Bitter Melon (Cerasee) 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Bitter Melon 100 g ($14.99), 50 g ($10.99), 25 g ($7.99)

Benefits:
Bitter melon is a useful agent for treating diabetes, as it lowers blood sugar levels. In folk medicine, bitter melon is used to treat colds, flu, and fever. It has traditionally been used to treat parasites, worms, digestive disorders, and skin diseases like psoriasis.  Bitter melon improves the body’s ability to use blood sugar and improves glucose tolerance. Also, at least one animal study noted that bitter melon fruit juice may cause a renewal and recovery of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas.

Nutrients
10 grams of dried bitter melon provides (1):

• Calories: 21
• Carbs: 4 grams
• Fiber: 2 grams
• Vitamin C: 99% of the Daily Value (DV)
• Vitamin A: 44% of the DV
• Folate: 17% of the DV
• Potassium: 8% of the DV
• Zinc: 5% of the DV
• Iron: 4% of the DV

Bitter melon is especially rich in vitamin C, an important micronutrient involved in disease prevention, bone formation, and wound healing (2). It’s also high in vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes skin health and proper vision (3). It provides folate, which is essential for growth and development, as well as smaller amounts of potassium, zinc, and iron (4). Bitter melon is a good source of catechin, gallic acid, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid, too — powerful antioxidant compounds that can help protect your cells against damage (5). It’s also low in calories yet high in fiber — fulfilling approximately 8% of your daily fiber needs in a 10 gram dried herb serving.

Weight Loss  Bitter melon makes an excellent addition to a weight loss diet, as it’s low in calories yet high in fiber. It contains approximately 2 grams of fiber in each 100-gram serving (1). Fiber passes through your digestive tract very slowly, helping keep you fuller for longer and reducing hunger and appetite (15). Bitter melon also has laxative properties, which may help to support digestion if you are constipated (16). Swapping higher-calorie ingredients with bitter melon could help increase your fiber intake and cut calories to promote weight loss. Note that these studies were performed using high-dose bitter melon supplements. It remains unclear whether eating bitter melon as part of your regular diet would have the same beneficial effects on health.

Cancer. Patients with cancer have compromised immune systems indicated by decreases in white blood cell counts and in natural killer (NK) cells, which directly attack cancer cells. In one study, bitter melon intake seemed to help patients with head and neck cancer who were undergoing radiation therapy. A transporter protein (P-glycoprotein) similar to NK cells was improved compared to a placebo. NK cell numbers did not improve, however.

Another study suggests that bitter melon contains certain compounds with cancer-fighting properties. One older test-tube study showed that bitter melon was effective at killing cancer cells of the stomach, colon, lung, and nasopharynx — the area located behind the nose at the back of your throat (10). Another combined test-tube and animal study had similar findings, reporting that bitter melon was able to block the growth and spread of breast cancer cells while also promoting cancer cell death (11). Keep in mind that these studies were performed using concentrated amounts of bitter melon on individual cells in a laboratory. Further research is needed to determine how bitter melon may affect cancer growth and development in humans when consumed in the normal amounts found in food.

Diabetes. Bitter melon is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In one study, fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels went down after drinking a homogenized suspension of the bitter melon pulp. Eighty-six of the 100 patients with type 2 diabetes responded favorably. In another study, 50 patients received bitter melon or a placebo for four weeks. No changes were observed in fructosamine, which is a marker of insulin levels in the blood.

Thanks to its potent medicinal properties, bitter melon has long been used by indigenous populations around the world to help treat diabetes-related conditions. In recent years, several studies confirmed the fruit’s role in blood sugar control (6). A 3-month study in 24 adults with diabetes showed that taking 2,000 mg of bitter melon daily decreased blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c, a test used to measure blood sugar control over three months (7). Another study in 40 people with diabetes found that taking 2,000 mg per day of bitter melon for 4 weeks led to a modest reduction in blood sugar levels.

Bitter melon significantly decreased levels of fructosamine, a short term marker of long-term blood sugar control (8).

Bitter melon is thought to improve the way that sugar is used in your tissues and promote the secretion of insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels (9). However, research in humans is limited, and larger, more high-quality studies are needed to understand how bitter melon may impact blood sugar levels in the general population.

Cholesterol  High levels of cholesterol can cause fatty plaque to build up in your arteries, forcing your heart to work harder to pump blood and increasing your risk of heart disease (12). Several animal studies found that bitter melon may decrease cholesterol levels to support overall heart health. One human study found that administering water-soluble extract of bitter melon led to significant decreases in levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol, compared to a placebo (13). However, one study in mice noted that bitter melon didn’t result in improvement of cholesterol levels or the development of atherosclerosis (14).

Additional studies are needed to determine whether these positive effects on humans eating the gourd as part of a balanced diet are consistent.

Immunity  Bitter melon is rich in vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system. It also contains vitamin A, which supports your immune system, vision, and reproductive health.

Bones, Joints  Bitter melon is a good source of vitamin K, which can help relieve joint pain, promote bone health, and fight inflammation.

Digestion  Bitter melon is high in fiber, which can help with digestion. It can also help with constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Skin  Bitter melon can help treat skin conditions like wounds and eczema.

Antioxidants  Bitter melon contains antioxidant compounds like catechin, gallic acid, epicatechin, and chlorogenic acid.

Gallbladder, Fluid Retention  Bitter melon can help enhance gallbladder function and prevent or reduce fluid retention.

Recommended Use
The easiest place to find bitter melon is an Asian food market. Bitter melon can be taken in whole fruit form or as a momordica extract, tincture, or juice. The latter forms are most likely to be available from practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It also is sold as a dried herb powder. The daily dose is 1 gram. You should not use the tincture for diabetes control, since this form does not lower blood sugar levels. For people with diabetes, it is likely that long-term results will be better if bitter melon is combined with the herb gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre). If you are taking insulin or medication to reduce blood sugar, bitter melon might amplify the effect, and you may need to reduce your dose of medication. Bitter melon may potentiate cholesterol-lowering drugs, so blood lipids should be monitored when using this herb.

Ingestion of excessive amounts of bitter melon juice can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. Anyone with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) should not take bitter melon, because it could worsen the problem. Bitter melon should not be used during pregnancy, as it can stimulate the uterus and was traditionally used for abortions. Women who are lactating should avoid it as well because it is transferred to the baby in the milk. Bitter melon reduces fertility in both males and females.

Botanical Name: Momordica charantia
English: Karela, Bitter Melon
Ayurvedic: Karavella, Kaaravellaka,
Also, known as: Karela, Balsam pear, Balsam Apple, Balsambirne, Balsamo, Bitter Apple, Amargoso, Ampalaya, Sushaavi, Paharkai, Bitter gourd, Bitter cucumber, Carilla, Cerasee, Paakal, Kaathilla, Kaaravella, Keravallaka, Varivalli, Karavallı, Kaakara, kaaya, Paharkai, Karolla, Kakral, Bitter ground, Hagalakai, Kaippa, Pavackkai, Karla, Kalara, Salara, kaakara kaaya, kabiral, kaippa, kakara, kakayi, kakiral, kakle, kakral, kokouli, Khyar, khoor qua, Kathila, Karolla, Kathila, Karawila, Karavelli, kuguazi, Nigauri, Cerasce, Margose, Margoze
Habitat: Through India
Origin: India
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Fruits
General Information:

Bitter melon or karela (in India), is a unique vegetable-fruit that can be used as food or medicine. It is the edible part of the plant Momordica Charantia and used in Ayurveda from ancient times. The fruit is 3- 30 cm long, distinct warty exterior, oblong, pendulous, usually pointed or beaked, 3 valves at the apex when mature, rough surface light green to green when the fruit is younger and when fully ripe, it turns orange in color with numerous flat seed and extremely bitter in the test. The fruit is most often eaten green, or as it is beginning to turn yellow. At this stage, the fruit’s flesh is crunchy and watery in texture In India, Bitter melon is very popular and is a unique vegetable fruits that can be used as food or medicine.

It is a climbing vine that can reach six feet (two meters). It has deeply lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and orange-yellow fruit. Native to southern Asia and an important ingredient in Asian cuisine, bitter melon is cultivated in warm-weather regions throughout the world. Although the seeds, leaves, and vines of bitter melon all have been used in herbal medicine, the fruit—which looks like a cucumber with bumps—is the primary part of the plant used medicinally.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.

Bitter melon has a sharp flavor that works well in many dishes. A suggestion to make the preparation process simpler. To prepare bitter melon, start by washing the fruit and cutting it lengthwise. Then use a utensil to scoop out the seeds from the center, and cut the fruit into thin slices. Bitter melon can be enjoyed raw or cooked in various recipes. In fact, it can be pan-fried, steamed, baked, or even hollowed out and stuffed with your choice of fillings. Here are a few interesting ways to add bitter melon to your diet:

• Juice bitter melon along with a few other fruits and vegetables for a nutrient-packed beverage.
• Mix bitter melon into your next stir-fry to bump up the health benefits.
• Sauté bitter melon alongside tomatoes, garlic, and onions and add to scrambled eggs.
• Combine seedless bitter melon with your choice of dressing and garnish for a savory salad.
• Stuff with ground meat and vegetables and serve with a black bean sauce.

Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use:
It is common that 10g of a fresh herb = 1g when dehydrated
For bitter melon commonly used amounts range from 2-5 g of dried or powdered fruit, as much as 3 times/day.
Start with a lower dose and gradually increase as needed, while monitoring your body’s response.