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Momordica charantia - Karavellaka, Karabellam

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Momordica charantia, Bitter gourd

Momordica charantia is a very vigorous, annual climbing plant. It produces stems up to 5 metres long. This plant is climb up into the surrounding vegetation, supporting itself by means of tendrils.

Uses

Colitis, Dysentery, Diabetes, Malignant ulcers, Stomach worms, Fever, Phlegm, Hypertension.[1]

Parts Used

Fruits.

Chemical Composition

Amino acids, Glutamic acid, Lactamic acid, Beta-lactamic acid, Phenylalanine, Proline, Alpha-Aminobutyric acid, Citrulline, Galacturonic acid.[2]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Haagalakaayi
Hindi Kathilla
Malayalam
Tamil Iraca-valli
Telugu Kakara
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Kaarvellakah
English Bitter gourd


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Tikta (Bitter),

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Habit

Climber

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple Alternate Lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets

[3]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual 2-4cm long Yellow, white 2-3 Flowers Season is June - August

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
General 100–200 mm Clearly grooved lengthwise, Lowest hooked hairs aligned towards crown The fruit is fleshy Many {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

[4]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Seed - sow in situ. Seedlings emerge 5 - 7 days after sowing, but fresh seed often shows dormancy which is very hard to break and can last for some months.[5]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Coastal thickets, Along streams, Along creeks, Lowland forest margins.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. Karnataka Aushadhiya Sasyagalu By Dr.Maagadi R Gurudeva, Page no:341
  2. Phytochemicals
  3. Charecteristics
  4. Ayurvedic preparations
  5. Cultivation Details

External Links