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Medicinal Properties of Bitter Melon – Good for Diabetics
Junji Takano
Bitter Melon is the English name of Momordica charantia, a
climbing vine whose leaves and green fruits, although
bitter, has been used to fight cancer, diabetes and many
infectious diseases. It is also a powerful weapon against
HIV/AIDS since some reports claim that bitter melon has
substance Q. It is one of the most favorite vegetables among
the Chinese and the most popular herbal tea as well. The
fruits and leaves of bitter melon are a good source of
minerals and vitamins, such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and
Vitamin B. However, it is not known how much nutritional
contents can actually be absorbed by the body's digestive
system of the plant become some of these substances exist in
unabsorbable form.
Does bitter melon have medicinal properties?
Yes. Books and articles about bitter melon states that the
extract from the leaves or roots shrinks hemorrhoids. The
juice from the leaves is also good to prevent and lessen
cough, for fever and against roundworms. Reportedly, it is
also used to treat sterility in women and alleviate liver
problems. Likewise, bitter melon has some antimicrobial
activity and can help infected wounds.
However, none of the medicinal uses of bitter melon has been
proven scientifically, although they have not been
disproved, either. It's just that it has not been studied
enough.
Is it true that bitter melon tea and capsules are effective
in lowering blood sugar of diabetics?
There is one case where it is proven that it can lower blood
sugar levels from people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.
Results of these scientific studies that determine the
effect of drinking of bitter melon extract on blood sugar
level of Type 2 Diabetes have consistently shown that bitter
melon lowers blood sugar level. The effect on blood sugar is
due to momordicin, a substance that is also responsible for
it's bitter taste.
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. In fact, no large clinical trial
has yet been published on the preparation of Momordica
charantia (bitter melon). The manufacturers of bitter melon
teas, capsules and tablets themselves are not claiming
healing benefits for their products. They market them only
as supplements.
Are they really good substitutes for the anti-diabetic drugs
that are available in the market?
Bitter melon should be considered an addition in the
treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It could probably
reduce the patients intake of antidiabetic drugs. It should
not however, be regarded as a stand-alone medicine.
Also, diabetics who want to try bitter melon need not to
spend money on the teas, tablets or capsules. They can
cultivate or buy the plant from the market and prepare it
themselves.
To prepare bitter melon extract, the following steps should
be followed:
1. Wash and finely chop the leaves. 2. Add 6 tablespoons of
the chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water. 3. Boil it for 15
min. in an uncovered pot. 4. Cool down and strain. 5.
Drink 1/3 cup of it 3x a day.
Alternately, bitter melon tops can be steamed and eaten (1/2
cup 2x a day).
About the Author: Junji Takano is a Japanese health
researcher and has been studying the causes of viruses since
1960s. In 1968, he invented Pyro-Energen, the first
electrotherapy device that eradicates viral diseases in a
non-narcotic way. Visit him at: http://www.pyroenergen.com
Free newsletter: http://www.pyroenergen.com/newsletter.htm
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