Bitter Gourd, a monoecious climber, grows throughout India up to an altitude of 1,500 m. It is characterized by slender stem; sub-orbicular, hairy leaves; and yellow flowers. The fruits are pendulous, fusiform, beaked and ribbed with numerous tubercles. The seeds (brownish in colour) are compressed and embedded in red pulp.
The fruits are used as a folk medicine for diabetes mellitus. It shows antilipolytic and lipogenic activities. Karavella, Kathilla, and Sushavi are its popular names.
