Momordica Charantia, Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd

Ampalaya flowers and leaves (top) and fruit vegetable (bottom)

Momordica Charantia is also known as Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourd, or Ampalaya

THERAPEUTIC CATEGORY : Antihelmintic, Antimalarial, Antiviral, Cardioprotective, antidiabetic, Anticancer

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The recommended dosage is one small, unripe, raw melon or about 50 ml of fresh juice, each taken in 2 or 3 doses over the course of the day. Because Bitter Melon’s taste is so bitter, herbalists recommend you hold your nose and take a 2 oz shot. A tincture formulation may be easier to swallow. For best results, read and follow product label directions


PRECAUTION
Exceeding recommended dosages of Bitter Melon might cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, or fever. If you are hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), on medication for diabetes, or pregnant or nursing, consult your physician before using. Diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs (chlorpropamide, glyburide, or phenformin for example) or insulin should use Bitter Melon only under medical supervision. People should not stop their medication or substitute it with Bitter Melon unless they are told to do so by their Doctor/Health Care Professional.

More Benefits:
Relieves Cold, Cough and Fever
- Ampalaya can be used to treat the common symptoms of colds, such as coughing and fever. It works to curb minor inflammations in the respiratory system that lead to mucus buildup and the onset of chest congestion.
Enhance the body's immune system to ward off infections
- Ampalaya works to seek out harmful free radicals in the body and neutralize them before they latch on to healthy cells and cause certain types of disease and cancer. It also works to ward off internal infections that can lead to organ and tissue damage.
Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
- Ampalaya works to balance blood sugar levels in the body. It works to lower the levels in diabetes patients, preventing the onset of shock and other maladies. It also helps to prevent other illnesses that arise from too much sugar in the blood.
Lowers Blood Pressure
- Ampalaya can work to lower the blood pressure in the body by relaxing the vascular system walls. This allows the blood to flow more swiftly without restriction from narrow passageways. Lowering blood pressure helps prevent problems such as heart attack and stroke.
Relieves Headaches
- Ampalaya can work to relieve the stress and tension that cause headaches. The muscles around the brain are able to relax, releasing the pressure that is a catalyst for the common headache. Stress, another catalyst, is also diminished with use.
Protects Spleen and Liver
- Ampalaya can be used to protect the spleen and liver, and negate the harmful effects of alcohol abuse and damaging toxins taken into the body. It works to repair and regenerate tissue through the many nutrients and enzymes it contains. These enzymes work in conjunction with the spleen and liver to help maintain proper functionality.


A Video about Ampalaya Produce by Students from University of Santo Tomas High School