Bitter Melon India

Momordica Charantia

Bitter melon fruit is much like cucumber in appearance but has a ridged, bumpy outer texture. While the fruit and leaf are prepared as vegetables in African, Asian and Caribbean cuisines, bitter melon extracts and powders are taken as dietary supplements and are also used in natural cosmetics.

Main actions: Anticancerous, antiviral, antibacterial, digestive stimulant,
hypoglycemic.
Main uses: For cancer; for viral infections (HIV, herpes, Epstein Barr,
hepatitis, influenza, and measles); for bacterial infections (Staphylococcus,
Streptococcus, and Salmonella; as bitter digestive aid (for dyspepsia and
sluggish digestion); for diabetes.
Cautions: It may lower blood sugar levels, and has abortive and
contraceptive effects.

In the Amazon, local people and indigenous tribes grow bitter melon in their gardens for food and medicine. They add the fruit and/or leaves to beans and soup for a bitter or sour flavor; parboiling it first with a dash of salt may remove some of the bitter taste. Medicinally, the plant has a long history of use by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon. A leaf tea is used for diabetes, to expel intestinal gas, to promote menstruation, and as an antiviral for measles, hepatitis, and feverish conditions. It is used topically for sores, wounds, and infections and internally and externally for worms and parasites.

In Brazilian herbal medicine, bitter melon is used for tumors, wounds, rheumatism, malaria, vaginal discharge, inflammation, menstrual problems, diabetes, colic, fevers, worms. It is also used to induce abortions and as an aphrodisiac. It is prepared into a topical remedy for the skin to treat vaginitis, hemorrhoids, scabies, itchy rashes, eczema, leprosy and other skin problems. In Mexico, the entire plant is used for diabetes and dysentery; the root is a reputed aphrodisiac. In Peruvian herbal medicine, the leaf or aerial parts of the plant are used to treat measles, malaria, and all types of inflammation. In Nicaragua, the leaf is commonly used for stomach pain, diabetes, fevers, colds, coughs, headaches, malaria, skin complaints, menstrual disorders, aches and pains, hypertension, infections, and as an aid in childbirth.

This information is gathered directly from:
https://rain-tree.com/bitmelon.htm