22 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd For Skin, Hair And Health

Confused with the name? More commonly bitter gourd in hindi is known as “Karela”. This vegetable is called as Bitter Gourd, Bitter Melon and Bitter Squash in english. First thing that comes to my mind seeing it is the bitterness in the name. They are dark or light green in colour depending on the region where they are grown. Though they taste very bitter, they are filled with many beneficial antioxidants and essential vitamins.

Bitter melon can be consumed in various ways like drinking its juice, pickle or using them in recipes.

BITTER MELON BENEFITS:

Let us quickly look at some of the most well known health benefits of Bitter Melon:

1. Respiratory disorders:

Fresh pods are an excellent remedy for curing respiratory problems like asthma, cold, cough, etc.

2. Liver tonic:

Drink one glass of Bitter Melon juice daily to heal liver problems. Keep consuming this continuously for a week to see results.

3. Immune system:

Boil bitter melon leaves or fruits in water and consume it every day to fight against infections. This also helps to build your immunity.

4. Acne:

Consuming Bitter Melon can help to get rid of acne, blemishes and deep skin infections.  Bitter melon is useful in treating blood disorders like blood boils, scabies, itching, psoriasis, ring-worm and other fungal diseases. The free radicals in it are also useful for anti ageing.

Consume juice of bitter melon mixed with lemon on an empty stomach daily for 6 months or till you get the required results.

5. Diabetes:

Bitter melon juice benefits to overcome type 2 diabetes. It has been a part of the Chinese and Indian ancient medicine for a long time but only recent research has proven that it is no folk lore. Type 2 diabetes is caused partially due to the inability of a cell to absorb the sugar in the blood due to insufficient insulin or due development of resistance to insulin. In both cases, the cells are unable to absorb the sugar due to the ineffectiveness of insulin produced. The absorption of sugar occurs due to the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in the cells. Bitter gourd activated these kinases due to which the absorption of sugar increases. And hence aids in bringing diabetes in control.

Green juice for diabetics: cucumbers, green apples, bitter melon, celery, ½ green capsicum (bell pepper). Bitter melon contains certain chemicals that are like insulin which help to reduce blood sugar levels.

6. Constipation:

Bitter melon helps in easy digestion as it contains fibre properties. The food is digested and waste is thrown out of the body which helps in curing indigestion and constipation problems.

7. Kidney and bladder:

Bitter melon helps to maintain healthy liver and bladder. It is also useful in curing kidney stones.

8. Heart disease:

Bitter melon is very good for the heart in many ways. They help to reduce the bad cholesterol levels which clog the arterial walls and thereby reduce the chances of heart attacks. Also it is known to lower blood sugar levels that help in maintaining good heart health.

 9. Cancer:

Bitter Melon can prevent cancer cells from multiplying.

10. Weight loss:

Bitter Melon contains antioxidants, which help to flush out your system. This improves your metabolism and digestive systems thus helping you lose weight quickly.The two other major factors that aid in weight loss is the calorie control and filling components. Calorie control happens as such because vegetables are low on calories which allows you to consume more quantities of them. Filling component in this vegetable is water. We know that water is a universal suppressant of hunger. And the pods of this vegetable contain on the whole 80-85% water.

SKIN BENEFITS FOR BITTER MELON:

The appearance of your skin is largely determined by what you put inside your body. In other words, getting proper nutrition is a pre requisite for healthy and damage free skin. Being a natural blood purifier, bitter gourd helps in improving the appearance of your skin. It provides the following benefits to your skin:

11. Prevents Skin Problems:

Regular consumption of bitter gourd helps in keeping your skin glowing and free from blemishes. It also helps prevent acne thanks to its blood purifying properties.

12. Skin Infections:

Bitter melon benefits in treating skin diseases or skin infections, eczema and psoriasis. Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice helps in improving psoriasis condition as well as other fungal infections like ring worm and athletes foot.

13. Anti-ageing:

Bitter gourd contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. By fighting and eliminating the harmful free radicals, it helps to prevent wrinkles by slowing down the ageing process. It also protects the skin from damage by Sun’s ultraviolet rays.

14. Healing Qualities:

Bitter gourd helps in controlling blood flow and clotting, causing wounds to heal faster, preventing further infections.

HAIR BENEFITS OF BITTER MELON:

Bitter gourd is a great home remedy for your hair. Besides being beneficial for your skin and health, bitter gourd juice is also effective in treating hair problems and promoting longevity. It is beneficial for your hair in the following ways:

15. Shiny Hair:

To impart a natural shine to your hair, you can mix a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice with yoghurt and apply on your hair. Wash off after sometime. This will make your hair shiny and beautiful.

16. Dandruff:

Dandruff is a common problem and is mostly caused due to the consumption of unhealthy food and exposure to pollution. To ward off dandruff, you can prepare a hair pack by mixing bitter gourd juice and cumin seeds. Regular usage of this pack will rid you of dandruff within a month.

17. Split Ends:

If you are troubled by split ends, you can apply raw bitter gourd juice to your split ends and then comb gently. This should be done twice a week to get rid of split ends.

18. Dry and Itchy Scalp:

To combat dryness of scalp, you can rub a fresh piece of bitter gourd on it and massage your scalp in a circular motion. Then rinse off with clear water. To combat itchiness, you can prepare a hair pack by mixing bitter gourd juice with either avocado or banana and apply it on your scalp. This should be used at least once a week to get rid of itchy scalp.

19. Hair Loss:

Bitter gourd juice helps in reducing hair-fall naturally. All you need to do is mix bitter gourd juice with a dash of sugar and use this paste on your hair to get good results.

20. Rough and Tangled Hair:

If you have rough and tangled hair, you can pour a cup of bitter gourd juice and allow it to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse off your hair. This will help smoothen your hair texture and make it soft and shiny.

21. Grey Hair:

Bitter gourd can also treat premature greying of hair. You can apply freshly squeezed bitter gourd juice on your grey strands. Doing this once in every ten days will reduce grey hair growth.

22. Oily Hair:

Increased intake of oily food can cause the accumulation of excess oil in your hair. If you have oily hair, you should first limit the consumption of oily food. You can apply a mixture of bitter gourd juice and apple cider vinegar to remove excess oil from your hair.

Bitter Gourd: Nutritional Value:

The numerous health, skin and hair benefits of bitter melon can be attributed to its nutritional value. It has a wide array of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper and phosphorus. The chart given below shows the nutritional value of bitter gourd.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:Bitter melon (Momordica charantia), fresh, raw, Nutritive value per 100 g
Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	17 Kcal	<1%
Carbohydrates	3.70 g	3%
Protein	1.00 g	2%
Total Fat	0.17 g	0.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	2.80 g	7%
Vitamins
Folates	72 µg	18%
Niacin	0.400 mg	2.5%
Pantothenic acid	0.212 mg	4%
Pyridoxine	0.043 mg	3%
Riboflavin	0.040 mg	3%
Thiamin	0.040 mg	3.5%
Vitamin A	471 IU	16%
Vitamin C	84 mg	140%
Electrolytes
Sodium	5 mg	<1%
Potassium	296 mg	6%
Minerals
Calcium	19 mg	2%
Copper	0.034 mg	4%
Iron	0.43 mg	5%
Magnesium	17 mg	4%
Manganese	0.089 mg	4%
Zinc	0.80 mg	7%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	190 µg	–
Carotene-α	185 µg
Lutein-zeaxanthin	170 µg	–

• Calories: Bitter gourd is quite low in calories with a 100 gram serving providing just 17 calories.
• Vitamin C: Bitter gourd is an excellent source of vitamin C with 100 grams of raw pod, providing 84 mg of this vitamin which is equivalent to 140% of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI).
• Folates: Fresh pods are a good source of folates. 100 grams of fresh pods provide 72 µg of folate which is equivalent to 18% of RDI.
• B-vitamins: It is also a good source of B-vitamins like niacin or Vitamin B3, pantothenic acid or Vitamin B5 and pyridoxine or Vitamin B6.

SOME IMPORTANT TIPS:

1. Always wash Bitter Melon thoroughly under running water.

2. Use fresh Bitter Melon for best results.

3. Always choose bitter gourds that are fresh, bright, deep green in colour.

4. Don’t consume more than 2 bitter melons a day

4. The Bitter Melon leaves should be kept in a cool, dry, dark place. They stay fresh in refrigerator up to a week.

5. Marinade with salt to reduce bitterness.

6. Pregnant women should be careful while consuming this vegetable. The laxative component of the vegetable may lead to premature contraction, vaginal bleeding and miscarriages. Do consult your doctor once.

How to cure premature ejaculation

What is Premature Ejaculation

Premature ejaculation is a rapidly growing youth's sexual incompetence. When a man gets semen fall before his desire, or very soon ejaculate during intercourse, it is called Shigr collapse. In medical language speaking, begin intercourse within 60 seconds if a man becomes a semen ejaculation (premature ejaculation) is called. Because of this problem, men can not satisfy your partner during intercourse.

Premature Ejaculation Causes and Symptoms

There are many causes of premature ejaculation. Like incorrectly masturbation, excessive stress, brain chemicals Asuntln the Level 2 PE was not treated properly can cause. This is a sufferer of irritable nature. It may be physical problems such as headaches. In addition there is also interest in sex after a while and physical weakness may also occur.

Treatment varies

Of PE, depending on the type and level are treated separately. Homeopathy effective in the treatment of premature ejaculation is present. Besides domestic formulations can be adopted. Experts believe that the PE treat different symptoms depending on whether the problem can be managed effectively.

Have sex in the middle of the calories

Once sex is about 400 to 500 calories consumed. So if possible, so that the energy in between liquid, such as glucose, juice, milk, etc. can. Further negotiations may also benefit you. This avoids the problem of premature ejaculation.

Macuna pruriens seeds, white musli and Ashwagandha

For the treatment of premature ejaculation homegrown macuna pruriens seeds, white musli and Ashwagandha seeds mixed with sugar in equal measure, make a fine powder. Then with a spoon of milk powder to a cup of morning and evening deficiency diseases such as premature ejaculation and semen are away.

Tamarind and jaggery

One kg of tamarind seeds boiled in water for 2 to 3 days. Remove from water and peel them off now seeds grind properly. Now, about twice the amount of the old mixed with molasses knead the flour. Make small balls of paste obtained. 2 hours before having sex with them, drink milk. Thus overcoming the problem of premature ejaculation can be found.

Treatment not Run

If you suffer from premature ejaculation, so it is important to keep in mind that every situation is treatable and even the most severe cases can be solved. Take the issue of a common physical discomfort. The most important thing is to keep your cool and make the problem immediately. The more time you spend usually made without treatment, the problem is much more difficult to be treated and will argue

Premature ejaculation and treatment

Do not fret if you suffer from premature ejaculation, it is ok to treat every situation. Do not panic, even the most severe cases can be solved. The doctor treated the problem so please remain calm. The more time you spend providing the untreated, and treated the problem becomes much more difficult Dtil and will be painful.

Please when treatment

During the frequent intercourse before your ejaculation is your partner and you want to talk about it to your doctor immediately. Many people think that this problem is common lager and will recover itself automatically, then you are wrong. Even if it is a common problem but to be treated at the right time is critical.

7 Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Both vitamin A and vitamin C, in which sweet potatoes are also abundant, are invaluable for the prevention of many different types of cancer. Research has shown that the antioxidant pigment anthocyanin is abundant in the starch of the sweet potato, which may decrease the dangers presented by heavy metals and oxygen radicals.

Further antioxidant properties are produced by storage enzymes found in sweet potatoes. When damaged, the potato releases sporamins to help heal itself, an antioxidant capability our gastrointestinal tracts may also take advantage of.

Anti-Inflammatory
Sweet potato has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the vitamin C, vitamin B6, beta-carotene, and manganese it contains. They are just as effective in curing both internal and external inflammations. Lowered inflammation has been shown in brain tissue and nerve tissue throughout the body following the consumption of sweet potato.

Arthritis
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, which has been found to help in the prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Studies have found that those who ate foods rich in beta-cryptoxanthin were 50% less likely to develop inflammatory arthritis than those who ate very of those foods. Just one serving per day of foods containing beta-cryptoxanthin, such as sweet potatoes, provided significant benefit.

In addition, the vitamin C in sweet potatoes helps maintain collagen and reduces the risk of developing certain forms of arthritis.

Blood Sugar The carotenoids in sweet potato can help your body respond to insulin and stabilize your blood sugar. Sweet potatoes also have a significant amount of Vitamin B6, helping resistance to diabetic heart disease. Their high content of soluble fiber aids in lowering both blood sugar and cholesterol, and their abundance of chlorogenic acid may help decrease insulin resistance.

Stomach Ulcers
Sweet potato is soothing for the stomach. The B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene, and calcium they contain help in the healing of stomach ulcers. The fiber in sweet potatoes helps prevent constipation and acidity, consequently reducing the possibility of ulcers. The anti-inflammatory properties of sweet potatoes also soothe the pain and inflammation of ulcers.

Emphysema

Sweet potatoes provide over 90% of the body’s vitamin A needs. Researchers have found that smokers should eat foods high in vitamin A, as emphysema and many other lung diseases may be brought on by a deficiency of vitamin A associated with smoking.

Digestive Tract

Sweet potatoes are a good source of dietary fiber, helping to promote a healthy digestive system. Research has found that they may also help to cleanse heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury from the digestive tract.

10 Simple Steps To A Perfect Chicken Biryani

It is traditionally reserved for special occasions such as parties, weddings, holidays such as the Ramadan.

The preparation is quite lengthy but the outcome is simply amazing. 

The secret of making an awesome chicken biryani is all in the spices...

I personally recommend using Basmati rice. It's thin and a fine grain rice which can be used for a variety of purposes.

Use Ghee instead of butter. 

It's a very important ingredient if you want your biryani to have a more authentic taste. 

So please, no substitution here! :-)

Also be sure that you have all the following ingredients in place in order to simplify the cooking process. 

Ingredients:

1-1/2 kg chicken disjointed
1kg soaked basmati rice
2 cinnamon (powder)
6 cloves - whole
1/2 tsp cloves powder
5 cardamoms
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1 tbsp whole cumin
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
2g oriental saffron 
1 cup yogurt
2 tbsp ginger garlic paste
50g crushed onion
500g fried onion
500g fried potatoes (marinated in a pinch of yellow food coloring before frying)
1 cup oil
1/4 cup ghee
1 tbsp salt
50g fresh coriander leaves (finely chopped)
50g fresh mint leaves (finely chopped)
5 green chilies cut lengthwise

Ok, before doing anything else...

Take some flour (around 1/2 kg) and mix it with 1 - 2 cups of water. We are preparing a dough. Once done, keep it aside. We'll be using it later (see step 8).

Now follow the 10 simple steps: 

(1) Marinate chicken in saffron, chili powder, turmeric, ginger-garlic paste and crushed onions.

(2) Add dry spices to yogurt and mix with chicken. Marinate for 1 hour.

(3) Add fried onions, fried potatoes, coriander, mint leaves, green chilies to the marinated chicken. Smear again.

(4) Gradually add oil, ghee and 2 cups of water to the marinated chicken. Keep aside for 30 minutes.

(5) Boil 1500 ml (1.5 L) of water with whole cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, salt and soaked rice. Boil until half done.

(6) Strain and place a layer of rice on chicken. Sprinkle with fried onions, a little ghee and saffron diluted in 1/2 cup of hot water.

(7) Top with remaining rice. Sprinkle again with fried onions, 1 tsp ghee and 1 tsp saffron.

(8) Seal the pot lid with the dough. 

(9) Cook on high heat for 10 minutes, then reduce heat (or reduce heat when sizzling occurs). Simmer for 1 hour. 

(10) Serve with spiced yogurt, thinly slice carrots and cucumber salad.

Yield 8 servings.

Tips: Use a heavy utensil when cooking the biryani. The dough can be replaced with a heavy lid for sealing. For crispy fried onions simply fry them in oil.

The Health Benefits Of Chicken Curry Recipes

Chicken

Chicken is an excellent source of protein and contains less fat than most meats, especially the breast which contains half the fat of a steak. Chicken is a good source of niacin, which possesses cancer fighting properties as well as the trace mineral selenium.

It is also a good source of vitamin B6, which in conjunction with niacin, is good for energy production by helping the body's conversion of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates into usable energy, as well as good cardiovascular health.

Onion and garlic

Onion and garlic are frequently used in curry recipes and both have protective effects - onion has been shown to protect against stomach and colon cancers for instance and garlic is well known for its anti-fungal and antibiotic properties. When cooked it is less powerful, but supposedly is good for the cardiovascular system.

Onion has also been used for centuries to treat coughs, colds and asthma as well as angina, bacterial infections, and breathing problems, while The World Health Organization recommends the use of onions for the treatment of poor appetite and to prevent arteriosclerosis.

Spices

While many people associate spices with the strong flavours of Indian food, they forget that like all foodstuffs they can provide important nutritional value.

For example both Ginger and turmeric appear to have an anti-inflammatory effect making them suitable for the treatment of arthritis. Unsurprisingly ginger does contain chemicals similar to those found in conventional anti-inflammatory medications, although it also acts to thin the blood, while turmeric seems to suppress the chemicals responsible for causing inflammation.

Cinnamon has also been identified as being important in the inflammatory response and a small amount taken every day will help lower the risk of factors leading to type 2 diabetes and heart disease by as much as 10 to 30 percent, although the jury is still out on cinnamon's anti-bacterial properties.

As well as its anti-inflammatory properties, one component of ginger, known as gingerol, has been shown to reduce the effects of nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness as well as possessing cancer-fighting attributes.

And cayenne pepper, responsible for much of the heat of a curry, has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties too - it seems to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and may be useful as an analgesic too.

Find out more information on Indian food as well as mouth watering chicken curry recipes.

Natural Remedies for Skin Pigmentation

Do you have dark patches on your skin, especially on your face? That dark pigmentation is a result of extra melanin in the body. Too much sun exposure can trigger the problem, but so can other common causes, such as pregnancy or Addison’s disease. Often home remedies will be enough to do the trick. However, deeper or darker pigmentation might require over the counter medications, prescription medications or even medical intervention in order to help even out your skin tone.

Though the home remedies listed here can help reduce or eliminate pigmentation, always consult a doctor before using these if the pigmentation is the result of pregnancy – you never want to try any remedies while pregnant without first making sure they are safe for your baby.

1. Aloe Vera

The pure gel of aloe vera has been used for thousands of years to cure hundreds of ailments. Create a mask made of pure aloe vera, seaweed and raw honey. Mix it, allow it to settle for 10 minutes and thenapply to the pigmentation. Rinse it away with lukewarm water. This treatment for pigmentation will soften the skin and encourage old skin cells to slough away, leading to new skin growth.

2. Lemon and Potato Juice

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which helps to bleach the skin. Potatoes contain catecholase, which helps lighten the skin as well. Mixing both juices and applying them to the pigmentation can help treat the problem.

3. Lemon, Honey, Milk and Orange Peel

The fruit peels contain citric acid, and the honey and milk help bind the peels into a paste that soothes and softens your skin. Simply make a powder of dried orange peel, add some lemon juice and milk, and enough honey to create the proper consistency for a mask. Leave it on the spots for about 15 minutes, then wash away.

4. Fuller’s Earth, Papaya and Vitamin E

This homemade facial mask, applied twice a week, can help reduce the appearance of pigmentation. Mix one half cup of Fuller’s earth with 1 tablespoon of blended papaya. Then pop two Vitamin E capsules – more if you need a thinner consistency – and mix them into the earth and papaya. Leave the mixture on the face for several minutes.

5. Sandalwood Powder

Mix this powerful powder with something that has natural acids, such as tomato juice or cucumber juice. Apply as a mask on a daily basis to reduce the discoloration.

6. Honey and Almond

Blend a tablespoon of almond powder with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of lemon. Make sure you use organic ingredients if at all possible. Apply the mask for your face for 15 minutes, when rinse it away with lukewarm water.

7. Cucumber and Mint

This delightfully cooling mask can help treat pigmentation. Mix six leaves of fresh mint with one raw egg white that has been beaten until frothy. Then crush half of a cucumber until it is a fine paste. Mix it with the mint and the egg, blend it well, then put the mask on your face for 15 minutes. Wash it away with lukewarm water.

8. The Right Diet

Remember, you really are what you eat, so make sure to eat the right foods to treat pigmentation. Anything that is rich in Vitamin E, such as fruits and veggies, can work wonders for reducing the pigmentation from the inside out.