Bitter Gourd Herb
Momordica charantia
Bitter Gourd Herb (Momordica charantia) is a plant drug, also called Karavellam, Karavellakah and Karela. Momordicin concentration is higher in leaves than fruit. Leaf flavonoids show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Chlorophyll-rich fractions may provide additional antioxidant protection during GI transit.
| Botanical name | Momordica charantia |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Also known as | Bitter Gourd Herb, BitterGourdHerb |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2874581 · Wikidata Q428750 · NCBI Taxonomy 3673 |
| Sanskrit | कारवेल्लम् (kāravellam), कारवेल्लकः (kāravellakaḥ) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | करेला (karelā), कठिल्ल (kaṭhilla) |
| Tamil | பாகல் |
Sources: DDSA: University of Madras Tamil Lexicon, Pākal (பாகல்): 'balsam-pear, a climber, Momordica charantia'.; Flowers of India (Bitter Gourd): 'Hindi: करेला Karela, कठिल्ल kathilla, परारु poraru'.; Flowers of India (Bitter Gourd): 'Sanskrit: कारवेल्लकः kaarvellakah'; wisdomlib Ayurveda: Kāravellaka = Momordica charantia, 17th-century Vaidyavallabha.; Flowers of India, Bitter Gourd page (Momordica charantia): 'Hindi: करेला Karela, कठिल्ल kathilla, परारु poraru'.; Śabda-Sāgara: 'Kāravella (कारवेल्ल).—m. A kind of gourd, (Momordica charantia)'; wisdomlib Ayurveda: 'Kāravellaka (कारवेल्लक) or Kareli — Momordica charantia', 17th-century Vaidyavallabha; Flowers of India: Sanskrit कारवेल्लकः.. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2003 to 2024, 11 with a DOI.
- 1Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- 2Randomised controlled trials
- 9Other clinical studies and reviews
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Bitter Gourd Herb |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Swarasa (leaf/vine juice), Churna (dried leaf/vine powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Lepa (paste for external use)
Standard Dosage: 10-20ml leaf juice twice daily; 2-4g vine/leaf powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; external paste as needed for skin conditions
Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach for metabolic benefits; leaf juice before meals; external paste applied to affected areas twice daily
Storage: Fresh juice refrigerated in glass containers. Dried material in airtight, light-protected containers. Cool, dry conditions below 25°C.
Marker Compounds: Momordicin, Vicine, Rosmarinic acid, Gallic acid, Gentisic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Catechin, Epicatechin
Synergistic Combinations
- With Neem leaves for skin and blood purification
- With Guduchi for immunomodulatory formulations
- With Haridra for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial use
- With Karanja leaves for dermatological applications
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2021. Clinical trials with plants in diabetes mellitus therapy: a systematic reviewExpert review of clinical pharmacology. PMID 33884948 · doi:10.1080/17512433.2021.1917380
Randomised controlled trials2
- 2020. Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusComplementary therapies in medicine. PMID 32951763 · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524
- 2003. Effect of bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn) on level and function of natural killer cells in cervical cancer patients with radiotherapyJournal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet. PMID 12678140
Other clinical studies and reviews9
- 2024. Momordica charantia Bioactive Components: Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Benefits Through Gut Health ModulationJournal of medicinal food. PMID 38770678 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2024.k.0037
- 2024. Therapeutic Potential of Momordicine I from Momordica charantia: Cardiovascular Benefits and MechanismsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39408847 · doi:10.3390/ijms251910518
- 2023. Role of Fenugreek, Cinnamon, Curcuma longa, Berberine and Momordica charantia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment: A ReviewPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37111272 · doi:10.3390/ph16040515
- 2023. The Management of Diabetes Mellitus Using Medicinal Plants and VitaminsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 37240430 · doi:10.3390/ijms24109085
- 2023. The Role of Bitter Melon in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Prevention and TherapyInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 37240264 · doi:10.3390/ijms24108918
- 2022. Momordica charantia L.-Diabetes-Related Bioactivities, Quality Control, and Safety ConsiderationsFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 35656300 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.904643
- 2022. Immunomodulatory effects and associated mechanisms of Momordica charantia and its phytochemicalsFood & function. PMID 36350105 · doi:10.1039/d2fo02096c
- 2022. Bioactives of Momordica charantia as Potential Anti-Diabetic/Hypoglycemic AgentsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35408574 · doi:10.3390/molecules27072175
- 2021. Momordica Charantia: A Review of Its Effects on Metabolic Diseases and Mechanisms of ActionJournal of medicinal food. PMID 33733863 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2020.0206
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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