CURRENTLY ON AIR ⇒
  • Maktab On Air
    Monday, 3:05 pm - 4:00 pm
    [ - ]

feedback@radioislam.org.za

logo


((( Listen Live )))))
Radio Islam Logo


Health benefits of Karela – Bitter Gourd

The health benefits of karela (bitter-gourd) are greater than those of many vegetables. Karela's bitter taste is generally attributed to the quinine it contains. Cooked bitter gourd stimulates the appetite, cleanses the liver, purifies the blood, and provides many other benefits.

Grown in the Indian subcontinent and parts of Asia, Africa, and South America, karela (aka bitter-melon, kaakarakaya) is unsavory yet very nutritious and healthy. Karela comes in many different varieties and is similar in shape to a cucumber. In the Indian grocery stores in the US, you'll find the the Indian, dark green, spiky variety, while in the Asian stores, you'll find the lighter-green bitter-melons that are larger with a bumpy peel.

A really delicious type of karela is kantola or kakrol (aa-kaakarakaya). These are small, round or oval with tiny, prickly spikes, and are not bitter at all or only slightly bitter. These taste great sliced into thin chips and either stir-fried or deep-fried.

Quick Facts
In Indian medicine, such as ayurveda, bitter-gourd juice (from the gourd or leaves) has long been used as a remedy for diabetes and liver problems. Karela juice is also used to treat skin problems like psoriasis, and is generally good for skin health as it purifies blood.

Ayurvedic doctors also prescribe bitter-gourd juice for digestive problems and to boost immunity. A glass of karela juice with a dash of lemon, taken on an empty tummy, is supposed to improve general health as well as skin health.

Karela contains a chemical called charantin which reduces high blood glucose levels, and hence the best home remedy for diabetes (as a curry or juice).

Pregnant women are advised to avoid this vegetable as it can cause miscarriages.

Along with fiber, karela contains several vitamins, minerals, and trace elements like vitamin C, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Like most vegetables, karela is low in calories, and as such great for weight-loss. Studies show that bitter-melon extract can help prevent breast cancer.

It makes sense to include karela in your diet as it offers so many health benefits.

Cooking Tips
Use tender, green karela for best taste. Though the bitterness varies depending on the variety, usually, tender karela are less bitter. If using tender karela, you can use them with the pith and seeds; otherwise, remove the pith and seeds.

To reduce the bitterness, cut the karela and rub salt and/or lime juice on the pieces and let sit for 1-2 hours; squeeze out the water before cooking.

To reduce bitterness, add tamarind, jaggery, grated coconut, lime/lemon juice to the curries or combine with beans and legumes like chickpeas.

To make them more palatable, stir-fry, deep-fry, or stuff with potatoes and other spices, or add them to lentil and vegetable soups and stews.
Wrap the karela in plastic and store in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for upto a week

SOME MORE REMEDIES USING KARELA..

A little bit of Karela juice taken early in the morning gives relief to Diabetics patients.
   
To remove sugar from the Urine and cure diabetics small pieces of an unripe Karela are dried indoors and then a powder of these pieces is prepared.

Then about 10 grams of this powder has to be taken everyday in the morning and evening till the ailment is cured.

 If about 50 grams juice of the leaves of the Karela plant mixed with a pinch of Asafoetida is taken, it is said to relive problems relating to the Urinary tract and it also enables the smooth flow of Urine.

Chronic skin diseases can be cured if the juice of the leaves of the Karela plant is applied to the affected area.

Skin ailments resulting due to excessive heat in the body can be cured if Karela juice is applied on the affected area.

If the juice of Karela leaves is taken with hot water it is said to give relief from Intestinal parasites and eradicate them.

To stop vomiting in children a mixture of 3 Karela seeds and 3 seeds of Black Pepper ground coarsely is given to them to eat.

Drinking a little bit of the juice of the root of the Karela plant is said to give relief from allergic reaction on the body.

ADVERTISE HERE

Prime Spot!!!

Contact:
advertisingadmin@radioislam.co.za 

Related Articles

Homeopathy And Sleep

Homeopathy And Sleep

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 13 November 2024 4 minute read Homeopathy is a holistic form of treatment that explores the aim of patients with regards to specific ailments, giving them all the solutions from a natural perspective to treat those conditions....

read more
Saving Lives At Home

Saving Lives At Home

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 02 October 2024 4-minute read A hadith states something to the effect: “When a person saves a life, it is as if he has saved the whole of mankind.” There are few things in life which we can control, because ultimately...

read more
Cupping For Fertility

Cupping For Fertility

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 18 September 2024 5-minute read With more and more people moving away from conventional medicine, many women with fertility issues are seeking alternative therapies to treat and cure their illnesses. A new modern approach to...

read more
Why Medical Health Records Matter

Why Medical Health Records Matter

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 04 September 2024 4-minute read Ajuda, a Portuguese word meaning ‘help’ has been developed as a groundbreaking technological solution designed to keep track of all a patient’s health records in one place. The concept came into...

read more
Immune Booster for Flu

Immune Booster for Flu

Courtesy@Amina Kathree Jamal Ginger chopped a few pieces 1 lemon chopped Half an onion chopped Turmeric /Arad a little Cloves, Cinnamon, Cardamon/Elachi Boil above ingredients Strain then pour in ice cube trays and freeze, once frozen pack blocks into zip lock bags...

read more
Tea for Colds and Flu

Tea for Colds and Flu

Courtesy Sister Ammarah @ammarah_moola THIS RECIPE WAS SHARED BY A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE WHO WAS A NURSE...DURING COVID.... 1 Litre water 1 Amuco/Acc.. 8 cloves 8 peppers 1 Sachet Ginger tea or u can use fresh Ginger...that has been cut up...5 small pieces 1 tsp of...

read more

Subscribe to our Newsletter

0 Comments