Ampalaya (Bitter Melon) with a scientific name Momordica

charantia, is a climbing vine and the tendrils of which grow up

to 20 centimeters long. This herbal plant belongs to the family
of Cucurbitaceae, and it is a tropical as well as a subtropical
vine. Ampalaya leaves are heart-shaped, which are 5 to 10
centimeters in diameter. The fruits of the ampalaya vine are
fleshy green with pointed ends at length. It can never be
mistaken for any other variety because its ribbed and wrinkled
surface had always been ampalaya’s distinct physical
structure. The bitter taste of the ampalaya fruit had also been
the distinguishing factor from the rest of the fruits with
medicinal value, and this is due to the presence of a substance
known as momorcidin.Ampalaya has been a folkloric cure for
generations but has now been proven to be an effective herbal
medicine for many aliments. Most significant of which is for
Diabetes. The Philippine variety has proven to be most potent.
Ampalaya contains a mixture of flavanoids and alkaloids make
the Pancreas produce more insulin that controls the blood
sugar in diabetics. Aside from Ampalaya's medicinal value, it is
good source of vitamins A, B and C, iron, folic acid,
phosphorous and calcium.Ampalaya has been for used even by
the Chinese for centuries. The effectively of Ampalaya as an
herbal medicine has been tried and tested by many research
clinics and laboratories worldwide. In the Philippines, the
Department of Health has endorsed Ampalaya as an
alternative medicine to help alleviate various ailments
including diabetes, liver problems and even HIV. Aside from
these, ampalaya also helps treat skin diseases and cough. Its
herbal value extends to increasing the sterility of women, in
parasiticide, antipyretic, and has purgative functions, as well.
Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative
and abortifacient.

Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya:

 
• Good for rheumatism and gout• And diseases of the spleen
and liver• Aids in lowering blood sugar levels• Helps in
lowering blood pressure• Relives headaches• Disinfects and
heals wounds & burns • Can be used as a cough & fever
remedy• Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea • Helps
prevent some types of cancer• Enhances immune system to
fight infection• For treatment of hemorrhoids• Is an
antioxidant and parasiticide• Is antibacterial and antipyretic
Preparation & Use of Ampalaya:
 
• For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice
Ampalaya leaves and drink a spoonful daily.• For other
ailments, the fruit and leaves can both be juiced and taken
orally.• For headaches wounds, burns and skin diseases, apply
warmed leaves to afflicted area.• Powdered leaves, and the
root decoction, may be used as stringent and applied to treat
hemorrhoids.• Internal parasites are proven to be expelled
when the ampalaya juice, made from its leaves, is extracted.
The ampalaya juice, and grounded seeds is to be taken one
spoonful thrice a day, which also treats diarrhea, dysentery,
and chronic colitis.

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

(Momordica Charantia) as an alternative herbal medicine for liver
problems. Research about Ampalaya has shown that Amplaya 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.

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.

Hemorrhoids. Powdered leaves and root decoction of Ampalaya are

applied to hemorrhoids as astringent.

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.

Cough. Ampalaya leaf juice is used for mild coughs for children.
Administered in a teaspoon 3x a day.

Burns, Scalds and Wounds. Pounded Ampalaya seeds or leaf are used
to treat burns, scalds and wounds.
Other acclaimed uses are for the treatment of HIV, hypertension,
treatment of fever and headaches, treatment of rheumatism and
gout, disease of the spleen and liver.

Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and

abortifacient.

Bitter Melon, bitter gourd, ampalaya: This tropical plant which

goes by many names, is commonly grown for its edible fruit,
which is probably among the most bitter of all vegetables on
earth.

Bitter gourd predominantly grows in tropical areas, including

parts of Asia, East Africa, the Caribbean, and South America,
where it is used both as food as well as a medicine. The plant's
fruit truly lives up to its name, because it really tastes bitter.
Although the seeds, leaves, and vines of this fruit have
different uses, the fruit is considered as the safest and most
predominantly used part of the plant in traditional herbal
medicine.

Ampalaya Is Now Used In Herbal Medicine

Until recently, bitter gourd has been noted to be a potent

herbal medicine for a lot of ailments, particularly in treating
diabetes. The Philippine variety is known for its more potent
anti-diabetic components.

This fruit is composed of a mixture of flavonoids and alkaloids

which make the pancreas produce insulin that controls the
blood sugar levels in diabetics. Aside from its touted medicinal
value, it's also a very wonderful source of vitamins A, B and C,
iron, folic acid, phosphorous and calcium. Ampalaya is a
common herb used in Chinese herbology too.

The fruit's leaves are often used for children's coughs and are
utilized in the treatment of skin diseases, sterility in women,
as a parasiticide, an antipyretic, as well as a purgative. Like
most bitter-tasting fruits and vegetables, bitter gourd
stimulates digestion and can be very potent in people with
dyspepsia and constipation.

Herbal Benefits of Ampalaya:

Ampalaya is noted to be an effective component in herbal
medicine, and the fruit is known to help treat, or alleviate the
symptoms of rheumatism and gout and ailments of the spleen
and liver. It also is effective in helping lower the body's blood
sugar and blood pressure levels. Below are among many of the
beneficial aspects of using bitter gourd:

- Helps to disinfect and heal cuts, wounds & burns

- Is useful as a cough & fever remedy

- Used in the treatment of intestinal worms and diarrhea

- Helps prevent some types of cancers

- Helps enhance the body's immune system to ward off

infections

- Serves as an effective antioxidant, antibacterial & antipyretic

agent

How To Prepare A Herbal Ampalaya Mixture.

As the bitter fruit is famous for its many medicinal attributes,

there are also other unique ways in preparing mixtures, drinks
or solutions made from ampalaya. For cough, fever, worms,
diarrhea, diabetes, drink a spoonful every day of grounded and
juiced ampalaya leaves. For other health conditions, the fruit
and leaves can both be juiced and taken orally. For wounds,
burns and other skin diseases, you may apply the fruit's
warmed leaves to the affected area.

Aside from the benefits mentioned above, bitter gourd is also

an effective digestive agent that works by properly stimulating
the secretion of gastric juices. It also aids in stimulating the
liver for proper secretion of bile juices that are essential for
the metabolism of body fat.

Taking juice made from bitter gourd also helps in the

treatment of constipation, which is mainly caused by unhealthy
eating habits and daily dietary practices. This fruit not only is
good at relieving an indigestive condition, but also aids in
treating constipation, by improving the movement of the
gastrointestinal tract, as well as improving absorption in the
intestines.
Ampalaya is back in its status as a supplementary medicine for diabetes.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque has issued a circular reinstating

ampalaya (scientific name Momordica charantia Linn. as a scientifically
validated herbal medicinal plant that can lower elevated blood sugar
levels.

Ampalaya is also known as bitter gourd, or bitter melon. In India, it is

known as karela.

With the circular, Duque threw out a circular issued in 2003 by then
Health Secretary Manuel Dayrit that classified ampalaya as a
“folklorically-validated herbal medicinal plant."

The reclassification came about in view of recent clinical evidence on the

efficacy of ampalaya in capsule or tea form as a useful dietary adjunct in
the treatment of Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes.

hTe DOH cited a 10-year study that found out that the vegetable can
effectively regulate blood sugar in the same way as a regular anti-
diabetes drug.

Results of the study conducted by the Philippine Council for Health

Research and Development (PCHRD) elevated the ampalaya from a mere
nutritional supplement to a real medicine.

The study has been certified by the Philippine Institute of Traditional and
Alternative Health Care (PITAHC).

"We compared ampalaya leaves with an anti-diabetes drug, and we found

out that ampalaya has the same effect on the patient. It means the action
of ampalaya on blood sugar is equivalent to the action of the medicine,"
Dr. Cirilo Galindez, PITAHC director general, said.

The study revealed that a 100 milligram per kilo dose per day is
comparable to 2.5 milligrams of the anti-diabetes drug Glibenclamide
taken twice per day.
Sampung Halamang Gamot

This restores the place of ampalaya as among the DOH list of Sampung
Halamang Gamot (Ten Medicinal Plants).

Other herbal medicinal plants on the list include lagundi (for fever,
asthma, headache, toothache, cough and as wound wash and aromatic
bath), sambong (for gaseous distention, fever, headache, abscess and as
diuretic and aromatic bath), akapulco (as wound wash and for itch), yerba
buena (for cough, toothache, headache, dizziness, fainting, hysteria,
gaseous distention, arthritis and as mouthwash).

Tsaang gubat (anti-mutility), bawang or garlic (anti-cholesterol), Bayabas

or guava (for oral or skin antiseptic), niyog-niyugan (anti-helminthic), and
kulasimang bato (anti-pyreruricemia).

In a study, Dr. William D. Torres said Momordica charantia L. fruits,

leaves, seeds and other parts, when used as dry powders, extracts,
decoctions, fresh or cooled, “has clearly demonstrated hypoglycemic
activity in vitro and in vivo."

Dr. Torres is a professor at the Department of Industrial Pharmacy,

College of Pharmacy at the University of the Philippines- Manila.

In a separate clinical research, Doctors Reynaldo F. Rosales and Ricardo E.

Fernando found that ampalaya fruit, prepared as a tea “is well tolerated
and maybe a useful dietary adjunct in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes."

“It has minor gastrointestinal side effects of increased bowel frequency,

but beneficial to those diabetic patients who are constipated," said the
physicians who are both specialists on diabetes.

“It has no effect ton weight and blood pressure," they added. But for use
as an alternative medicine for diabetes, the doctors said further scientific
researches may be necessary.

Ampalaya was found containing polypeptide-P, a plant insulin that can

lower elevated blood sugar level. Nutritional analysis showed that
ampalaya is rich in iron, calcium, and Beta-carotene. It also contains
some vitamin B, C, and phosphorous.

Aside from its nutritive value, ampalaya is also used as an emetic,

laxative, aphrodisiac and even as abortifacient, according to Doctors
Rosales and Fernando.

Dr. Fernando is chief of the section of endocrinology, diabetes and

metabolism at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City. Dr. Rosales is a
senior fellow in the same section.

In 2003, various processed ampalaya products flooded the Philippine

market causing doubt about its efficacy. Because of this, the DOH had to
re-categorize it from being a herbal medicinal plant to a supplement.

Detractors said Dayrit gave in to the influential lobby of multi-national

drug companies and other vested interests whose market share were
significantly reduced with the popularity of the ampalaya supplementary
medicine.

Commendations

The Chamber of Herbal Industries of the Philippines Inc., (CHIPI) promptly

commended Duque for the validation of the ampalaya in the light of a
global trend towards natural and herbal therapies.

CHIPI is an organization of companies that produce ampalaya products

duly approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

The Philippines has one of the world’s richest herbal medicinal resources
and ampalaya can be the star herb for the Philippines, much like ginseng
is to Korea, CHIPI said.

The group said ampalaya’s global acceptance can spur further research
and investment in other herbal resources, which may ultimately help the
economy and provide livelihood for many Filipinos.
In a Health Forum organized by the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP)
at Annabel’s restaurant in Quezon City, Lito Abelarde, president of the
Chamber of Herbal Industries, Inc., said that apart from medicinal use,
ampalaya also presents a good potential as a “champion" export product
for the Philippines.

Massive production of ampalaya products, he said, would prop up the

economy with the job and added income the industry would generate.

Economic benefits

“Ampalaya does not have only health benefits, but also economic
benefits," Abelarde said.

Abelarde’s company, Herbcare, has been exporting Charantia capsules

and tea to the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Japan, Korea, and
parts of the Middle East. He said his company focused on the export
market in 2003 when ampalaya was downgraded as a folkloric herbal
medicinal plant.

That time, he said 10 of 15 ampalaya herbal brands disappeared from the

market, others had to lay off people because many consumers stopped
patronizing the product.

Dr. Guia Ciria Abad, immediate past president of the Association of

Municipal Health Officers of the Philippines (AMHOP), said she has been
actively promoting ampalaya as a supplementary medicine for diabetes
since 1981, and even when the DoH reclassified it as a folklorically-
validated herbal medicinal plant in 2003.

“Diabetes is a lifetime disease. I come from a family with diabetes. I know

that medication is draining the pockets of patients or their relatives. And
here’s a supplement that effectively helps control diabetes," she told the
media forum.

“We are going down to the level of the barangays, and even down to the
households to deliver the information on the health benefits of ampalaya,"
Dr. Abad said.
“I tell the people, if you don’t have land to plant ampalaya, you can just
get a pot or a tin can, plant it by the window and the vines can serve as a
curtain. When it bears fruit, you can cook the fruit and the leaves which
are nutritious and medicinal," she said.

The physician however advised patients to consult their doctor before

stopping the intake of their regular prescribed medicines and just take
ampalaya. “Even if you feel good after taking ampalaya, go to your doctor
for regular check up and it is up to your doctor to reduce the dosage of
your prescribed medicines," she said.

“Ampalaya can be potent, but it can also give you a shock," Dr. Abad
warned.

Dr. Cirilo Galindez, executive director of the Philippine Institute of

Traditional and Alternative Health Care (PITAHC), said leaves of the
Makiling variety of the ampalaya were used in the study. He was quick to
point out however that all ampalaya variety, including the ampalayang
ligaw or wild ampalaya, have the same basic ingredients that have the
same beneficial effects. - GMANews.TV

BotanyA climbing vine with tendrils up to 20

centimeters long. Leaves heart-shaped, 5-10 cm in
diameter, cut into 5-7 lobes. Male and female yellow
flowers, about 15 mm long, long-stalked with pair of
small leaflike bracts at middle or toward base of stalk.
Fleshy green fruit, oblong with pointed ends, ribbed
and wrinkled, bursting when mature to release seeds.
Seeds flat with ruminated margins.     Probably of
Asiatic origin. Year-round vegetable growing in
various places from sea level to higher altitudes. Wild
forms found in wastelands at low and medium
altitudes. Propagation by seeds.

DistributionYear-round vegetable, extensively

cultivated in the Philippines for its bitter edible fruit.
Also found in open fields, thickets, and waste places.
(See: Ampalayang ligaw)
PropertiesConsidered astringent, antidiabetic,
abortifacient, antirheumatic, contraceptive,
galactagogue, parasiticide, anthelmintic, purgative,
emetic, antipyretic, febrifuge, emmenagogue, cooling ,
tonic, vulnerary.Parts utilizedLeaves, roots and
fruits.UsesFolkloricAstringent powdered leaves or
root decoction can be applied to hemorrhoids.Leaf
juice for cough and as a purgative and anthelminthic
to expel intestinal parasites, and for healing wounds.
Seeds also used to expel worms.Juice from fruit used
for dysentery and chronic colitis.The vine or the juice
of leaves used as mild purgative for children.In large
doses, the fresh juice is a drastic purgative.Decoction
of roots and seeds used for urethral discharges.
Pounded leaves used for scalds.Infusion of leaves or
leaf juice used for fevers.In Jamaica, leaf decoction or
infusion is taken for colds, as laxative and blood
cleanser. Warm tea infusions also used for toothaches
and mouth infections. Also used as a bath/wash for
skin eruptions and acne. Used for eczema, malarial,
gout, jaundice, abdominal pain, kidney (stone),
leprosy, leucorrhea, piles, pneumonia, psoriasis, ,
rheumatism, fever and scabies. In China, used as
hypoglycemic and antidiabetic.NutritionalThe leaves
and fruit - used as vegetables - are excellent sources
of Vit B, iron, calcium, and phosphorus. It has twice
the amount of beta carotene in broccoli and twice the
calcium content of spinach. Characteristically bitter-
tasting, slight soaking in salty water before cooking
removes some of the bitter taste of the fruit.Recent
useDiabetes MellitusA Philippine herb that has
recently gained international recognition for its
possible benefits in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Despite its bitter taste, it has also become a popular
nutritional drink for a boost of vim and vigor. In fact,
the more bitter, the better, as it is believed that the
bitterness is proportionate to its potency.       Studies
have suggested that ampalaya contains a
hypoglycemic polypeptide, a plant insulin responsible
for its blood sugar lowering effect. Other benefits
suggested were body detoxification (including
removal of nicotine), strengthening of the immune
system and fertility regulation.     It is increasingly
recommended as an adjunct or supplement to
traditional therapeutic regimens for diabetes mellitus.
Studies • Analgesic / Cholinomimetic: A methanol
leaf extract study of Mormodica charantia in rodents
suggested cholinomimetic and analgesic activities.•
Antidiabetic and adaptogenic properties: Adaptogenic
properties are indicated by the delay in the appearance of
cataracts, the secondary complications of diabetes and
relief in neurological and other common symptoms even
before the hypoglycemia occurred.• Anti-inflammatory /
Membrane Stabilizing Property: The study reports the
anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing property of an
aqueous extract of Mormodica charantia leaves in rats.
The results suggest the anti-inflammatory activity may not
be related to membrane-stabilization.Antimicrobial:
Study on various extracts of Cassia tora, Calendula
officinalis and Mormodica charantia showed activity
against all tested bacteria, Staph aureus being more
susceptible to the aqueous extracts. • Larvicidal: Study
showed M. charantia to have good larvicidal activity
against three container breeding mosquitoes: An.
stephensi, Cx quinquefasciatus and Ae. aegypti
suggesting a potential for the fruit extracts use in potable
waters against mosquito larvae.• Antidiabetic / Estrous
Cyclicity Effect: Study results suggest the antidiabetic
potential of MC and AP could restore the impaired estrous
cycle in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.• Antidiabetic /
Saponins: Study showed the saponin constituents
extracted from MC induced significant hypoglycemic
activity in hyperglycemic and normal mice.• Anxiolytic /
Antidepressant / Antiinflammatory: Study of methanol
extract of dried leaves of MC showed significant anxiolytic
activity and antidepressant and antiinflammatory activities.
Other (Kitchen) PreparationsSteam ampalaya
tops (upper four leaves) and eat half a cup twice daily. As
a decoction, boil six tablespoons of finely chopped leaves
in two glasses of water over low fire (for 15 minutes). Drink
1/3 cup, three times a day, 30 minutes before meals. Don't
use aluminum pots (clay or enamel only).

ToxicityNone known.

AvailabilityWild-crafted.Perennial vegetable market

produce.Tablets (Amargozin by Altermed / Pascual
Laboratories) for diabetes. Recently, available in capsule
formulation, Charagen Ampalaya. 
Bitter melon or bitter gourd is commonly known here in
the Philippines as ampalaya. The fruit of this plant is
bitter, even the leaves and stem. It is known as the most
bitter of vegetables. Here’s a trivia for you guys if you
haven’t heard or read; ampalaya is a member of the
squash family.
The bitterness of this plant comes from the high
concentration of quinine, which is used as anti-
inflammatory and painkiller. It’s also effective for treating
malaria. Aside from these properties, amplaya have been
used as herbal medicine due to its numerous healing
properties. Bitter gourd or bitter melon had been popular
for its properties to treat diabetes. Clinical studies show
that bitter melon increases the production of beta cells in
the pancreas which leads to improvement of insulin
production of the body. Ampalaya is also effective for
people who are constipated because it can stimulate
digestion, also effective for treating HIV infection and
lowering blood sugar.

I love eating ampalaya with egg. It’s truly very delicious

and very healthy. Some people don’t like the taste of
ampalaya because of the bitterness. But if you eat bitter
melon stir-fried with ground beef or sautéed with egg
you’ll love it. But if you still can’t take the bitterness, you
can put your amplaya on the freezer. Let it stay there for
about 3-5 hours then it’s ready to cook.