Also known as Chinese bitter melon; this tropical vine is a tender perennial.The fruit is edible when harvested green and cooked. The taste is bitter.Bitter melon has twice the potassium of bananas and is also rich in vitamin A and C.Pare is a monoecious climber with dark green, deeply lobed leaves with hairs on it. The dioecious flowers are yellow and the fruits are oblong and lumpy with a light green to greenish-white, waxy skin. Bitter melon seems to be supportive in HIV, several proteins (such as alpha - and beta momocharin) have HIV inhibitory effects in vitro. However, they are not cytotoxic. Medicinal applications Lectins from bittermelon have shown good antilipolytic - and lipogenic activity. Map 30 is a specific protein in bitter melon, that is useful in treating HIV infection. The juice of this plant appears to be abortifacient.
In traditional Chinese medicine the vegetable is used as an appetite stimulant and as a treatment for gastrointestinal infection and against cancer (breast). Peria is also hypoglycemic (blood sugar - lowerering effects). It has been proven to increase the number of beta cells (those which produce insulin) in the pancreas and is natural support for diabetics. Each tablet contains : Momordica charantia Linn. (Balsam apple) 250 mg and other medicinal herb. Dosage : Adult 1-2 Tablets, 3 times a day before meal. |
