Bitter melon, also called bitter gourd or karela, is a tropical vine in the cucumber family. Its knobbly green fruit is widely used as both food and medicine.

• Used as a natural remedy for people with type 2 diabetes; fruit and seeds contain compounds (charantin, vicine, polypeptide-p) thought to help lower glucose.
• Believed to stimulate appetite, aid digestion, and relieve mild constipation.
• Decoctions or poultices applied to rashes, acne, and wounds.