Bitter Melon

Bitter Melon is a tropical Fruit that resembles a bumpy cucumber in physical appearance and commonly sold in the markets of the Philippines and China.

Botanical Name

 Momordica charantia

 The Bitter Melon is from the Cucumber (Cucurbitaceae) family.

 Bitter Melon is a relative of the Chinese Cucumber (Tricosanthes kirilowii).

Part Used

 Fruit

The health benefits of Bitter Melons only occur when Bitter Melon is used in its unripened state.

Digetive System

 Bitter Melon may help to prevent Ulcers - Duodenal.  ^[1]

 Bitter Melon may help to prevent/treat Ulcers - Gastric.  ^[2]

Immune System

 Bitter Melon may inhibit the progression of some forms of Cancer (due to MAP-30):  ^[3]

 Bitter Melon may help to prevent Cancer - Breast.  ^[4]

 Bitter Melon may help to prevent Cancer - Colon.  ^[5]

 Bitter Melon may be beneficial for the treatment of Leukemia:  ^[6]

 Bitter Melon may inhibit several Viruses (due to the MAP-30 and Polypeptide-P content of Bitter Melon):

 Bitter Melon may be beneficial for the treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS):   Bitter Melon may increase the Helper T-Lymphocyte counts of AIDS patients.
 Bitter Melon may inhibit the initial HIV infection and may inhibit the replication of HIV and cell to cell infection (due to the Alpha-Momorcharin, Beta-Momorcharin and MAP-30 content of Bitter Melon).