Report Ni Tabah

I.

Ampalaya A. Scientific names/Common names

 Mormodica charantia Linn. (Bitter Gourd/Bitter melon/Balsam Apple)  Mormodica balsamina Blanco (Amargoso)  Mormodica cylindrica Blanco (Ampalaya)

B. Botany      

A climbing vine w/ tendrils up to 20 cm. long Leaves heart-shaped, 5-10 cm in diameter, cut into 5-7 lobes. Male/female yellow flowers, about 15 mm long Fleshy green fruit, oblong w/ pointed ends, ribbed and wrinkled Seeds flat w/ ruminated margins. Probably of Asiatic Origin

C. Distribution  Year-round vegetable, extensively cultivated in the Philippines for its bitter edible fruit.  Found in open fields, thickets, and waste places.

D. Properties  Astringent, vulnerary, parasiticide, anthelmintic, purgative, emetic, antipyretic, febrifuge, emmenagogue, cooling and tonic.

II.

Ampalaya - Herbal Medicine A. Herbal Benefits  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  Is an antioxidant, parasiticide, antibacterial & antipyretic

B. Medical Uses 1. Folkloric  Astringent 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. 2. Nutritional  The 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.

3. Diabetes Mellitus  A 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. 4. Studies  Pharmacological Screening of a Methanol Extract from Mormodica charantia in Rodents: A methanol leaf extract study of Mormodica charantia suggested cholinomimetic and analgesic activities.  Antidiabetic and adaptogenic properties of Momordica charantia extract: an experimental and clinical evaluation: 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.  Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing property of aqueous leaf extract of Momordica charantia in rats: The study reports the anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing property of an aqueous extract of Mormodica charantia leaves in rats. The results suggest the antiinflammatory activity may not be related to membranestabilization.

III. Preparation of Ampalaya A. Kitchen Preparation  Steam 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). B. Other  For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice the Ampalaya leaves and drink a spoonful every day.  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. Note: In large dozes, pure Ampalaya juice can be a purgative and abortifacient.

IV. Availability



Wild-crafted.



Perennial vegetable market produce.

 for diabetes.

Tablets (Amargozin by Altermed / Pascual Laboratories)

 Ampalaya.

Recently, available in capsule formulation, Charagen

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. . Most significant of which is for Diabetes. This is actually a tropical plant which normally goes by many names, is commonly grown for its edible fruit, which is probably among the most bitter of all vegetables on earth. A 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 leaf like 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. Bitter gourd or Ampalaya predominantly grows in tropical areas, including parts of Asia, East Africa, the Caribbean, and South America, where this is used both as food as well as a medicine. The fruit of the plant truly lives up to its name, because it really tastes bitter. Although the leaves, seeds, and vines of this fruit have different uses, the fruit is considered as the safest and most likely used part of the plant in traditional herbal medicine 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. It is also used as herbal treatment for coughs, skin diseases, and sterility in women, parasiticide, antipyretic and as purgative among others. 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. . It is also rich in beta carotene. 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.