Overview

Bitter Gourd is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for hyperthyroidism. 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 Hyperthyroidism

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Bitter Gourd has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing hyperthyroidism:

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

▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)

74 पटोलस तला र टशा गे टाव गुजा अम ृताः वे ा ब ृहतीवासाकु तल तलप णकाः म डूकपण कक टकारवे लकपपटाः नाडीकलायगोिज वावाताकं वन त तकम ् कर रं कु कं न द कुचैला शुकलादनी क ट लं के बुकं शीतं सकोशातकककशम ् त तं पाके कटु ा ह वातलं कफ प तिजत ् Patola, saptala, arista (neem leaves), sharngeshta (angaravalli/bharangi), Avalguja (Bakuchi), amruta (Tinospora), Vetra (shoot of vetra), Brhati (Solanum indicum), vasa (Adhatoda vasica), kutill, tilaparnika (badraka), mandukaparni (Gotu kola), Karkota, karavella
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

कारवे लं सकटुकं द पनं कफिज परम ् Karavella (bitter gourd) is bitter in taste, kindles digestion and mitigates kapha and pitta especially.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

In this condition, the blood should let out with shringa (horn), jalauka (leech application), suchi (needle), alabu (hollow bitter gourd), pracchana (scratching) or siravyadha (venesection) depending on morbidity and strength of the patient.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)

Vastuka (Chenopodium album) greens, Sarishta greens, Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) greens, pointed gourd, garlic (Allium sativum), brinjal (Solanum melongena), and bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) are beneficial.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Diet for Rheumatism (Amavata Pathyapathyam)

Old rice, Chira (flattened rice), warm food, soup of arid-land animals, pointed gourd (Trichosanthes dioica), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), grapes (Vitis vinifera), ripe mango, and pomegranate (Punica granatum) are wholesome.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 33: Diet for Abdominal Colic (Shula Roga Pathyapathyam)

Garlic (Allium sativum), fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale), buttermilk, Kulaka, Shigru fruit (Moringa oleifera), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), bitter gourd, betel leaf, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), and milk are recommended.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 36: Diet for Abdominal Enlargement (Udara Roga Pathyapathyam)

Old Shali rice is recommended, soup of green gram and Kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum), Karkotaka (Momordica dioica), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), drumstick (Moringa oleifera), grapes, and pomegranate.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 62: Diet for Sheeta Pitta and Related Disorders (Sheetapitta Pathyapathyam)

Shali rice, green gram, Kulthi (Macrotyloma uniflorum), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), Upodika (Basella alba), bamboo shoots, warm water, and substances that remove Kapha and Pitta are wholesome.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 63: Diet for Udarda-Kotha Disorders (Udardakotha Pathyapathyam)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Diet for Rheumatism (Amavata Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 33: Diet for Abdominal Colic (Shula Roga Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 36: Diet for Abdominal Enlargement (Udara Roga Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 62: Diet for Sheeta Pitta and Related Disorders (Sheetapitta Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 63: Diet for Udarda-Kotha Disorders (Udardakotha Pathyapathyam)

The drugs for purification in both directions (emesis and purgation) are: koshataka, saptala, shankhini, devadali, and karavellika (bitter gourd).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification

Among expressed juices, karavellika (bitter gourd) is best.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 44: Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations

The drugs for purification in both directions (emesis and purgation) are: koshataka, saptala, shankhini, devadali, and karavellika (bitter gourd).
— Sushruta Samhita, Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification

Among expressed juices, karavellika (bitter gourd) is best.
— Sushruta Samhita, Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 44: Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations; Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification; Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations

Other Herbs for Hyperthyroidism

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Shilajit Asphaltum Shilajit literally means ‘rock overpowering’ and is a natural exudate from the rocks of the Himalayas and other mountainous regions of the world. Its high mineral content oozes out in the heat of the summer. It is a superb mineral supplement that benefits the kidneys and and urinary and reproductive systems.

See all herbs for hyperthyroidism on the Hyperthyroidism 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.