Bitter Melon
This fact sheet provides essential information about bitter melon, including its common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for further information.
Common Names
- Bitter Melon
- Balsam Pear
- Bitter Cucumber
- Balsam Apple
- “Art Pumpkin”
- Cerasee
- Carilla Cundeamor
Latin Name
- Momordica charantia
Uses
Bitter melon is believed to have several potential effects, including:
- Hypoglycemic (lowering blood sugar levels)
- Antimicrobial
- Antifertility
How It Is Used
Historically, bitter melon has been used for various conditions. The leaves and fruit can be used to season soups and make teas and beer. Bitter melon may be consumed in the following ways:
- As food
- A decoction of up to 3 1/3 ounces (100 ml) or 2 ounces (60 ml) of fresh juice daily
- Tinctures (1 teaspoon [5 ml] two to three times per day), which may be appropriate for diabetics
Scientific Insights
- Bitter melon juice has been recommended for diabetes at daily doses of 50 to 100 mL, with 900 mg of fruit taken three times a day also suggested for the same purpose. However, there are no clinical trials to substantiate these doses.
- Roots and leaf extracts of bitter melon have shown antibiotic activity, but there is no animal or clinical data supporting its use as an antimicrobial agent.
Side Effects and Cautions
- Currently, no well-known drug interactions with bitter melon have been documented.
- Adverse effects include emmenagogue (stimulating menstrual flow) and abortifacient (inducing abortion) effects, making it not recommended for pregnant women due to the risk of uterine bleeding and contractions.
- The red arils around bitter melon seeds are toxic to children.
- Excessive ingestion of bitter melon juice (significantly more than the recommended amounts) may lead to diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Resources
Drugs.Com – Bitter MelonThis summary highlights the key aspects of bitter melon, including its traditional uses, potential benefits, and safety considerations.
