The bitter gourd, also known as the Chinese gourd or the Siberian gourd is a succulent and exotic vine that grows wild across China, Mongolia, and other Asian countries. Its flesh is very thick and meatier than the American or European gourd. The health benefits of Bitter Gourd are plenty.
Health Benefits of bitter gourd
This gourd has a variety of medicinal properties, including having anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, antiviral, expectorant, digestive aid, tonic, and astringent properties. It was used for thousands of years by the ancient Chinese to treat everything from sore throats to kidney stones and even diabetes!
The gourd is a succulent. To make this fruit cook properly, you must expose it to the air, exposing the liquid or juice of the plant to the air until the quality is at its peak. Then it should be kept in an airtight container. It should not be stored in direct sunlight or in damp soil. Ideally, it should be kept out in the open if it is to be enjoyed in its natural state.
Not only does the bitter gourd have medicinal properties, it is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been found to help prevent formation of kidney stones. It has been used to treat high blood pressure, to increase fertility in women, to strengthen the kidneys and liver, to prevent hair loss, and as an aphrodisiac. Other properties found in the plant include antiseptic, stomachic, astringent, diuretic, stimulant, and antibacterial.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the gourd is used as an antidote for poison arrows. The gourd is soaked in hot water and then placed around the poisoned arrow. This will draw the poison out of the arrow. The gourd should also be left in the archer’s hands if he wants to draw a longbow with the plant. The Chinese believe that this will allow him to shoot smoothly and aim better.
Bitter gourds are also used in some folk remedies to treat certain ailments. For example, the gourd can be soaked overnight and used to wash the stomach, intestines, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas, and the stomach itself. It is thought to give relief to stomach cramps and to help move stools more easily. A tea made from bitter gourd can also be used as a decongestant to stop coughing. Drinking a teaspoonful of the tea two to four times daily can ease coughs and colds.
The plant is used in Chinese medicine for diabetes and liver problems. It may also lower blood sugar levels. A Chinese herbal remedy called Hu Jia, which is also called Chinese Ginseng, contains ginseng root and is believed to be helpful in treating diabetes. The National Institute of Health in Japan has found that the plant prevents cholesterol from sticking to the arterial walls. It is useful for people with high cholesterol, although there is no evidence that it helps to lower bad cholesterol.
The bark of bitter gourd contains compounds that may prevent the growth of cancer cells. These compounds are thought to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Research is still continuing on these health benefits of bitter gourd. It is not clear how the gourd helps to prevent cancer, but it appears to contain antifungal and antibacterial substances. Some studies have shown that a combination of the bitter herb and Cayenne pepper can prevent cancer formation in human skin.
One study has shown that the bitter gourd root may also help to prevent tooth decay and cavities. Cayenne peppers, another widely known natural remedy, have been shown to have an anticancer effect when applied topically to the mouth. In addition, the National Institute of Health has said that the plant may prevent urinary stones and stimulate the production of saliva, thus reducing the risks of tooth decay and other kidney disease.