Herbal Benefits and Preparation of Ampalaya (Momordica Charantia)

Ampalaya (Bitter Melon) Momordica Charantiais a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown for its edible fruit, which is among the most bitter of all vegetables. English names for the plant and its fruit include bitter melon or bitter gourd (Chinese: pinyin: kgu?), karaila (from Urdu) & Hindi, hanzal (from Arabic), ampalaya (from Tagalog).Ampalaya is prepared into various dishes in the Philippines, a very popular dish is pinakbet which consists mainly of bitter melons, eggplant, okra, string beans, tomatoes, lima beans, and other various regional vegetables stewed with a little bagoong-based stock.

Ampalaya, until recently has been proven to be an effective herbal medicine for many aliments. Most significant of which is for Diabetes. The Philippine variety has proven to be most potent. Ampalaya contains a mixture of flavanoids and alkaloids make the Pancreas produce more insulin that controls the blood sugar in diabetics. Aside from Ampalaya's medicinal value, it is good source of vitamins A, B and C, iron, folic acid, phosphorous and calcium.

Like most bitter-tasting foods, bitter melon stimulates digestion and can be helpful to people with sluggish digestion, dyspepsia, and constipation.

Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya:

• Good for rheumatism and gout

• And diseases of the spleen and liver

• Aids in lowering blood sugar levels

• Helps in lowering blood pressure

• Relives headaches

• Disinfects and heals wounds & burns

• Can be used as a cough & fever remedy

• Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea

• Helps prevent some types of cancer

• Enhances immune system to fight infection

• Is an antioxidant, parasiticide, antibacterial & antipyretic

• In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and abortifacient.

Preparation of Ampalaya:

• For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice the Ampalaya leaves and drink a spoonful every day.

• For other ailments, the fruit and leaves can both be juiced and taken orally.

• For headaches wounds, burns and skin diseases, apply warmed leaves to afflicted area.

Source: wikipedia, herbal-medicine.philsite.net, photo courtesy of www.gotouring.com