Momordica charantia has a number of purported uses including cancer prevention, treatment of diabetes, fever, HIV and AIDS, and infections. While it has shown some potential clinical activity in laboratory experiments, "further studies are required to recommend its use".
Momordica (momordica charantia, Indian cucumber, goya, bitter gourd, mad melon, balsam pear, mad cucumber, Indian pomegranate) is an annual climbing vine of the pumpkin family up to 3.5 m high. The leaves of the plant are very similar to grape. The flowers are medium sized, yellow, fragrant, located in the axils of the leaves. The fruits resemble cucumbers in appearance, and ripe pumpkin with a bitter hue to taste. Each length is up to 23 cm, average weight is 150-200 g. When ripe, the fruits turn from green to bright orange and look very impressive against the background of greenery.
Momordica charantia has a number of purported uses including cancer prevention, treatment of diabetes, fever, HIV and AIDS, and infections. While it has shown some potential clinical activity in laboratory experiments, "further studies are required to recommend its use".
It was one of the products I worked on for my doctorate, way back in 1990. M. Charantia plant parts are used to treat different health issues. It has following properties :
1.Anti- diabetic ,
2. Anthelmintic for GIT infections
3. Anti-bacterial in skin diseases and
4. Mild laxative
Generally we use its green tender fruits as the popular vegetable in India. Juice of the fruits and whole plant is taken as an anti-diabetic supportive drug and in rejuvinating therapy / weight loss therapy. Generally it is combined with other herbs, when used as the medicine.