Botanical name : Momordica charantia Linn.
Family : Cucurbitaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Karavella
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa    : Tikta, Katu, Kashaya
Guna   : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya   : Anushnaseeta
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English  : Bitter guard
Hindi  : Karela
Malayalam : Pavakka, Paval, Kaippakka, Kaipa
Distribution – Cultivated throughout India
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A much branched annual climber. Leaves simple, deeply lobed, cordate, orbicular and membranous. Tendrils single, slender and elongate. Flowers unisexual, yellow in long peduncles. Fruits 3 valved capsules, with numeruous trinagular tubercles. Seeds many with irregular surfaces.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha diabetes, skin disease, constipation, worm infestation, burning sensation, wound, ulcers, inflammation and general debility. 
Useful part : Whole plant.