Bitter Melon and Its Uses

Bittermelon or scientifically known as Momordica charantia is a kind of vine that widely grown to tropical and subtropical countries and a member of cucurbit family. It is also called as bitter gourd, balsam pear, ku gua, ampalaya, balsamino and is considered the most bitter fruit.

The plant comes in different shapes and sizes. Usually, it has a wart looking outer skin, is oblong in shape and green in color if unripe. The inside layer is surrounded by pith and commonly large flat seeds. It turns yellowish and more bitter if it has started to ripen. The fruit becomes too bitter, orange in color and already soggy if it is fully ripe. The plant is can be eaten raw or cooked with other vegetables and it can be drank as a tea.

The awareness of the medicinal use of bitter melon is significantly increasing but it has been already used as a traditional medicine for some Asian countries for such a long time. It stimulates digestion because of the bitter properties called momordicin. It helps to relieve the person with slow digestion, constipation and dyspepsia but it worsens the ulcer and produces heartburns as contraindication.

Laboratory studies shows that the fruit has anti-malarial effect and has a compound use to treat HIV. And it also helps to balance the harmful effect of anti-HIV drugs. But it is very necessary to have a thorough research of this before further recommendation is done.

The plant is very much likely to be used as an aid to prevent diabetes. A study shows that bitter melon boosts insulin sensitivity. It contains lectin that has an insulin-like action. In the Philippines, the bitter melon also known as amplaya, is widely used as anti-diabetes medicine. As approved by the Philippines Department of Health, bitter melon is said to aid lower blood sugar level. it is being transformed and being sold in the market and exported in other countries as a food supplement and herbal tea.

One of the most promising medicinal aids of bitter melon is the act as an immunomodulator. Some findings suggested that bitter melon decreases the production of cancer cells and it has a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect. Clinical studies show that the fruit can develop the immune cell function of the person with a cancer. But more studies and research that is need to indulge to verify this theory. But if it is proven to treat cancer it is also more possible that it can also treat HIV.

Also read  Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOS Using Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon

Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOS Using Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon - See more at: https://www.moolikaayurveda.com/#sthash.jNZzsou0.dpuf

Ayurvedic Treatment for PCOS Using Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon - See more at: https://www.moolikaayurveda.com/#sthash.jNZzsou0.dpuf

By Gerald Salazar