Karela (Bitter Gourd) botanically called as Momordica charantia is well known for its blood glucose lowering property. It is known to be highly beneficial for diabetics owing to the presence of two phytochemicals called charatin and momordicin playing key role in lowering one’s blood sugar levels. It is also packed with antioxidant phytochemicals that helps the body fight off the associated complications commonly seen in diabetics by scavenging free radicals. More importantly, the seeds of the plant contain insulin called polypeptide-P that mimics the insulin produced by the human pancreas, thus reducing blood sugar levels. It purifies blood and also cures many blood disorders Owing to its high fiber content, it thus prevent constipation and also cures many stomach disorders by helping in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. It stimulates liver for excretion of bile juices that are very essential for metabolism of fats, thus helps in weight loss. In additions, there are several other health benefits of Karela.

Karela (Bitter Gourd) botanically called as Momordica charantia is well known for its blood glucose lowering property. It is known to be highly beneficial for diabetics owing to the presence of two phytochemicals called charatin and momordicin playing key role in lowering one’s blood sugar levels. It is also packed with antioxidant phytochemicals that helps the body fight off the associated complications commonly seen in diabetics by scavenging free radicals. More importantly, the seeds of the plant contain insulin called polypeptide-P that mimics the insulin produced by the human pancreas, thus reducing blood sugar levels. It purifies blood and also cures many blood disorders Owing to its high fiber content, it thus prevent constipation and also cures many stomach disorders by helping in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. It stimulates liver for excretion of bile juices that are very essential for metabolism of fats, thus helps in weight loss. In additions, there are several other health benefits of Karela.

Agree to Dr Tripathi who is authority of this field. I wish to add some more  information on Karela

Plant Name: Karela/Karavelli

Botanical Name: Momordica charantia Linn

Natural Order: Cucurbitaceae

Classical Name: Karavelli, Karavella,Karela, Karale

Plant Part Used: Root, Leaf, Fruit, Seed

Ayurvedic Properties:

Rasa: Tikta, Katu

Guna: Laghu

Veerya: Ushna

Vipaka: Katu

Doshaghnata: Kaphapitta Shamak

According to Ayurveda, it’s activity is   Kushtaghna, Vranaropana, Vranashodhana, Dahaparashamna,Rochana,Deepana,Pachana,Pittasarka,Bhedana,Krimighna,Rakatashadhana, Medonashaka, Jwaraghna,Shothahara,Kaphaghna etc.

Pharmacological Properties: Antispasmodic, Antioxytotic, Hypoglycaemic, Mild cholinergic blocking activity, Abortificient, Antipyretic, Mild hypotensive, Antibacterial , Uterine stimulatory, Anthelmintic, Insecticidal , Antiviral, Antilipolytic , Antidiabetic, Antimalarial, Oxygen radical scavenging activity, Antispermatogenic, Immunomodulatory, Antifungal,

Toxicology: Plant Juice at a dose of 10ml/Kg, Proved toxic in alloxan diabetic rabbits

Therapeutic Evaluation : 1. The pure protein termed as P-insulin extracted from karela fruit was tested in a controlled clinical trail for its efficacy as a hypoglycaemic agent in 9 patient of primary diabetes mellitus. The mean fall in sugar level in all patient was 45.8±13.6% after 8 to 12 hour.

2.Polypeptide –p obtained from the fruits and seeds of Karela was administered subcutaneously in 19 patients of diabetes mellitus. Hypoglycemic effect was observed in juvenile as well as maturity onset diabetes patients. The peak effect in juvenile diabetes occurred between 4-8 hours

3. The fruit juice of Karela was to found to significantly improve the glucose tolerance of 73% of the patient investigated while the other 27% failed to respond.

(Reference :Page No 292, Database On Medicinal Plants Used In Ayurveda Volume 4 By CCRAS  2002)

Dear Yogesh & Ajay:

Thank you for a detailed reply.

I am a type-2 diabetes patient.

As my PP sugar has reached 203, I am on diet.

I am planning to take Karela tablets / juice, and see if it has any effect to lower my blood sugar level.

It is too early to say - but after a few months, I shall inform my findings!!

Best wishes,

Sundar

Dear Colleagues,

Good Day,

"6 great reasons to include bitter gourd or karela in your diet

Please, see the link for detail....

http://www.thehealthsite.com/fitness/health-benefits-of-karela-bitter-gourd/

Dear Dr. Vaidyanathan

Please following these 2018 papers

http://www.ijapr.in/index.php/ijapr/article/view/850

Article Momordica charantia Administration Improves Insulin Secretio...

Best wishes

Karela also known as bitter gourd, bitter melon or balsam pear is an annual climbing herb native to India. It is widely grown as vegetable crop in Asia, Africa, and South America The scientific name of karela/bitter gourd is Momordica charantia, and it belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. It has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines for the treatment of diabetes. Besides diabetes, karela/bitter gourd is also useful in prevention/treatment of cancer, inflammation, constipation, skin diseases, abdominal pain, kidney stones, respiratory disorders, gout rheumatism etc.

Please have a look at these useful RG links for more information on health benefits of karela/bitter gourd.

Chapter Health benefits of bitter melon

Article BITTER GOURD: HEALTH PROPERTIES AND VALUE ADDITION AT FARM SCALE a

Article Using Bitter Melon to Treat Diabetes

Article A medicinal potency of Momordica charantia

Article Complementary use of topical bitter melon for atopic dermatitis

Article Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): A natural healthy vegetable

Article Beneficial role of Bitter melon supplementation on obesity a...

Article Momordica charantia: A Natural and Safe Approach for the Tre...

Article Recent Advances in Momordica charantia: Functional Component...

Article Momordica charantia polysaccharides ameliorate oxidative str...

Article MOMORDICA CHARANTIA: FOR TRADITIONAL USES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS

Article Bitter melon: A panacea for inflammation and cancer

Article Bitter Melon as a Therapy for Diabetes, Inflammation, and Ca...

Article Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia L.) bioactive composition ...

Article Nutritional, Pharmacological and Medicinal Properties of Mom...

Article Bitter Gourd Suppresses Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammat...

Article Pharmacological actions and potential uses of Momordica char...

https://www.researchgate.net/post/is_bitter_gourd_effective_in_controlling_diabetes

Karela known "Paradise God is in the earth "

Originaire des tropiques du Vieux Monde, Momordica charantia L. devienne actuellement une plante pantropicale.

En France et Occident, on en trouve dans les boutiques d'aliments asiatiques.

Good for diabetes

I am growin it at my summar garden!