Bitter Melon

(Momordica charantia)

Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Momordica
Species: charantia
Common names: Bitter Melon, Sorosi, A'Jayib Al Maasi, Assorossie, Balsam Apple, Balsampear, Chin Li Chih, Ejinrin Gule Khandan, K'U Kua Kurela, Lai P'U T'Ao, Melao De Sao Caetano, Nd, Salsamino, Sorci, Sorossi, Sorossie, Sorossies, Pare, Peria laut, Peria, Periok
Phytochemicals: 5-Alpha-Stigmasta-7,25-dien-3-betalOL, 5-hydroxytryptamine, Alkaloids, Alpha-Elaeostearic-acid Ascorbigen, Beta-sitosterol-d-glucoside, Charantin, Citrulline, Cryptoxanthin, Elasterol, Flavochrome, Fluoride, Gaba, Galacturonic-acid, Lanosterol, Lutein, Lycopene, Momordicin, Momordicoside-F-1, Momordicoside-F-2, Momordicoside-G, Momordicoside-I, Mutachrome, Oxalate, Oxalic-acid, Pipecolic-acid, Polypeptide-p, Rubixanthin, Stigmasta-5,25-dien-3-beta-ol, Sugars, Zeaxanthin, Zeinoxanthin
Part Used: whole plant, fruit, seed

HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS

Main Actions: kills bacteria kills viruses kills cancer cells kills leukemia cells prevents tumors treats diabetes reduces blood sugar reduces blood pressure lowers body temperature lowers cholesterol

Other Actions: reduces inflammation fights free radicals enhances libido cleanses blood detoxifies expels worms balances hormones enhances immunity mildly laxative promotes milk flow

Standard Dosage: Leaves, Fruit. Decoction: 1 cup 1-2 times daily; Tincture: 1-3 ml twice daily; Capsules: 1 g twice daily

Bitter melon grows in tropical areas, including parts of the Amazon, east Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, and is cultivated throughout South America as a food and medicine. It's a slender, climbing annual vine with long-stalked leaves and yellow, solitary male and female flowers borne in the leaf axils. All parts of the plant, including the fruit, taste very bitter.

Bitter melon contains an array of biologically active plant chemicals including triterpenes, proteins, and steroids. One chemical has clinically demonstrated the ability to inhibit the enzyme guanylate cyclase that is thought to be linked to the cause of psoriasis and also necessary for the growth of leukemia and cancer cells. In addition, a protein found in bitter melon, momordin, has clinically demonstrated anticancerous activity against Hodgkin's lymphoma in animals. Other proteins in the plant, alpha- and beta-momorcharin and cucurbitacin B, have been tested for possible anticancerous effects. A chemical analog of these bitter melon proteins has been developed, patented, and named "MAP-30"; its developers reported that it was able to inhibit prostate tumor growth. Two of these proteins-alpha- and beta-momorcharin-have also been reported to inhibit HIV virus in test tube studies. In one study, HIV-infected cells treated with alpha- and beta-momorcharin showed a nearly complete loss of viral antigen while healthy cells were largely unaffected. The inventor of MAP-30 filed another patent which stated it was "useful for treating tumors and HIV infections . . . " Another clinical study showed that MAP-30's antiviral activity was also relative to the herpes virus in vitro.

In numerous studies, at least three different groups of constituents found in all parts of bitter melon have clinically demonstrated hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) properties or other actions of potential benefit against diabetes mellitus. These chemicals that lower blood sugar 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 found in greater abundance.

To date, close to 100 in vivo studies have demonstrated the blood sugar-lowering effect of this bitter fruit. The fruit has also shown the ability to enhance cells' uptake of glucose, to promote insulin release, and to potentiate the effect of insulin. In other in vivo studies, bitter melon fruit and/or seed has been shown to reduce total cholesterol. In one study, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were returned to normal after 10 weeks of treatment.

Several in vivo studies have demonstrated the antitumorous activity of the entire plant of bitter melon. In one study, a water extract blocked the growth of rat prostate carcinoma; another study reported that a hot water extract of the entire plant inhibited the development of mammary tumors in mice. Numerous in vitro studies have also demonstrated the anticancerous and antileukemic activity of bitter melon against numerous cell lines, including liver cancer, human leukemia, melanoma, and solid sarcomas.

Bitter melon, like several of its isolated plant chemicals, also has been documented with in vitro antiviral activity against numerous viruses, including Epstein-Barr, herpes, and HIV viruses. In an in vivo study, a leaf extract increased resistance to viral infections and had an immunostimulant effect in humans and animals, increasing interferon production and natural killer cell activity.

In addition to these properties, leaf extracts of bitter melon have demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Various extracts of the leaves have demonstrated in vitro antibacterial activities against E. coli, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Streptobacillus, and Streptococcus; an extract of the entire plant was shown to have antiprotozoal activity against Entamoeba histolytica. The fruit and fruit juice have demonstrated the same type of antibacterial properties and, in another study, a fruit extract demonstrated activity against the stomach ulcer-causing bacteria Helicobacter pylori.

Besides these uses documented by research, there are many others by folk medicine.
Following- up here, a brief summary of worldwide ethnomedical uses of bitter melon.

Region	Uses
Brazil	for abortions, burns, colic, constipation, dermatosis, diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, fever, flu, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, hives, itch, impotency, leprosy, leukemia, libido, liver inflammation, malaria, menstrual problems, pain, rheumatism, scabies, skin, tumor, vaginal discharge, vaginitis, worms, wounds
China	for breast cancer, diabetes, fever, halitosis, impotency, renal insufficiency, kidney problems
Cuba	for anemia, colitis, diabetes, fever, hyperglycemia, intestinal parasites, kidney stones, liver problems, menstrual problems, sterility (female), worms
Haiti	for anemia, constipation, dermatosis, eye infections, fever, liver diseases, skin problems, rhinitis, and as an appetite stimulant and insecticide
India	for abortions, birth control, constipation, diabetes, eczema, fat loss, food, fever, gout, hemorrhoids, hydrophobia, hyperglycemia, increasing milk flow, intestinal parasites, jaundice, kidney stones, leprosy, liver, menstrual disorders, pneumonia, psoriasis, rheumatism, scabies, skin, snakebite, vaginal discharge
Mexico	for bowel function, burns, diabetes, dysentery, impotency, libido, scabies, sores, worms
Malaya	for abdominal pain, asthma, burns, Celiac's disease, dermatosis, diarrhea, headache, intestinal parasites, stomachache, worms
Nicaragua	for aches, anemia, childbirth, colds, constipation, cough, diabetes, fever, headache, hypertension, infections, lung disorders, malaria, pain, pregnancy, rashes, skin problems
Panama	for colds, diabetes, fever, flu, gallbladder problems, hives, hypertension, itch, malaria, menstrual problems, and as an insecticide
Peru	for colic, constipation, contusions, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, hepatitis, inflammation, intestinal parasites, lung problems, malaria, measles, menstrual problems, skin sores, pus, wounds
Trinidad	for diabetes, dysentery, fever, hypertension, malaria, rheumatism, worms

BITTER MELON PLANT SUMMARY

Contraindications:

Bitter melon traditionally has been used as an abortive and has been documented with weak uterine stimulant activity; therefore, it is contraindicated during pregnancy. This plant has been documented to reduce fertility in both males and females and should therefore not be used by those undergoing fertility treatment or seeking pregnancy. The active chemicals in bitter melon can be transferred through breast milk; therefore, it is contraindicated in women who are breast feeding. All parts of bitter melon (especially the fruit and seed) have demonstrated in numerous in vivo studies that they lower blood sugar levels. As such, it is contraindicated in persons with hypoglycemia. Diabetics should check with their physicians before using this plant and use with caution while monitoring their blood sugar levels regularly as the dosage of insulin medications may need adjusting. Although all parts of the plant have demonstrated active antibacterial activity, none have shown activity against fungi or yeast. Long-term use of this plant may result in the die-off of friendly bacteria with resulting opportunistic overgrowth of yeast (Candida). Cycling off the use of the plant (every 21-30 days for one week) may be warranted, and adding probiotics to the diet may be beneficial if this plant is used for longer than 30 days.

Drug Interactions:

Bitter melon may potentiate insulin and anti-diabetic drugs and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Leaf/ Stem

Main Preparation Method:	leaf decoction or capsules
Main Actions (in order):	anticancerous, antiviral, antibacterial, digestive stimulant, hypoglycemic
Main Uses:	for cancer for viral infections (HIV, herpes, Epstein Barr, hepatitis, influenza, and measles) for bacterial infections (Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Salmonella) as a bitter digestive aid (for dyspepsia and sluggish digestion) for diabetes
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	antibacterial, anticancerous, anti-fertility, antileukemic, antiprotozoal, antitumorous, antiviral, hypoglycemic, immune stimulant
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiparasitic, antiseptic, bitter, carminative (expels gas), digestive stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), lactagogue (promotes milk flow), menstrual stimulator, purgative, vermifuge (expels worms), wound healer
Traditional Preparation:	Decotion: 1 cup of a standard leaf or whole herb decoction is taken one or two times daily, Tincture: 1-3 ml of a 4:1 tincture is taken twice daily. Tablets or capsules:1 to 2 g of powdered leaf twice daily.

Fruit/ Seed Fruit

Main Preparation Method:	fruit juice
Main Actions (in order):	hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), antibacterial, carminative (expels gas), bitter
Main Uses:	for diabetes for high cholesterol and triglyceride levels for H. pylori ulcers as a bitter digestive aid for intestinal gas, bloating, stomachache, and sluggish digestion for intestinal parasites
Properties/Actions Documented by Research:	abortive, contraceptive, antimicrobial, hypocholesterolemic (lowers cholesterol), hypoglycemic
Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:	antifungal, antiparasitic, antivenin, bitter, cardiotonic (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), digestive stimulant, emetic (causes vomiting), menstrual stimulator, purgative (strong laxative), vermifuge (expels worms)
Traditional Preparation:	The traditional South American remedy for diabetes is to juice 1-2 fresh bitter melon fruits and drink twice daily. For seed or fruit extracts in capsules or tinctures, follow the label instructions.

WARNINGS: Information, statements and products on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, mitigate, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The natural properties of the botanicals are only referred to their common uses among folk and herbal traditions. Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease as well. It's not meant to give any suggestion of diagnosis or disesase treatment. Please see a doctor when needed.