Bitter melon or momordica charantia as it is correctly named is a climbing vine that has green leaves and fruits that are very bitter. However, it is the bitter fruit and leaves that has been used and taken advantage of due to their medicinal properties.

Uses of bitter melon

Bitter melon has been used with positive results to treat numerous diseases including cancer, diabetes and many other infectious and potentially dangerous diseases. Since HIV and AIDS came into the spotlight, bitter melon has been used to fight these diseases, as well as being an herb widely used in Chinese medicine. The Chinese regard it as a popular form of vegetable. It is also a very popular remedy when used as an herbal tea.

The fruits and leaves of the bitter melon hold a great source of vitamins and minerals which include iron, vitamin B, calcium and phosphorous. Exactly how much of these nutritional contents are actually taken into the body’s digestive system in unknown but it is a very popular choice among those who go to the herbalist for preparations.

Along with helping several potentially serious diseases, the bitter melon is also used for less life threatening problems. It is thought to work well when used in the treatment of hemorrhoids and if the juice from the leaves is squeezed and drunk then it is thought to help with a troublesome cough. It has also been used successfully in the treatment of roundworm as well as to reduce high fevers.

Bitter melon and diabetes

People who suffer from type II diabetes have been known to benefit from the bitter melon. It is thought that it helps to reduce and normalize the blood sugar level in those suffering from this type of diabetes. Results have been scientifically proven on people who have drunk bitter melon juice over a period of time. It is thought that the substance momordicin, which gives the fruit its bitter taste, is what’s responsible for correcting the blood sugar levels.

While bitter melon has proven to be helpful in reducing the blood sugar level, it should by no means be the sole treatment for your diabetes. However, it can work alongside treatment and medication provided by your doctor to help keep your diabetes under control, people did benefit by being able to reduce the amount of the diabetic drugs they had to take while taking the bitter melon.

Bitter melon can be bought from many health food stores already mixed and is available in leaf, tea, pill or capsule form. For those who wish to grow there own it couldn’t be easier. You can either choose to grow the plant yourself from scratch or buy it from the market and prepare it yourself.

Preparing bitter melon

Just take the leaves from the plant and give them a thorough wash, then finely chop the leaves. Get the equivalent of two glasses of water and put 6 tablespoons of the finely chopped leaves into the water and boil them for 15 minutes. Allow the mix to cool down then strain the juice from the leaves, drink 1/3 of a cup of the juice 3 times a day.