Bitter Melon

The bitter melon or bitter gourd is the bitterest of all vegetables known to humankind, but it is also the most medicinally effective. Though bitter, its fruit is eaten as a vegetable and is used to make several mouthwatering dishes especially in India. In India, the bitter gourd is known as the karela. Its biological name is Momordica charantia.

The bitter melon or bitter gourd is the bitterest of all vegetables known to humankind, but it is also the most medicinally effective. Though bitter, its fruit is eaten as a vegetable and is used to make several mouthwatering dishes especially in India. In India, the bitter gourd is known as the karela. Its biological name is Momordica charantia.

Bitter melon acts as a mediator between the body's cells and insulin that has already been produced by the pancreas, blocking the formation of glucose in the bloodstream and breaking down the barrier that prevents cells from using their own natural insulin.

Bitter Melon is reported to help in the treatment of diabetes and psoriasis. It has also been thought that Bitter Melon may help in the treatment of HIV, but the evidence thus far is too weak to even consider. The ripe fruit of Bitter Melon has been suggested to exhibit some remarkable anti-cancer effects, but there is absolutely no evidence that it can treat cancer.

The blood lowering action of the fresh juice of the unripe Bitter Melon has been confirmed in scientific studies in animals and humans. At least three different groups of constituents in Bitter Melon have been reported to have hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) or other actions of potential benefit in diabetes mellitus. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. It is still unclear which of these is most effective or if all three work together.

The effect of the bitter melon leaves lowering blood sugar level among diabetics is evident regardless of how it is prepared - boiled then eaten, in the form of tea, capsule or tablet. But diabetics should be cautioned about replacing their proprietary medicines with bitter melon teas, capsules or tablets. So far, studies were done only on a very limited number of human subjects so bitter melon and diabetes cannot be labeled conclusive.

Taking bitter melon juice also helps in the treatment of constipation. Constipation is mainly caused due to faulty eating habits and unhealthy dietary practices. Bitter melon not only relives from the indigestive condition but also helps in combating the constipation. It improves peristaltic movements of gastro intestinal tract and also improves the absorption in the intestines.

It is important that diabetics understand that eating bitter melon or drinking bitter melon tea is not an appropriate substitute for insulin and when using dietary supplements that contain bitter melon extract, blood sugar levels should be closely monitored. It is also important to note that research relating to bitter melon in diabetes treatment focuses on type II or non-insulin dependent diabetes.

The fruits and leaves of bitter melon contain two most important alkaloids; one of them is momordicine. The plant is said to have glucoside, a saponin-like substance, some resin that is not so tasty and some aromatic volatile oils and mucilage -they all possess natural anti-diabetic properties. The seeds of bitter melon contain an alkaloid and contain natural anthelmintic properties. They also contain urease.

Bitter melon or karela is rich in iron. Bitter melon or karela has two times the beta carotene of broccoli, two times the calcium of spinach, two times the potassium of bananas, and contains vitamins C or ascorbic acid and vitamin B1 or 1thiamine, phosphorus and good nutritional fiber.

Read about herbal treatment for diabetes . Also read about herbal cure for diabetes and bittermelon