Known across the world as Calabaza (Spanish), Courge (French), Dýně (Czech), Karela (Hindi), Paakharkaai, Pavakkai (Tamil), Pavayka, Kaippakka (Malayalam), Kakara kayi (Telugu), Karelu (Gujarati), Korolla (Bengali), Karle, Karali, Kareti (Marathi), Kalara, Changkha (Oriya), Karela (Urdu & Punjabi), this humble vegetable that is said to have ugly bumps is enriched with nutritional benefits that will only add sparkle to your health!

With a legendary history dated back more than 600 years – this weird looking vegetable was revered within the Chinese community for its medicinal properties and sought for it’s healing properties by those suffering from diabetes. This vegetable was a key ingredient in many folk remedies that were used to cure tumors, asthma, skin infections, GI problems and hypertension.

This healthy vegetable is cultivated in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Philippines, Malaysia, South America, Africa and the Caribbean.

Here are some of it’s Health Benefits:

• Due to its hypoglycemic action, bitter gourd makes an excellent remedy for diabetes. The insulin-like peptides, alkaloids, and charantin combine to lower blood and urine sugar levels without increasing blood insulin levels.
• The blood purifying properties of bitter gourd deem it to be an ideal treatment for blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to blood poisoning caused by bacterial toxic substances in the blood.
• Fresh juice extracted from bitter gourd is beneficial for people suffering from piles. All you need to do is prepare a mixture of bitter gourd juice and buttermilk and have it every morning for about a month.
• Cellulose is a good source of fibre which helps in preventing constipation. Bitter gourd contains cellulose that acts as a great digestive agent and helps in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. This, in turn, helps people suffering from dyspepsia.
• Bitter gourd encourages the liver to secrete more bile juices which are necessary for the metabolism of fats. Hence, if you are yearning for a perfect, slim figure, include loads of bitter gourd in your diet.
• Researchers indicate that a glass of bitter gourd juice strengthens the immune system and increases the body’s power to fight against infections. Besides, it also improves the immunity of cell functioning in people suffering from cancer.
• Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice is known to stimulate the energy and stamina levels in the body, especially in people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Bitter gourd is a known remedy for curing various skin diseases and skin infections, such as eczema. Not only it avoids the skin from developing blemishes, it also improves the glow and texture of the skin, ensuring that you do not develop any acne. It has also been acknowledged for successfully healing skin eruptions, chapped skin, burns, and haemorrhoids.
• Consuming bitter gourd juice on a regular basis aid in improving the condition of psoriasis and other infections of fungus, such as athlete’s foot and ringworm.
• Bitter gourd acts as an antidote for alcohol intoxication and promotes purification, restoration, and nourishment of the liver. The juice, in particular, is beneficial for treating a bad hangover.
• With high levels of beta-carotene and other beneficial compounds, bitter gourd juice is regarded as the best drink for alleviating eye disorders and strengthening eyesight. Further, it is recommended by herbalists for normalizing restless sleeping patterns.
• Diluting bitter gourd juice with honey and water helps in fighting and improving pharyngitis, bronchitis, and asthma.
• By cleansing the blood and body from harmful toxins, bitter gourd helps in getting rid of jaundice, due to its highly beneficial properties.
• By stimulating the secretion of gastric juices properly, bitter gourd helps in enhancing the digestion process. To add on, it is used for treating intestinal worms, constipation, and diarrhoea.
• Bitter gourd is considered beneficial for the overall health of women. Not only it helps in treating menstrual disorders and female genital tract related problems, it assists in secreting milk during the lactation phase after pregnancy.

Get this vegetable in-store!