Karela(Bitter gourd) is traditional medicine in Indian Ayurvedic system. It has been used for controlling type 2 diabetes since long time. It is also used to improve overall health as it boosts immunity, improving digestion, controls cholesterol. The fruit and seed contain a polypeptide, p-insulin, which is considered similar structurally and pharmacologically to bovine insulin. It is also rich source of vitamins A and C, beta carotene, minerals phosphorous, iron and potassium etc.
Due to it’s bitter taste many people don’t like this as a vegetable and many people remove it’s bitterness by slightly removing outer skin then soaking in salty water, But this is not good thing as it’s bitterness has all medicinal attributes.
For medicinal purpose one can drink small amount of karela juice or consume karela fowder. If someone don’t like juice or fresh karela then he/she can try karela powder as it is most convenient method and very effective in control of blood sugar in type 2 diabetes as it contains compounds called charantin and momordicin. Additional key compounds such as vicine, peptides and polypeptide-p (plant insulin) work together to lend the vegetable-fruit its antihyperglycemic potency. Karela enhances peripheral glucose utilization and increases serum protein levels. It also increases glucose absorption and fatty acid oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity.
There are many pharmaceutical companies making karela powder.
Top brands of Karela powder
- Himalaya Karela(Powder in Capsule)
- Herbal Hills Karela(Powder in Capsule)
- One capsule, twice a day or as directed by your physician.
- Shivalik Herbals Karela(Powder in Capsule)
- Healthvit Karel Karela Powder(Powder in Capsule)
Each capsule contains 250mg extract of Karela or check the label
Recommended dose
One capsule, twice a day or as directed by your physician.