Applications:
Blood sugar management.
Direct hypoglycemic activity.
Treat psoriasis.
Properties:
Momordica charantia is a potential herbal alternative for blood sugar management, particularly in non-insulin dependent diabetes.Momordica charantia (bitter melon) is a proven hypoglycemic agent. One of the active principles responsible for this action is charantin, which is composed of a mixture of beta-sitosterol-beta-D-glucoside and 5,25 stigmadien-3-beta-ol glycoside.
Dosage:tinctures 1 teaspoon,about 5 ml two to three times per day.
Safety and Toxicity:
Red arils (covering on seed) are reportedly toxic in children, causing vomiting, diarrhea, and death.
Actions And Properties in Brief.
Antibiotic
Antitumor activity (constituents lutein and lycopene)
Antiviral
Aphrodisiac
Increases tissue uptake of glucose (due to charantin)
Immunosuppressive (modulating activity of T and B lymphocytes and suppressing macrophage activity)
Inhibits corticotropin - induced lipolysis
Insulinomimetic
Hypotensive
Laxative
Lowers blood glucose
Stimulates lipogenesis
Stomachic
Vermifuge
How much is usually taken?
For those with a taste or tolerance for bitter flavor, a small melon can be eaten as food, or up to 3 1/3 ounces (100 ml) of a decoction or 2 ounces (60 ml) of fresh juice can be drunk per day.3 Though still bitter, tinctures of bitter melon (1 teaspoon [5 ml] two to three times per day) are also sometimes used. The amounts recommended would be appropriate for people with diabetes.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Ingestion of excessive amounts of bitter melon juice (several times more than the amount recommended above) can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea.4 Excessive ingestion of the seeds had been associated with headache, fever, and coma. Bitter melon is not recommended for pregnant women. People with hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) should not take bitter melon, because it may trigger or worsen the problem.This effect has been reported in two young children and one adult patient with diabetes.
Adverse Reactions:
Reported: Hypoglycemia, hepatotoxicity (animal studies)
Toxicity: Ingestion of vicine (seed) may cause favism characterized by headache, fever, abdominal pain, and coma.
Name: Bitter melon Extract
Serie No: S-004.
Specifications: Charantin 10%UV,10:1 TLC.
Part Used: Fruit melon of Momordica charantia.
INCI Name: Momordica Charantia Fruit Extract
EINECS/ELINCS No.:
CAS:
Chem/IUPAC Name:
Shelf Life: 18~24Months in Good Condition.
Appearance: Light Greenish Yellow Fine Powder.
Mesh Size: 100% Pass 80 Mesh Screen.
Color: Light Greenish Yellow to Yellow.
Odor and Smell: Characteristics.
Taste Sense: Flavour with Characteristics.
Bulk Density: 0.48~0.55g/ml.
