Constituents and uses of Bitter melon, Momordica Charantia
Constituents
Bitter melon is rich in carbohydrates, fats, protein, water, vitamin A,
thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin E,
C, K, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc.
Culinary uses
- In India, south Asia and West Indies bitter gourd is often cooked
with potatoes.
- In other parts it is stuffed with spices and tied with thread so that
it can be fried in oil.
- It is also deep fried like pakoras.
- Bitter melon juice is frequently drunk by people as a medicine.
- In Indonesia it is prepared with milk, stir fry or steamed. Different
countries prepare different dishes with bitter gourd.
Medicinal uses
- Bitter gourd is considered as very good herbal medicine in ayurveda.
It has been used in traditional medicines since a long time.
- It helps in proper digestion, dyspepsia and constipation.
- It is believed to be an effective medicine in diabetes and also works
as anti-flatulent.
- Reports have shown that bitter melon is useful in preventing and
treating malaria.
- It is also effective in treating HIV and various cancers, especially
breast cancer.
- It also works as an abortifacient herb which induces abortion, so in
pregnancy it must be avoided.