BOTANICAL NAME - Momordica Charantia, ORIGIN - India, SOURCE - Seeds The seeds of the bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) plant are used to make bitter gourd oil, sometimes referred to as karela seed oil. The vegetable known as the bitter gourd is popular for both its distinctly bitter flavor and possible health advantages. Compared to other plant-based oils, bitter gourd oil is less popular and less widely utilized, yet it has been employed in some types of cooking.