Diabetes Information

Medicinal Properties of Bitter Melon - Good for Diabetics


Bitter Melon is the English name of Momordica charantia, a climbing vine whose leaves and green fruits, although bitter, has been used to fight cancer, diabetes and many infectious diseases. It is also a powerful weapon against HIV/AIDS since some reports claim that bitter melon has substance Q. It is one of the most favorite egetables among the Chinese and the most popular herbal tea as well.

The fruits and leaves of bitter melon are a good source of minerals and vitamins, such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin B. However, it is not known how much nutritional contents can actually be absorbed by the body's digestive system of the plant become some of these substances exist in unabsorbable form.

Does Bitter Melon have Medicinal Properties?

Yes. Books and articles about bitter melon states that the extract from the leaves or roots shrinks hemorrhoids. The juice from the leaves is also good to prevent and lessen cough, for fever and against roundworms. Reportedly, it is also used to treat sterility in women and alleviate liver problems. Likewise, bitter melon has some antimicrobial activity and can help infected wounds.

However, none of the medicinal uses of bitter melon has been proven scientifically, although they have not been disproved, either. It's just that it has not been studied enough.

Is it true that bitter melon tea and capsules are effective in lowering blood sugar of diabetics?

There is one case where it is proven that it can lower blood sugar levels from people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes. Results of these scientific studies that determine the effect of drinking of bitter melon extract on blood sugar level of Type 2 Diabetes have consistently shown that bitter melon lowers blood sugar level. The effect on blood sugar is due to momordicin, a substance that is also responsible for it's bitter taste.

The effect of the bitter melon leaves lowering blood sugar level among diabetics is evident regardless of how it is prepared - boiled then eaten, in the form of tea, capsule or tablet. But diabetics should be cautioned about replacing their proprietary medicines with bitter melon teas, capsules or tablets. So far, studies were done only on a very limited number of human subjects so bitter melon and diabetes cannot be labeled conclusive.

In fact, no large clinical trial has yet been published on the preparation of Momordica charantia (bitter melon). The manufacturers of bitter melon teas, capsules and tablets themselves are not claiming healing benefits for their products. They market them only as supplements.

Are they really good substitutes fot the anti-diabetic drugs that are available in the market?

Bitter melon should be considered an addition in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. It could probably reduce the patients intake of antidiabetic drugs. It should not however, be regarded as a stand-alone medicine.

Also, diabetics who want to try bitter melon need not to spend money on the teas, tablets or capsules. They can cultivate or buy the plant from the market and prepare it themselves.

To prepare bitter melon extract, the following steps should be followed:

  • Wash and finely chop the leaves.

  • Add 6 tablespoons of the chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water.

  • Boil it for 15 min. in an uncovered pot.

  • Cool down and strain.

  • Drink 1/3 cup of it 3x a day.

    Alternately, bitter melon tops can be steamed and eaten (1/2 cup 2x a day).

    About The Author:
    Junji Takano is a Japanese health researcher and has been studying the causes of viruses since 1960s. In 1968, he invented Pyro-Energen, the first electrotherapy device that eradicates viral diseases in a non-narcotic way.
    Click here to find out more: http://www.pyroenergen.com
    Free newsletter: http://www.pyroenergen.com/newsletter.htm


    MORE RESOURCES:

    BBC News

    Diabetes strategy 'needed in NI'
    BBC News, UK - 1 hour ago
    A regional strategy is needed to tackle Diabetes in Northern Ireland, it has been claimed. The number of people diagnosed with the condition last year grew ...
    One person diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes, charity warns Telegraph.co.uk
    Diabetes case every three minutes The Press Association
    Diabetes numbers are up in Wales Daily Post
    Daily Mail - Belfast Telegraph
    all 15 news articles


    OverTheLimit.info

    Study: Diabetes Linked to Cognitive Decline
    TIME - 15 hours ago
    05, 2009 Diabetes can take a toll on the body, taxing the heart, circulation, kidneys and even the eyes. Now it's becoming clear that the disease may affect ...
    Diabetes slows mental functions, even in middle-age Los Angeles Times
    Even well controlled, mild diabetes slows mental functions TopNews
    Young Adults With Diabetes Likely To See Cognitive Slowdown SmartAboutHealth
    dBTechno - United Press International
    all 126 news articles


    Canada.com

    Chronic Illness Accounts for 75 Percent of Health Spending
    U.S. News & World Report, DC - 12 hours ago
    Here's what they found: But that doesn't tell us anything about out-of-pocket costs for the most common chronic conditions: diabetes, hypertension, ...
    More Americans getting multiple chronic illnesses Reuters
    Out-of-Pocket Medical Spending Up WebMD
    Prevention key to a healthy economy San Bernardino Sun
    ABC7Chicago.com - McKnight's Long Term Care News
    all 46 news articles


    Simple Diabetes Prevention in the New Year
    MSNBC - Jan 5, 2009
    While you can't control the economy, you can control your risk of developing one of the growing health problems in America... diabetes. ...
    Simple Diabetes Prevention North American Press Syndicate
    all 7 news articles


    Diabetes Medication
    Meadow Free Press, ID - 5 hours ago
    Diabetes medication is the most conventional method of treating diabetes, and there are actually a few different types that your doctor may recommend. ...
    QB keeps type 1 diabetes in check, stays on his game Baxter Bulletin
    all 2 news articles


    Jobs may have Type 1-like diabetes, says endocrinologist
    Computerworld, MA - Jan 5, 2009
    By Gregg Keizer January 5, 2009 (Computerworld) Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs may have symptoms that resemble Type 1 diabetes, a noted endocrinologist said ...
    Video: Steve Jobs Weight Loss Due to Hormone Imbalance AssociatedPress
    What's Ailing Steve Jobs? Medical Opinion Varies TIME
    Experts tie pancreatic surgery to Jobs' weight San Francisco Chronicle
    U.S. News & World Report - Taipei Times
    all 2,574 news articles


    New York Times

    Disease Invades a Body, and Endorphins Kick In
    New York Times, United States - 13 hours ago
    By BETHANY LYTTLE DAVID SHACK’S Type 1 diabetes had been so out of control for so many years that he had had more than 100 seizures. ...


    Diabetes and healthy nutrition workshop
    Summit Daily News, CO - 9 hours ago
    Learn how good nutrition can help you manage your diabetes. Free presentation by Justin Pollack, ND, Mountain River Naturopathic Clinic. ...
    Diabetes and healthy nutrition workshop Summit Daily News
    all 2 news articles


    Diabetes Health (press release)

    Gastric Bypass Halts Diabetes in Obese Teens
    CBC.ca, Canada - 22 hours ago
    (HealthDay News) - Obese teenagers who have gastric bypass surgery not only lose weight but see their type 2 diabetes disappear, a new study finds. ...
    Gastric bypass may reverse diabetes in teens abc13.com
    Gastric bypass effectively treats obesity and diabetes in ... TheMedGuru
    Bypass Surgery Offers Drastic Weight Loss and Remission for Obese ... Diabetes Health (press release)
    all 5 news articles


    Fresh News

    Low-carb Diets Prove Better At Controlling Type 2 Diabetes
    Science Daily (press release) - Jan 5, 2009
    "We found you can get a three-fold improvement in type 2 diabetes as evidenced by a standard test of the amount of sugar in the blood. ...
    Atkins-Style Ketogenic Diet Shines in Blood Sugar Control for ... MedPage Today
    all 25 news articles

    Diabetes - Google News

  • home | site map
    © 2006