7 parts. Flowers are yellow in color and monoceous. Fruit is 2 to 10 inch long having green color and is barrel shape having thick middle part and sharp at the edges. Seeds are ½ inch long, brown and flattened.
According to ayurveda there are two varieties of karela based on the size of the fruit.
- Badi (large)
- Choti (small)
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Chemical Constituents |
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Fruit contains ascorbic acid 188mg per 100gm. Leaves and flowers contains alkaloids named momordicine. Plant contains a bitter glucoside, resin, aromatic oils, a substance very similar to that of saponin and mucilage. An oil is extracted from seeds that is of reddish brown color (26.5 %)
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Pharmacology |
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It is kapha and pitta suppressant. Due to its properties it is very helpful in cooling the body so as to suppress the skin related problems caused by the excess of pitta. It also promotes wound healing and also helps in suppressing the burning sensation happening in the body. Due to its rasa it is very useful in normalizing the digestive tract and also helps in improving peristaltic movements in the body. Due to its bitter taste it is useful in suppressing the worm infestation. It also helps in curbing infection in the body. It also helps in regularizing the urinary tract. It has remarkable properties in maintaining the blood sugar levels in the body.
According to ayurveda it contains
- Gunna (properties) – laghu (light), ruksh (dry)
- Rasa (taste) – katu (pungent) and tickta (bitter)
- Virya (potency) – ushan (hot)
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Toxicology |
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It has no toxic effect when consumed in normal dosage.
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Plant part used |
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Whole plant and fruit coat.
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Indication |
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- Skin diseases
- Wounds
- Piles
- Burning sensations
- Tastelessness
- Loss of appetite
- Menstrual disturbances
- Blood disorders
- Cough
- Asthma
- Inflammation
- Diabetes
- Fever
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Uses |
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- Paste – it is used in application on skin disorders; it is also applied on piles and injuries and wounds.
- Powder – it is widely used in diabetes. it is also helpful in urine related disorders and also is helpful in digestive troubles. It helps in suppressing the inflammation and respiratory dysfunction. It is also helpful in maintaining the body temperature.
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