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Bitter Melon
Ku Gua
Momordica charantia fruit
| Common Name:
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Bitter
Melon
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| Botanical Name:
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Momordica
charantia fruit
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| Pin Yin Name:
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Ku Gua Gan
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| Origin
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China
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| 25401P |
Bitter Melon powder
form |
Plum
Flower |
pound |
$19.99 |
 |
| 25401 |
Bitter Melon
Sliced |
Plum Flower |
pound |
$19.99 |
 |
Bitter melon is found in many Asian grocery stores. It is also sold in liquid extract and capsule form.[1] Bitter melon is rich in iron, and has twice the beta carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, twice the potassium of bananas, and contains vitamins B and C. Its bitterness comes from the high concentration of quinine.[2] Bitter Melon is cultivated in tropical areas, where the climatic condition is warm and humid. It is a green in color having a shape of a cucumber having gourd-like bumps all over its surface.[3]
Bitter melon is widely grown in Asia, and Asian immigrants in North America continue to enjoy its bitter taste in their native cuisines. In Asian restaurants in North America, however, it is not commonly found on the menu.[4] Bitter melon is used both as a medicine and as a food. It is often added to dishes, for all parts of the plant, as its name suggests, taste very bitter and add an astringent or sour quality to foods.[5] Bitter melon is considered one of the “original medicines” in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine disciplines, wherein it often is included in blood sugar formulations. Our bitter melon products are unique in that they include both bitter melon fruit (extract) and wildcrafted bitter melon leaf (most bitter melon products contain only the fruit).[6]
Bitter Melon is currently 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 not conclusive.[7] Bitter melon is traditionally regarded by Asians , as well as Panamanians and Colombians , as useful for preventing and treating malaria . Laboratory studies have confirmed that various species of bitter melon have anti-malarial activity, though human studies have not yet been published [3] .[8] Bitter Melon is a member of the gourd family, and a relative of squash, watermelon, muskmelon, and cucumber. The tropical vine is a tender perennial.[9]
Bitter melon is normally grown as an annual crop, but can perform as a perennial in areas with mild winters. [13] Bitter melon is a tropical member of the cucurbit family, grown in Asia as a source of food. The intensely bitter flavor of bitter melon is a popular addition to the cuisine of many Asian nations, ranging from India to the Philippines, although it has not caught on in the West.[14] Bitter melon is also a medicinal plant used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for various conditions, including blood sugar control. In the Philippines, bitter melon is known as Ampalaya, and widely used and advertised for its blood sugar lowering benefits.[15]
Bitter melon is used mostly as a vegetable. It is incorporated in the daily diet.[16] Bitter melon is also used often in Okinawan
cuisine. In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, it is popularly seen as a "plant-insulin" and is thus highly recommended for diabetics.[17] Bitter melon is cooked with spices and served with a side of slightly sweetened yogurt in Indian cooking. In other Asian dishes it's steamed, or used in soups or stir fries.[18]
Bitter Melon is a vegetable that Americans don't eat a lot of.
Bitter melon is commonly stuffed, curried or pickled. It can also be used in stir-fry’s and soups and may be steamed.[20]
[1] http://www.mail-archive.com/nivia@yahoogroups.com/msg03745.html
[2] http://nepatica.blogspot.com/2007/11/how-bitter-melon-can-lower-blood-sugar.html
[3] http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/bitter-melon-201204.html
[4] http://www.jcu.edu/bible/cba/fhs/archive/2006ngan.doc
[5] http://www.healthline.com/galecontent/bitter-melon
[6] http://www.astral-natural.com/bitter.htm
[7] http://www.viable-herbal.com/singles/herbs/s124.htm
[8] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bitter_melon
[9] http://bittermelon.org/learn/bittermelonquickreference
[13] http://www.island.wsu.edu/crops/bitterme.htm
[14] http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-bitter-melon.htm
[15] http://www.raysahelian.com/bittermelon.html
[16] http://ezinearticles.com/?bitter-melon-natural-remedies-for-diabetes&id=488230
[17] http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/ampalaya
[18] http://www.healthcastle.com/forum/lofiversion/index.php/t805.html
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Please note: Definitions of
the following forms which are products are sold in.
| Powdered Concentrates |
5:1 Ratio of an herb in
Powder form. 100 gram container size.(3.5 oz)
This has been processed, and usually has dextrin added. |
| Powdered Herb |
This is the herb, root,
berry, twig, or any form of the herb, which has been Powdered into a
fine mesh which usually can be put into capsules. Most of the Powders herbs are in a 1 pound size, unless otherwise
noted. |
| Cut and Sift |
This the herb, root,
berry, twig, or any form of herb cut into manageable pieces. In
general about 1/4 thick. Size of herbs are 1 pound containers |
| Whole |
In very rare occasion
herbs are whole, for example the Reishi Mushroom,
Noto Ginseng, Mandrake, and Marigolds. Size of herbs are 1 pound
containers. If concerned please call. |
| Teapills |
These are small pills
which have already been formulated and made into small pills.
Usually the size of small peas. The teapills are swallowed whole.
The formula is usually based on Ancient Chinese Medicine. |
| Capsules |
Are Gelatin Capsules,
unless noted as vegetarian capsules. Please see each individual
product for further information |
| Tablets |
Are a hard tablet ranging
in various sizes. Please see each individual product for further
information |
| Extracts |
An extract is produced by adding alcohol to
an herb and letting the medium activate the components
of the herbs, as well as to preserve the herbs |
| Loose Leaf |
The herb is not in a teabag. It is
loose in the packaging. Sizes of the leaf vary from 1/4 inch
to 1 inch depending on herb and brand. |
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1st Chinese Herbs
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Please consult your local qualified herbalist or a reliable reference manuals for traditional
indications and functions of these herbs, as well as dosage and
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herbs as medicines.
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