• Restores the altered
histological architecture of the islets of Langerhans (Fernandes et al, 2007)
What is Ampalaya
Ampalaya (Bitter Melon) or it's scientific name, Momordica charantia
has been a folkloric cure for generations but has now been proven to be an
effective herbal medicine for many aliments.
The Philippine Department of Health has endorsed Ampalaya Bitter Melon
(Momordica Charantia) as an alternative herbal medicine for liver problems.
Research about Ampalaya has shown that Ampalaya increases the production of
beta cells by the pancreas, thereby improving the body’s ability to produce
insulin, that controls the blood sugar for diabetics.
Bitter melon seeds
Ampalaya leaves and fruits are excellent sources of Vitamin B, iron,
calcium, and phosphorus. It is also rich in beta carotene.
Ampalaya is used as herbal treatment for diabetes, HIV, coughs, skin
diseases, sterility in women, parasiticide, antipyretic and as purgative among
others.
Folkloric Health Benefits of Ampalaya
Health benefits of juice extract from ampalaya fruit.
- Used to treat diabetes
-Used to treat stomach
problems such as colitis, dysentery and intestinal parasites
-Used to treat spleen and
liver problems
-Used to treat mild cough,
heal wounds, and to treat rheumatism and gout.
Health benefits from ampalaya leaves.
-Powered leaves used as
astringent to treat haemorrhoids and piles
-Sap or juice of leaves used to treat skin
problems such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, leprosy and scabies
-Pounded leaves used to treat
for burns and scald
-Infusion of leaves used to
treat fever
-Infusion used to treat
various stomach problems and to improve appetite
-Poultice of leaves used to
treat headache
-Infusion of leaves used as
mouthwash to treat tooth ache and other mouth problems
Health benefits from ampalaya seeds, roots and flowers.
-Decoction of seeds and roots
used to treat urethral discharge
-Roots are used as an
ingredient in aphrodisiac preparations
-Decoction of roots used to
abort pregnancy
-Infusion from bitter melon
flower is used to treat asthma
How is it taken?
Green fruit of ampalaya and young leaves are cooked, taken as food and
is included in diet during treatment.
Juice extract from bitter melon fruit or leaves are taken spoonful for
adults and teaspoonful for children. 3 times a day until symptoms improve.
Decoction prepared by boiling 50 grams of chopped fruits, seeds, leaves
and/or roots of ampalaya to a liter of water, taken as ampalaya tea three times
a day until symptoms improve.
Medical uses of ampalaya - Helath Benefits
Ampalaya for Diabetes. Clinical Studies for Ampalaya Bitter Melon
demonstrated hypoglycemic properties (blood sugar lowering) or other actions of
potential benefit against diabetes mellitus.
The hypoglycemic chemicals found in Ampalaya Bitter Melon include a
mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantins, insulin-like peptides, and
alkaloids. The hypoglycemic effect is more pronounced in the fruit of bitter
melon where these chemicals are in greater abundance. The fruit has also shown
the ability to enhance cells’ uptake of glucose, to promote insulin release,
and potentiate the effect of insulin. In other in vivo studies, bitter melon
fruit and/or seed has been shown to reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides
in both the presence and absence of dietary cholesterol. In one study, elevated
cholesterol and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats were returned to normal
after 10 weeks of treatment.
Ampalaya for Hemorrhoids. Powdered leaves and root decoction of
Ampalaya are applied to hemorrhoids as astringent.
Ampalaya for Stomach Problems. Ampalaya leaf juice is used to expel
intestinal parasites, treat dysentery, diarrhea, and chronic colitis. Grounded
seeds may also be used. Taken in a spoonfull 3x a day until ailment subsides.
Ampalaya for Cough. Ampalaya leaf juice is used for mild coughs for
children. Administered in a teaspoon 3x a day.
Ampalaya for Burns, Scalds and Wounds. Pounded Ampalaya seeds or leaf
are used to treat burns, scalds and wounds.
Ampalaya as Anti-Cancer, Two compounds extracted from ampalaya bitter
melon, α-eleostearic acid (from ampalaya seeds) and dihydroxy-α-eleostearic
acid (from the ampalayafruit) have been found to induce apoptosis of leukemia
cells in vitro. Diets containing 0.01% ampalaya bitter melon oil (0.006% as
α-eleostearic acid) were found to prevent azoxymethane-induced colon
carcinogenesis in rats.
Other acclaimed uses are for the treatment of HIV, treatment of fever
and headaches, treatment of rheumatism and gout, disease of the spleen and
liver.
Amplaya Side Effects
In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and may cause
pregnancy abortion.
Ampalaya Preparation and Availability
Amplaya or Bitter Melon for Cooking. Ampalaya fruits and leaves are
usually available in Asian or Chinese markets. They can be bought fresh by the
kilo, per piece or by bundles. Ampalaya are cooked mixed with meat. To lessen
the bitterness of the ampalay, sliced ampalaya are washed or even boiled in
water with salt.
Ampalaya preparation
Powdered Ampalaya or Bitter Melon,. Powdered leaves and root decoction
of Ampalaya are applied to hemorrhoids as astringent. Wash the bitter melon
eaves and the with fresh water. Pound to powder. You can use carrier oils to
mix with the powder for application.
Ampalaya or Bitter Melon Juice. Ampalaya
Bitter melon leaves and fruit (without the seeds) are pounded and juiced to
extract concentrated juice. Ampalaya bitter melon juice is then added to other
plesant tasting juice for drinking
Ampalaya or Bitter Melon Capsules, Bitter melon, as its name implies,
is quite bitter, which is why many often prefer to take capsules and tablets. Ready-made
bitter melon extracts are available in capsules and tablets in many Asian
markets, herb shops, and in the supplement department of health food stores.
