Herb to Body - Bitter Melon Powder

herbBitter melon powder, derived from the bitter melon plant (Momordica charantia), offers potential health benefits, including blood sugar control, weight management, antioxidants for cell protection, digestive support, immune system strengthening, skin health, anti-inflammatory effects, and liver support.*

Constituents : Bitter melon contains a fixed oil, an insulin-like peptide, cucurbitacins, glycosides (mormordin and charantin), and an alkaloid (mormordicine). The peptide is known to lower sugar levels in the blood and urine.

History & Folklore : Bitter melon is traditionally taken in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean to treat the symptoms of diabetes.

Medicinal Actions & Uses : The unripe fruit is predominantly utilized for managing late-onset diabetes, whereas the ripe fruit functions as a stomach tonic and promotes menstruation. In Turkey, it is applied for the treatment of ulcers. In the West Indies, the fruit is widely employed to address concerns such as worms, urinary stones, and fever. Its juice is ingested as a purgative and suggested for relieving colic. 

Infusing the leaves is a common practice to tackle liver problems and colitis, and it can also be applied topically for certain skin conditions. Additionally, the seed oil is employed to aid in the healing of wounds.

In moderation, bitter melon powder is safe for most people. However, large doses or long-term use may cause nausea and diarrhea. You should avoid this herb if you take insulin or diabetes medications, Compounds in bitter melon are known to increase the concentration and toxicity of P-gp substrate drugs and inhibit the metabolism of CYP450 substrate drugs. Check with your physician before using this herb if you are pregnant or nursing, or if you have a chronic disorder or take medications.

*These statements and the herbal and food products offered here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician before implementing any new diet, exercise, and dietary supplement programs, especially if you have preexisting medical conditions or are taking prescribed medications.