Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter, pungent
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry, light
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent
- Dosha Effect
- Dos.aHIIHFW9.3ï
- Key Constituents
- Terpenoids Triterpene glycosides, momordicosides Sterols Charantin, campesterol, VWLJPDVWHUROշVLWRVWHURO Bitter principle (Murray 1992, Williamson 2002)
- Dhatu
- Plasma, blood, muscle, fat
- Srotas
- Digestive, water, excretory
What is Karavella?
Karavella is a common vegetable also used to regulate blood sugar levels and treat urinary disorders. It is a very bitter remedy that has a wonderful healing effect on the blood.
Ayurvedic Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rasa (taste) | Bitter, pungent |
| Vīrya (energy) | Hot |
| Vipāka (post-digestive) | Pungent |
| Guṇa (quality) | Dry, light |
| Doṣa effect | Dos.aHIIHFW9.3ï |
| Dhātu (tissue) | Plasma, blood, muscle, fat |
| Srotas (channel) | Digestive, water, excretory |
Therapeutic Actions
- Dı-pana: Enkindles the digestive fire
- Bhedanı-ya: Purgative clearing accumulations
- Amapacana: Clears ama toxins
- Pa- .n .dughna: Cures anaemia
- Pramehaghna: Alleviates diabetes
- Kr. mina-: śaka Destroys worms
- Biomedical: Antidiabetic, carminative, vermifuge, bitter tonic, cholagogue, purgative, diuretic, lithotriptic, alterative, vulnerary
Safety & Contraindications
Contraindications: Pregnancy, as it has a bitter and; descending effect
Safety: Caution in patients on hypoglycaemic medication.
Dosage & Combinations
Dosage: 5–10g dry per day or 3–15ml of a 1:2 @ 40% fresh tincture.
Combinations:
- Gurmar, fenugreek, trikat. u, turmeric in diabetes.
- Manjishtha, bhumiamalaki, gokshura for urinary stones. Chapter 6 PLANT PROFILES
- Neem, garlic for worms.
- Amalaki in acidity and inflammation.
- Neem, manjishtha, kutki in skin disorders.
How to Use Karavella by Condition
Explore how Karavella is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (1 sources)
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
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
Diet after surgery – भोजनं च यथासा यं यवगोधूमषि टकाः मसरू मु गतव ु र जीव तीसु नष णकाः बालमूलकवताकत डुल यकावा तुकम ् कारवे लककक टपटोलकटुकाफलम ् सै धवं दा डमं धा ी घ ृतं त त हमं जलम ् जीणशा योदनं ि न धम पमु णोदको तरम ् भु जानो जा गलैमासैः शी ं णमपोह त The food of the patient should be that which is accustomed such as barley, wheat, rice of sixty day ripening (shashtika shali), Masura – lentil, Mudga (green-gram), Tuvari – (tur dal), Jivanti, Sunisannaka, tender Mulaka (Radish), Vartaka, Tan
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastrakarma Vidhi
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food; Shastrakarma Vidhi
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.