Bitter melon, Herbal Medicine Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects

Bitter melon Herbal Medicine

Bitter Melon Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects

Medical Uses of Bitter melon includes treatment of diabetes, coughs, skin burns and scalds...(more)

Bitter melon Herbal Medicine as one of the herbal medicine endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health for the treatment of...(more)

Bitter Melon preparation and Availabilty, Where to buy.

What is Bitter melon

Scientific Name : Momordica Charantia

bitter melon fruit Common Names:

Bitter melon, Ampalaya, papailla, melao de sao caetano, bittergourd, sorosi, a'jayib al maasi, assorossie, balsam apple, balsam pear, chin li chih, ejinrin gule khandan, fu-kua, karela,
k'u kua kurela, kor-kuey, ku gua, lai p'u t'ao, pava-aki, salsamino, sorci, sorossi, sorossie, sorossies, pare, peria laut, peria

Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia) is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in the Amazon, Carribean, South east Asia such as Philippines, India and Malaysia for its edible fruit. Bitter melon also known as bitter gourd as the name implies has a bitter taste due to the presence of momordicin, and is believed to be among the most bitter of all vegetables.

Bitter melon is a climbing vine that grows up to 5m, with tendrils up to 20cm. long. Amplaya leaves are heart-shaped, 5-10 cm across, cut into 5-7 lobes. Each Bitter Melon plant bears separate yellow male and female flowers. Bitter melon bears fleshy green fruit, oblong shaped with pointed ends, ribbed and wrinkled, bursting when mature to release seeds. Bitter melon seeds are flat with ruminated margins.

Bitter melon, herbal medicine

Bitter melon fruit Bitter melon or it's scientific name, Momordica charantia has been a folkloric cure for generations but has now been proven to be an effective herbal medicine for many aliments.

The Philippine Department of Health has endorsed Bitter melon (Momordica Charantia) as an alternative herbal medicine for liver problems. Research about Bitter melon has shown that Bitter melon increases the production of beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the body’s ability to produce insulin, that controls the blood sugar for diabetics.

bitter melon seeds Bitter melon leaves and fruits are excellent sources of Vitamin B, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Bitter melon is also rich in beta carotene.

Bitter melon or Bitter gourd is used as herbal medicine for diabetes, HIV, coughs, skin diseases, sterility in women, parasiticide, antipyretic and as purgative among others.

Bitter melon, Medical Uses and Health Benefits

Bitter Melon for Diabetes Treatment . Clinical Studies for Bitter melon demonstrated hypoglycemic properties (blood sugar lowering) or other actions of potential benefit against diabetes mellitus.
The hypoglycemic chemicals found in Bitter melon include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantins, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. The hypoglycemic effect is more pronounced in the fruit of bitter melon where these chemicals are in greater abundance. Bitter melon fruit has also shown the ability to enhance cells’ uptake of glucose, to promote insulin release, and potentiate the effect of insulin. In other in vivo studies, bitter melon fruit and/or seed has been shown to reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides in both the presence and absence of dietary cholesterol. In one study, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were returned to normal after 10 weeks of treatment

Bitter melon for Hemorrhoids Treatment. Powdered leaves and root decoction of Bitter melon are applied to hemorrhoids as astringent.

Bitter melon used to treat Stomach Problems. Bitter melon leaf juice is used to expel intestinal parasites, treat dysentery, diarrhea, and chronic colitis. Grounded bitter melon seeds may also be used. Taken in a spoonfull 3x a day until ailment subsides.

Bitter melon used to treat Cough. Bitter melon leaf juice is used for mild coughs for children. Administered in a teaspoon 3x a day.

Bitter melon for Burns, Scalds and Wounds. Pounded Bitter melon seeds or leaf are used to treat burns, scalds and wounds.

Bitter melon has Anti-Cancer properties , Two compounds extracted from Bitter melon, α-eleostearic acid (from Bitter melon seeds) and dihydroxy-α-eleostearic acid (from the Bitter melon fruit) have been found to induce apoptosis of leukemia cells in vitro. Diets containing 0.01% Bitter melon oil (0.006% as α-eleostearic acid) were found to prevent azoxymethane-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats.

Other acclaimed uses are for the treatment of HIV, treatment of fever and headaches, treatment of rheumatism and gout, disease of the spleen and liver.

Side Effects : In large dozes, pure Bitter melon juice can be a purgative and may cause pregnancy abortion.

Bitter melon Preparation and Availability

Bitter Melon for Cooking. Bitter melon fruits and leaves are usually available in Asian or Chinese markets. They can be bought fresh by the kilo, per piece or by bundles. Bitter melon are cooled mixed with meat and other vegetables. To lessen the bitterness of the bitter melon, sliced Bitter melon are washed or even boiled in water with salt..

Powdered Bitter melon, Powdered leaves and root decoction of Bitter melon are applied to hemorrhoids as astringent. Wash the bitter melon eaves and the with fresh water. Pound to powder. You can use carrier oils to mix with the powder for application.

Bitter Melon Juice. Bitter melon leaves and fruit (without the seeds) are pounded and juiced to extract concentrated juice. Bitter melon juice is then added to other pleasant tasting juice for drinking

Bitter Melon Capsules, Bitter melon, as its name implies, is quite bitter, which is why many often prefer to take capsules and tablets. Ready-made bitter melon extracts are available in capsules and tablets in many Asian markets, herb shops, and in the supplement department of health food stores.

Look for standardized extracts (to 10% charantin for instance) or concentrated whole fruit extracts (4:1 or 5:1) to help insure sufficient activity. If you are in US, Canada or UK, where Asian or Chinese health shops may not be available. Amazon.com provides an alternative. look for products that have favorable customers reviews such as Bitter Melon GOLD It is naturally extracted without the use of toxic solvents, harsh chemicals or gases to ensure all the active and synergistic constituents are present in the balanced ratio nature intended. While this is a popular brand, stocks are usually low and if you find there is stock, order the soonest time.