Botanical Name: Momordica charantia
Family Name: Cucurbitaceae

Common Method of Extraction: Solvent extraction and Cold pressed method from seeds.

Parts Used: Seed

Note Classification: NA

Aroma: NA

Largest Producing Countries:

Traditional Use: The bitter gourd seed oil contains appropriate amounts of conjugated fatty acid α-eleostearic acid, which is a positional and geometric isomer of α-linolenic acid. Bitter gourd is a seasonal vegetable and is popular for its phosphorous content. The vegetable is bitter in taste and is known for purifying blood, activates spleen and liver and is very effective for diabetes. Bitter gourd seed oil contains tonic, antipyretic, antidotal, stomachic, appetizing, laxative and antibilious properties. Bitter gourd seed oil is used for treatment of atherosclerosis and diabetes. The oil is good for treating diabetes and it promotes menstruation. It is widely used to expel intestinal gas, fever, hepatitis and measles. The oil is good for the treatment of sores and wounds and it possess anti-HIV protein which is able to prevent cancer and HIV due to antiviral and antitumor properties. It is also useful to avoid vomiting. The Bitter gourd fruit is mainly used as a folk medicine for diabetes because it contains a natural hypoglycaemic or insulin like principle and that is also the reason why it is called plant insulin. It drops the blood and urine sugar levels. Bitter gourd juice made out of fresh leaves of bitter gourd is effective in the treatment for piles. It is worthy for the treatment of blood boils, scabies, itching, ring-worm, psoriasis and different other kinds of fungal diseases. The roots of the plant are good for respiratory problems and have been used from ancient times. Juice made from the leaves is good for treating alcoholism and is good to treat during the early stages of cholera and different types of diarrhoea. The antioxidants present in the bitter gourd destroy the free radicals which cause diseases like cancer and it is used as an anti-tumour and anti-carcinogenic agent and it enhances the antioxidants numbers in the body.

Blends well With: Carrier oils

Of Interest: Bitter gourd originated in India and was later introduced to China in the 14th century. It was brought to Brazil from Africa through slave trade. Bitter gourd and its oil are widely used in East Asian, South Asia and Southeast Asian cuisines. In Turkey, it is commonly used to calm stomach disorders, ulcers, constipation, ulcer, water retention and bloating. In India, bitter gourd plant is used in the Ayurvedic branch of medicine to manage diabetes, balance hormones, treat skin disorders, and treat constipation and stomach disorder. Biter gourd acts as cough suppressant and prevents respiratory ailments. Bitter gourd is used for cooking in Asia and has been in use for more than hundreds of years to treat different ailments in countries like Brazil, Cuba, China, India, Haiti, Malaysia, Ghana, Panama, Mexico, Peru and Nicaragua. Indians, Chinese and Japanese add bitter gourd to stir fries for enhancing digestive health. The other common names by bitter gourd is known are karela, Balsam Pear, Squash, bitter melon, melao de sao caetano, papailla, bittergourd, a’jayib almaasi, sorosi, balsam apple, assorossie, balsam pear, ejinrin gule khandan, salsamino, pava-aki, sorci, sorossie,sorossi, sorossies, peria laut, pare, peria bitter squash, chin li chih, karela, fu-kua, k’u kua kurela, ku gua, kor-kuey and lai p’u t’ao.

Safety Data: Bitter gourd seed oil should not be used by pregnant women because it can induce bleeding and contractions which leads to miscarriage. It is always better to consult a doctor before using the oil.