AYURVEDIC FOODS

Bitter Melon Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

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4.00 out of 5 stars
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"Just bought a bitter melon; started nibbling on it on my way home from the grocery store as I had a really strong urge..."
- Masha Baeva, Vancouver full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start review

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About Bitter Melon

The bitterest member of the gourd family, bitter melon is a popular vegetable in south asia from India northward to China.

Cooking Bitter Melon

Slice bitter melon in 1/4" slices (as a cucumber). Then sautee with onions and garlic as a most basic recipe.

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Is Bitter Melon Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?

Find out by taking this free, easy quiz. You'll learn your body type, and whether 'Bitter Melon' is a good fit. Complete the basic quiz in 1 minute, or go deeper with additional quizzes at your own leisure to learn more about your body.

Take the Quiz

AYURVEDA'S GUIDE TO VITALITY & WHOLESOME NOURISHMENT

Your Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body and your specific imbalances. With an Ayurvedic diet you feel joy and satisfaction because what you are eating truly nourishes and balances you. Disease results from diets and lifestyles that are incompatible with your nature. By eating a personalized diet matched to your body, you experience optimal health. See How it Works.
SERVING SIZE: 1/2 c
SPECIES: Momordica charantia

EAT IN: SPRING

Metabolic Nature of Bitter Melon

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.
INCREASES
Guna Help

Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas)

Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIQUEFIED

MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MOBILE

TASTES
Taste Help

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes, laxative, and drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

DOSHAS
Dosha Help

The Three Doshas / Body Types

According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history.

The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Vata aggravating
HAS THE FOLLOWING
Family: Cucurbitaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS
(see all)

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Bitter Melon
Help
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

Appetite Suppressant

APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT

Suppresses hunger without causing weight gain.

SEE ALL 'APPETITE-SUPPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

General Laxative

GENERAL-LAXATIVE

Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives.

SEE ALL 'GENERAL-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Cholagogue

STRONG CHOLAGOGUE

Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines.

SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

Abortifacient

ABORTIFACIENT

An abortifacient is a substance that induces abortion. These herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy.

SEE ALL 'ABORTIFACIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Bitter Melon

Mustard Greens

Mustard Greens has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Appetite-suppressant, Hypolipidemic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Appetite-suppressant, Hypolipidemic

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Appetite-suppressant, Hypolipidemic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Arugula

Arugula has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Hypolipidemic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Endive

Endive has these Actions in Common

Hypolipidemic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Artichoke Hearts

Artichoke Hearts has these Actions in Common

Hypolipidemic, Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, General-laxative, Appetite-suppressant

LEARN MORE

Artichoke

Artichoke has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, General-laxative, Appetite-suppressant, Hypolipidemic

LEARN MORE

Kale

Kale has these Actions in Common

Appetite-suppressant, Internal-detoxicant, Cholagogue, Lowers-blood-sugar, Hypolipidemic

LEARN MORE

Radish (raw)

Radish (raw) has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Hypolipidemic

LEARN MORE

Burdock Root (Gobo)

Burdock Root (Gobo) has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Hypolipidemic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Bitter Melon

Patola

Patola has these Actions in Common

Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, General-laxative

LEARN MORE

Yellow Dock

Yellow Dock has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Triphala Guggulu

Triphala Guggulu has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Bhumyamalaki

Bhumyamalaki has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, General-laxative, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Root

Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Neem Leaf

Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Punarnava

Punarnava has these Actions in Common

Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Gymnema / Gurmar

Gymnema / Gurmar has these Actions in Common

Appetite-suppressant, Hypolipidemic, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Vidanga

Vidanga has these Actions in Common

Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Chandraprabha Vati

Chandraprabha Vati has these Actions in Common

General-laxative, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Guggulu

Guggulu has these Actions in Common

Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized school of biocharacteristics medicine.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Bitter Melon may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any food for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this food to treat a medical condition.

HOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?

Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.

Clinical Tools & Resources

Give smart recommendations to your clients and improve efficiency in your clinic with these tools.
About John Joseph Immel

About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda biocharacteristics. His approach to Ayurveda is clinical, yet exudes an ease which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda, offering professional clinical training in Ayurveda for over 15 years.

John's interest in Ayurveda and specialization in digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, as well as public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and 7 kids, and pursuing his love of theology, philosophy, and language.

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Comments & Impressions of 'Bitter Melon'

Do you like 'bitter melon'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something else you'd like to know about 'bitter melon'?

full start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewfull start reviewblank start review(4.00 out of 5 stars) 3 ratings, 204 likes
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Just bought a bitter melon; started nibbling on it on my way home from the grocery store as I had a really strong urge to eat it. At home ,washed and sliced it in to sticks- like celery sticks- and ate it as is with artichoke and asiago dip (I do realize it is a bad choice). I am Pitta, overweight. Am I in trouble? My friend, who is (skinny)diabetic, drinks bitter melon/green apple/celery juice -freshly squeezed -every day. Thank you.
- Masha Baeva, Vancouver
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, 08-02-14 (Reply)

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