Overview
Bitter Gourd is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for male sexual health. Karavella (Bitter Gourd/Karela) is one of the most important medicinal vegetables. The plant is a tendril-bearing climber with deeply lobed leaves. The fruits are oblong, green, 1.5-5 inches, tapering at both ends, covered with wart-like projections. All parts are extremely bitter. It is a principal vegetable used in diabetes (Prameha). It purifies blood, kills intestinal worms, and is used in fever, skin diseases, and liver disorders. The juice is used for diabetes. It is an excellent Pitta-shamaka despite being hot in potency, due to its strong bitter taste. Regular consumption helps control blood sugar levels. It also contains Momordicin which gives its characteristic bitterness. Contains Charantin which has hypoglycemic action. Verses: 24-26. Dose: Swarasa (juice) 10-20 ml.
How Bitter Gourd Helps with Male Sexual Health
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Bitter Gourd has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing male sexual health:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Cucurbitacins, Momordicine
- Also Known As
- English: Small Bitter Gourd
Sanskrit: कारवेल्लक
Hindi: कुड़
Other Herbs for Male Sexual Health
See all herbs for male sexual health on the Male Sexual Health page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.