| Momordica | |
|---|---|
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| Bitter melon (Momordica charantia) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Cucurbitales |
| Family: | Cucurbitaceae |
| Subfamily: | Cucurbitoideae |
| Tribe: | Momordiceae H. Schaef. & S.S. Renner 2011 |
| Genus: | Momordica L. |
| Species | |
See text | |
| Synonyms | |
Momordica is a genus of about 60 species of annual or perennial climbersherbaceous or rarely small shrubs belonging to the familyCucurbitaceae, natives of tropical and subtropicalAfrica andAsia andAustralia. Most species produce floral oils[citation needed] and are visited by specialist pollinators in theapid tribeCtenoplectrini. A molecular phylogeny that includes all species is available (Schaefer and Renner, 2010).
SomeMomordica species are grown in cultivation for their fleshyfruit, which are oblong to cylindrical in shape, orange to red in colour, prickly or warted externally, and in some species burst when ripe, generally with elastic force, into irregular valves.
Momordica can be cultivated in 5 litre vases or jardinière and is hardly susceptible to plagues. After seeding,Momordica develops leaves in about 11 days and flowers after 40 to 50 days. After fertilisation, theMomordica fruit will be developed in about 10 days.[1]
A species of wildbitter melon is used in Ayurveda the ancient medicine system of India to treat diabetes. The green leaf juice in water is consumed daily. This wild melon is relatively small in size compared to cultivated bitter melon.
Momordica charantia (bitter melon,Mandarin Chinese:kǔ guā 苦瓜) is native to Africa but has been used inChinese folk medicine for centuries as a 'bitter, cold' herb, and has recently been brought into mainstream Chinese medicine as well as natural medical traditions around the world. Recent research has shown that the immature fruit might have some antibiotic, anticancer, and antiviral properties, particularly well suited for use in treatment of malaria, HIV, and diabetic conditions.[citation needed] The use ofMomordica fruit is contraindicated in a number of conditions, especially pregnancy.[citation needed]
The effect ofMomordica charantia on glucose and insulin concentrations was studied in nine non-insulin-dependent diabetics and six non-diabetic rats. These results show that it might improve glucose tolerance in diabetes but much more research is needed. Doctors supervising Asian diabetics should be aware of the fruit's hypoglycemic properties.[2][3][4][5]
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