|
Shopping Basket
Contact Us
Add Pillpod.com to your favourites |
|
Home -> Shop By Store -> Bitter MelonBitter MelonOther Common Names:Balsam Apple, Balsam Pear. Bitter Melon Bitter melon grows in tropical areas, including parts of East Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America, where it is used as a food as well as a medicine. The fruit of this plant lives up to its name—it tastes bitter. Although the seeds, leaves, and vines of bitter melon have all been used, the fruit is the safest and most prevalent part of the plant used medicinally. Bitter melon has been used in connection with the following conditions
Active constituents At least three different groups of constituents in bitter melon have been reported to have blood-sugar lowering actions of potential benefit in diabetes mellitus. These include a mixture of steroidal saponins known as charantin, insulin-like peptides, and alkaloids. It is still unclear which of these is most effective, or if all three work together. Some clinical trials have confirmed the benefit of bitter melon for people with diabetes. In traditional herbal medicine, bitter melon—like other bitter-tasting herbs—is thought to stimulate digestive function and improve appetite. This has yet to be tested in human studies. 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. |
|||||
|
|
|
|||
© Copyright 2005 - 2012 PillPod.com
Statements
made, or products sold through this web site, have not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. You should carefully read all product packaging
and labels. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly
contact your medical professional. We are not responsible for incorrect
or outdated product descriptions and/or images.