As per the name bitter gourd this vegetable is bitter in taste.The color of bitter gourd is green.The shape is long and elliptical.Bitter gourd grows on climbing plant.This climbing plant grows in our courtyard and even in pots.It gives good bitter gourds.The growth of this climbing plant is nice if proper care is taken.In winter season the growth is more and also bitter gourd comes with more numbers.Bitter gourd is available whole year.Bitter gourd has vertical lines towards outside.Bitter gourd has white seeds inside.As the bitter gourds starts ripening the seeds also starts becoming red and the bitter gourd also becomes red.Bitter gourd seeds are soft and it should be eaten with it.Pointed seeds should be removed while cooking.Bitter gourds do not last for longer times.It remains fresh for 4-5 days in refrigerators.After bringing from market it should be consumed soon.It has good medicinal values.It is used since ancient era.Bitter juice is the specialty of this vegetable.The climbing tree of bitter gourd has yellow flowers.Bitter is very good for our health.This vegetable are of two types, small and big bitter gourds.Small gourds are more bitter than bigger gourds.Bitter gourd is anti-bacterial as well as anti-fungal.
Nutritional value :
Bitter gourd contains Carbohydrate, Fats, Protein, Fibers, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Vitamin B and C.
Medicinal uses :
- Bitter gourd purifies our blood.It removes the toxins from our blood.This is called as detoxification.Due to this the supply of blood towards skin is pure and with many nutrients.This automatically makes our skin healthy.When our skin comes in contact with harmful germs and bacterias, bitter gourd helps in fight against these germs and bacterias.Boils comes on our face and skin.Itching of skin and other allergies disturbs our skin.Pimples is also a big problem.In all these skin problems bitter gourd is very useful.Take half cup of bitter gourd juice and mix with one glass of water.Add two tablespoon of lime juice to it and also add small pinch of salt.Make four equal parts of this mixture and drink four times in a day at regular intervals.It cures skin problems.
- Due to bitter gourd the movement of intestine is properly carried out.This is called as peristalsis.The more the good movement the more is cleaning of our intestine.It cleans our stomach properly.It also contains cellulose which helps in this process.Fibers in bitter gourd increase the movement of intestine.It removes gas problem.It cures acidity.Toxins are removed through excreta.Nutrients are absorbed in the intestines.So eat bitter gourd vegetable regularly.Eat this vegetable at least 2-3 times in a week.
- Scientists have found that seeds of bitter gourd as well as the vegetable reduces the Leukemia which is blood cancer.The seeds contain A-Eleostearic acid and vegetable contains 15,16 Dihydroxy-A-Eleostearic acid.These both acids increases the health of red blood cells and white blood cells.So it is important to eat this vegetable as well as drink the bitter gourd juice.
- In winter season due to cold and dry wind our respiratory system gets disturbed.From cold and cough, asthma, tonsillitis, bronchitis and other such diseases occur.We start sneezing all the time, our nose become dry and sometime it get blocked.Sinus also may occur from such cold.Our body starts shivering and finally we fall ill.As bitter gourd has the quality of anti-bacterial it is useful in such problems.Drink juice regularly.Take half cup of bitter gourd juice and add 3-4 teaspoons of honey.Add one cup of water and take 2-3 times in a day.It starts showing effects soon.It cures all respiratory problems.
- Bitter gourd is well known for curing diabetes.It reduces the production of sugar in our blood.It increases the level of insulin.Bitter gourd maintains the proper level of sugar in our blood.Due to diabetes there are other side effects on our eyes, veins and on heart.It cures all these side effects.Take a half cup of juice with little water daily.
- Bitter gourd cleans the liver properly and it remains in good condition.It digests the fats in our body.It help in piles.For all these problems drink half cup of juice with little water and add one tablespoon of lemon juice regularly.