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Karela (Bitter Gaurd)-Goodness Hidden In Bitterness
The Karela or Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon is a tropical and subtropical vine bearing the bitterest fruit of the edible fruits. This has been grown in South Asia, India, South East Asia, China, the Caribbean and Africa since historic times. This is widely cultivated in the Philippines as Ampalaya. The Indians and Chinese have used the karela for centuries as a vegetable and also as a medicine. Its medicinal uses find place especially in the authentic Ayurvedic system of traditional Indian medicine.
The karela or bitter gourd plant
The karela is a climbing plant. The fruit is green and shaped quite like the cucumber. There are gourd-like bumps all over the fruit that makes it appear ugly. The karela seeds, leaves and even the vine are used for consumption. However, it is the fruit which is most widely and acceptably used. The leaves and fruits have also found occasional usage in soup seasoning in the Western countries.
Karela fruit being used as a vegetable
The karela is a nutritious and fibrous fruit (used as a vegetable). Though the bitterness of the fruit may render any dish made using it unpalatable yet it is actually very safe and healthy. The usual practice in karela growing regions is to slice the fruit or chop it into pieces and then cook it. This serves as an ingredient of many dishes. Asian cuisine makes good use of this vegetable as an ingredient of many dishes. The karela also serves as an interesting appetizer and can be used as a garnished salad too. Both the fruit and the leaves can be chopped into bits and boiled in water to yield special herbal tea- karela tea. This can be sipped just like any other hot beverage.
Valuable medicinal properties of karela
The karela fruit has been known to have a curative effect on anemia, hypertension constipation and viral infection. It also acts as a purgative, aphrodisiac, appetite stimulant and as immune system booster. The fruit is especially good for promoting good liver functioning. It also contains anti tumor agents and helps inhibit HIV-1 infection. The fruit has also been known to produce a beneficial effect in case of scabies, infections, halitosis, cough and common cold.
Researches conducted over a period of time confirm the anti diabetic property of the karela. This has been proven to be even more effective than the conventional drugs prescribed for lowering blood sugar. This accounts for its increased usage as a food supplement in the form of tea and capsules for lowering elevated blood sugar levels.
Nutritional value of karela
Apart from having a host of medicinal properties the karela fruit is also rich in nutrients. Nutritionists opine that it is rich in iron. The beta carotene (pro vitamin A) content of the bitter gourd is twice that of broccoli while the calcium content is twice that of spinach. Further, it has twice the potassium content of bananas and has aplenty phosphorus, Vitamins C, B1, B2 and B3 and good dietary fiber.