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Bitter but, better
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Bitter gourd has medicinal properties
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Realise the true potential of the Bitter Gourd
Hindi - Karela, Telugu - kakarkai, Tamil - Pavakkai, Malayalam - Kaipakka. Momordica Charantia is an annual plant of slender climbing habit, a member of cucurbitaceae family, originally from S.E. Asia and Tropical Africa is grown all over our country as a vegetable. It has simple tendrils, conspicuously lobed thin green leaves with prominent veins and rough surface borne on slender stems, and thin hairy tendrils and yellow five-petalled flowers produced from each leaf nodes. The fruits are 10-18 cms long, pointed on both ends and covered with numerous little blunt tubercles - light green when unripe, but turns to beautiful orange yellow when ripe and open to disclose white flat seeds immersed in red pulp.
The seeds may be sown before monsoon sets in and allow the plant to run over tree trunks or trellis or use it to cover walls. Use rich, light and permeable soil. The plant needs good sunlight. Water generously and regularly.
In Europe and America Balsam Pear is occasionally grown in the flower garden as an ornamental creeper for its beautiful dainty foliage, bright yellow flowers and curious fruits.
To control diabetes to a great extent eat raw bitter gourd or drink an ounce of fresh bittergourd juice every morning.
To purify blood and cure intestinal ulcers and cough, consumer the preparation `gojju' using bitter gourd, tamarind, jaggery salt and chilli powder. Also used as vegetable curries fritters, fry and pickles.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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