Among other things, bitter melon is rich in potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and in oils, glycosides, and alkaloids.
The unripe fruit is used as a vegetable, but in folk medicine in particular, Bitter melon has many applications:
- Unripe fruit: Type 2 diabetes. The plant contains a hypoglycaemic peptide.
- Ripe fruit: A stomach tonic, promotes menstruation, has antipyretic abilities, and is beneficial against kidney stones and intestinal worms.
- Fruit juice: Has laxative and anticolic effects.
- Leaf decoction, internally: Liver diseases, colitis.
- Leaf decoction, externally: Skin diseases.
- Seed oil, externally: Wound treatment.
- Seed paste, externally: Psoriasis, ringworm.
Dosage
Fresh juice: 15 - 20 ml. 3 times a day. The taste, however, is extremely bitter.
Tincture: 1 ml. (25 drops) in some water or juice 3 times a day.
Symptoms of overdosing: Stomach pains and diarrhoea.
Warnings
Pregnant and breast-feeding women should not use Bitter melon.
Bitter melon should not be used in large doses for more than 4 weeks.
