Health Update

In the Philippines, Ampalaya (Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourd) is widely known and used for diabetes. Leaves are used as tea, or made into capsules.

Vitamin content of Ampalaya (taken from http://www.foodsdatabase.com/) showed that a serving size of Bitter Melon, approximately 1 cup (93 grams) contains the following vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin A 9%
Thiamine 2%
Riboflavin 2%
Niacin 2%
Vitamin B5 2%
Vitamin B6 2%
Vitamin C 130%
Folate 17%
Calcium 2%
Iron 2%
Magnesium 4%
Phosphorus 3%
Copper 2%
Zinc 5%

One serving of Bitter Melon also contains the following:

Calories: 16
Total Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 5 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 3 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugars 0 g
Protein 1 g

Furthermore, in different parts of the world, Ampalaya (Bitter Melon, Bitter Gourd) are known to have various medical uses. This list of of ethnobotanical uses of Ampalaya is taken from http://bittermelon.org. This site has more comprehensive information about Bitter Melon.

Brazil
Ampalaya is used in abortions, burns, colic, constipation, dermatosis, diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, fever, flu, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, hives, itch, impotency, leprosy, leukemia, libido, liver inflammation, malaria, menstrual problems, pain, rheumatism, scabies, skin, tumor, vaginal discharge, vaginitis, worms, wounds

China
Ampalaya is used in breast cancer, diabetes, fever, halitosis, impotency, renal insufficiency, kidney problems

Cuba
Ampalaya is used in anemia, colitis, diabetes, fever, hyperglycemia, intestinal parasites, kidney stones, liver problems, menstrual problems, sterility (female), worms

Haiti
Ampalaya is used for anemia, constipation, dermatosis, eye infections, fever, liver diseases, skin problems, rhinitis, and as an appetite stimulant and insecticide

India
Ampalaya is used in abortions, birth control, constipation, diabetes, eczema, fat loss, food, fever, gout, hemorrhoids, hydrophobia, hyperglycemia, increasing milk flow, intestinal parasites, jaundice, kidney stones, leprosy, liver, menstrual disorders, pneumonia, psoriasis, rheumatism, scabies, skin, snakebite, vaginal discharge

Mexico
Ampalaya is used for bowel function, burns, diabetes, dysentery, impotency, libido, scabies, sores, worms

Malaysia
Ampalaya is used for abdominal pain, asthma, burns, Celiac’s disease, dermatosis, diarrhea, headache, intestinal parasites, stomachache, worms

Nicaragua
Ampalaya is used for aches, anemia, childbirth, colds, constipation, cough, diabetes, fever, headache, hypertension, infections, lung disorders, malaria, pain, pregnancy, rashes, skin problems

Panama
Ampalaya is used for colds, diabetes, fever, flu, gallbladder problems, hives, hypertension, itch, malaria, menstrual problems, and as an insecticide

Peru
Ampalaya is used for colic, constipation, contusions, diabetes, diarrhea, fever, hepatitis, inflammation, intestinal parasites, lung problems, malaria, measles, menstrual problems, skin sores, pus, wounds

Trinidad
Ampalaya is used for diabetes, dysentery, fever, hypertension, malaria, rheumatism, worms.

Photo courtesy of www.special-tea.com