Natural Remedies: Bitter Gourd

Pancreatic Health and Insulin Resistance
When insulin resistance occurs, the pancreas secretes excess insulin to compensate for diminished insulin sensitivity in the tissues. If this condition is left untreated for prolonged periods of time, the pancreas gets fatigued, insulin output drops and diabetes mellitus II develops. So it is important to attend to rejuvenate the pancreatic cells and keep it healthy.

Remedy: Bitter Gourd
Bitter Gourd (Karela, Pavakkai) is well known nourishment for pancreatic cells and diabetes. Extracts are commonly used in herbal supplements for diabetes.

Treatment Methodology
Bitter Gourd is a commonlu used plant in Asia. In the US and Europe, Korean. Chinese/Indian markets and health food stories carry the vegetable. Frozen, chopped vegetable is also available in most Indian stores.

To treat PCOS, the best way to consume Bitter Gourd is to drink the juice prepared from a 5-6 inches long raw vegetable (by beating it in a mixer and straining it) every morning for at least 3-4 months after which the frequency may be reduced depending on the patient's progress. As the name implies the vegetable and its juice are very bitter to taste. The patient must remember that its benefits far outweigh its bitterness!

Caution!!!
- Rinse the raw vegetable in warm water before beating it to eliminate germs and microbes
- As Bitter Gourd ages, the skin can develop fungus - avoid consuming such a vegetable