Tropical Plant Database File for: Bitter Melon Family: Cucurbitaceae. Genus: Momordica. The results of these experiments clearly demonstrated the sour-bitter confusion with 13.3% of all 1629 responses for sour and bitter stimuli involving citric acid being called bitter and 7.7% of the responses involving quinine. Intro: Growing Gourds (Ridge Gourd, Bitter Gourd and Snake Gourd) It is spring. Time for garden enthusiasts like me to wake up and prepare the backyard to plant our own vegetables. Even people with very little space use. Bitter gourd, also called bitter melon, is a tropical plant that has a history of use as an herbal remedy. Tea is made from the stems and leaves of the. Species: charantia. Synonyms: Momordica chinensis, M. It's a slender, climbing annual vine with long- stalked leaves and yellow, solitary male and female flowers borne in the leaf axils. The fruit looks like a warty gourd, usually oblong and resembling a small cucumber. The young fruit is emerald green, turning to orange- yellow when ripe. At maturity, the fruit splits into three irregular valves that curl backwards and release numerous reddish- brown or white seeds encased in scarlet arils. The Latin name Momordica means . All parts of the plant, including the fruit, taste very bitter. TRIBAL AND HERBAL MEDICINE USESIn the Amazon, local people and indigenous tribes grow bitter melon in their gardens for food and medicine. They add the fruit and/or leaves to beans and soup for a bitter or sour flavor; parboiling it first with a dash of salt may remove some of the bitter taste. Medicinally, the plant has a long history of use by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. A leaf tea is used for diabetes, to expel intestinal gas, to promote menstruation, and as an antiviral for measles, hepatitis, and feverish conditions. In Brazilian herbal medicine, bitter melon is used for tumors, wounds, rheumatism, malaria, vaginal discharge, inflammation, menstrual problems, diabetes, colic, fevers, worms. It is also used to induce abortions and as an aphrodisiac. In Mexico, the entire plant is used for diabetes and dysentery; the root is a reputed aphrodisiac. In Peruvian herbal medicine, the leaf or aerial parts of the plant are used to treat measles, malaria, and all types of inflammation. In Nicaragua, the leaf is commonly used for stomach pain, diabetes, fevers, colds, coughs, headaches, malaria, skin complaints, menstrual disorders, aches and pains, hypertension, infections, and as an aid in childbirth. PLANT CHEMICALS 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. A chemical analog of these bitter melon proteins has been developed, patented, and named . 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. Alkaloids, charantin, charine, cryptoxanthin, cucurbitins, cucurbitacins, cucurbitanes, cycloartenols, diosgenin, elaeostearic acids, erythrodiol, galacturonic acids, gentisic acid, goyaglycosides, goyasaponins, guanylate cyclase inhibitors, gypsogenin, hydroxytryptamines, karounidiols, lanosterol, lauric acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, momorcharasides, momorcharins, momordenol, momordicilin, momordicins, momordicinin, momordicosides, momordin, multiflorenol, myristic acid, nerolidol, oleanolic acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid, pentadecans, peptides, petroselinic acid, polypeptides, proteins, ribosome- inactivating proteins, rosmarinic acid, rubixanthin, spinasterol, steroidal glycosides, stigmasta- diols, stigmasterol, taraxerol, trehalose, trypsin inhibitors, uracil, vacine, v- insulin, verbascoside, vicine, zeatin, zeatin riboside, zeaxanthin, and zeinoxanthin are all found in bitter melon. BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND CLINICAL RESEARCHTo date, close to 1. 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 1. 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. This wreath was built on a 24-inch double-wire wreath form. Finished, it measures more than 30 inches across. To determine the size of the wreath form you'll need, measure the width of your door and subtract six inches. Rapini can be bitter and inaccessible, but the Italians have some tricks for cooking it up tender and sweet. Information about Indian Bitter Melon including applications, recipes, nutritional value, taste, seasons, availability, storage, restaurants, cooking, geography and history. 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. 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. Many in vivo clinical studies have demonstrated the relatively low toxicity of all parts of the bitter melon plant when ingested orally. However, toxicity and even death in laboratory animals has been reported when extracts are injected intravenously. Other studies have shown extracts of the fruit and leaf (ingested orally) to be safe during pregnancy. The seeds, however, have demonstrated the ability to induce abortions in rats and mice, and the root has been documented as a uterine stimulant in animals. The fruit and leaf of bitter melon have demonstrated an in vivo antifertility effect in female animals; and in male animals, to affect the production of sperm negatively. CURRENT PRACTICAL USESOver the years scientists have verified many of the traditional uses of this bitter plant that continues to be an important natural remedy in herbal medicine systems. Bitter melon capsules and tinctures are becoming more widely available in the United States and are employed by natural health practitioners for diabetes, viruses, colds and flu, cancer and tumors, high cholesterol, and psoriasis. Traditional Preparation: 1 cup of a standard leaf or whole herb decoction is taken one or two times daily, or 1- 3 ml of a 4: 1 tincture is taken twice daily. Powdered leaf in tablets or capsules - 1 to 2 g can be substituted, if desired. 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. Contraindications: Bitter melon traditionally has been used as an abortive and has. 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. 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 2. A partial listing of the published research on bitter melon is shown below. Antimicrobial & Antiparasitic Actions: Zhu, F., et al. Jul; 1. 1(5): 4. 17- 3. Apr; 7. 5(3): M1. Dec; 9(9): 1. 08. Apr; 1. 2(3): 2. 99- 3. Jan; 9. 6(3): 5. 63. Jiratchariyakul, W., et al. Jun; 6. 7(4): 3. 50- 3. Dec; 1. 03(1. 2): 2. Nov 1; 3. 24(1): 6. Aug; 4. 4(8): 1. 35. Apr 1. 8; 6. 0(1. Mar; 5. 0(3- 4): 8. Apr; 1. 5(4): 3. 25- 3. Apr; 1. 7(4): 3. 77- 8. Fang, E., et al. 2. Dec; 4(1. 2): 2. 12. Jul; 1. 1(5): 4. 17- 3. Jul 2. 8; 3. 06(2): 1. Jul; 6. 5(3- 4): 6. Oct; 1. 01(1. 0): 2. Sep; 6. 5(3): 2. 25- 3. Mar 1; 7. 0(5): 1. Aug 1. 5; 1. 25(4): 7. Nov; 5. 6(2. 2): 1. May; 3. 9(1): 7. 9- 8. Mar; 1. 3(1. 1): 1. Nov; 3. 37(3): 8. Aug; 7. 3(2): 1. 13- 9. May- Jun; 2. 2(3): 1. Jan- Feb; 1. 8(1. A): 1. 19- 2. 4. 1. Nov; 6. 8(3): 3. 49- 5. Feb; 6. 5(4): 4. 85- 9. Apr; 1. 26(2): 2. Nov; 5. 8(5): 5. 58- 6. Part 2.” Prep Biochem. Enzyme inhibition and cytotoxicity of plant extracts.” Enzyme. Aug 1. 5; 8: CD0. Aug 1. 0; 1. 7(8): 9. Apr 1; 4(1): 5. 0- 6. Feb; 1. 5(2): 1. 01- 7. Saha, S., et al. 2. Sep 2. 8; 1. 08(6): 9. Keller, A., et al. Dec 1. 5; 1. 9(1): 3. Nov- Dec; 6. 8(6): 9. Jan; 1. 28(1- 2): 5. Jul; 1. 1(5): 4. 17- 3. Feb; 2. 5(4): 3. 53- 6. Nov; 2. 2(1. 1): 1. Mar 2. 4; 1. 34(2): 4. Apr; 1. 3(4): 2. 89- 3. Jan- Feb; 1. 4(1- 2): 8. Jan 2. 7; 1. 33(2): 7. Aug; 4. 7(4): 2. 27- 3. Jun; 1. 3(3): 5. 35- 4. Dec; 1. 04(1. 1): 1. Nov- Dec; 2(5): 2. Apr; 1. 60(8): 2. Jul- Aug; 1. 60(4): 2. May 4; 1. 23(1) : 8. May; 1. 6(5): 4. 01- 5. Feb; 1. 77(3): 2. Aug; 5. 6(1. 6): 6. Aug; 8. 1(2): 1. 34- 4. Dec; 5. 3(6): 4. 82- 8. Jan 1. 7; 1. 15(2): 2. Suppl 1: 2. 49- 5. May; 1. 12(1): 7. Omar, S., et al. 2. Sep- Oct; 1. 7(5): 2. Mar; 1. 10(2): 2. Nov; 1. 3(6): 7. 63- 7. Pt 1): 3. 31- 7. 2. Nov; 1. 08(2): 2. Jun; 2. 9(6): 1. 12. Jun; 2. 86(1- 2) : 5. Apr; 1. 05(1- 2): 1. May; 3. 4(3): 3. 61- 3. Nov 1. 6. Sathishsekar, D., et al. Sep; 6. 0(3): 1. 09- 1. May; 4. 7(5): 4. 95- 5. Sep 2. 8; 1. 08(6): 9. Saha, S., et al. 2. Jun; 5. 1(4): 4. 83- 9. Sep; 1. 41(9): 1. Oct 1; 2. 36(1. 0): 1. Jul 1. 5; 1. 27(2): 6. Dec; 5. 8(1. 2): 1. Oct- Dec; 2. 0(4): 2. Aug; 1. 48(8): 1. Dec; 1. 02(3): 3. Aug; 5. 0(4): 2. 53- 7. Jun 2. 5; 1. 23(3): 4. Jun; 1. 6(2): 8. 5- 8. Dec 1; 1. 35(3): 9. Aug 1. 5; 6. 89(1- 3): 2. Sep 2. 8; 1. 08(6): 9. Jan 2. 7; 1. 33(2): 7. Dec; 3. 6(4): 2. 66- 7. Dec; 3. 9 Suppl: 4. RY–9. 04. Koentjoro- Soehadi, T., et al. Second National Congress of Indonesian Society of Andrology. Jamwal, K. Pharmacy 1. The information contained in this plant. This information is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose, mitigate or prevent any disease.
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