Bitter melon / Momordica charantia is one of the most powerful herbal remedies for diabetes on the planet. It is also one of the most well-studied.Bitter Melon: The Most Powerful Herb for Diabetes
Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd, karela, balsam pear, or Momordica charantia, is an herbal medicine for diabetes that’s used regularly in Asia and South America. This is one of the most well-studied antidiabetic herbs with blood sugar lowering effects. It is, perhaps, one of the most powerful herbal cures for diabetes with the most comprehensive range of medicinal action.Bitter gourd not only is medicinal, but is also a nutrient-dense food plant that contains vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamins B1, B2, B3, as well as B9 / folate. It is rich in potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Though it is very bitter, bitter melon can be prepared as a salad or it can be cooked.
Bitter melon is frequently consumed in the diet in Asian and African countries including China and India, as well as Turkey and Mauritius. In addition to it's use as a natural cure for diabetes, Momordica charantia is also a famous cure for cancer. Read more about the use of bitter melon as a cure for both cancer and diabetes here.
Medicinal Effects of Momordica charantia
Momordica charantia is one of the most powerful antidiabetic herbs used to treat diabetes type 1, but it has a broad range of medicinal properties including:- Antioxidant
- Anticancer (is a well-known herbal cure for cancer)
- Antimutagenic
- Hypoglycemic (lowers blood sugar levels)
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antibacterial
- Antiviral
- Anti-parasitic
- Neuroprotective
- Immunomodulatory
- Promotes wound healing
- Antiulcer
- Liver protector
- Antiobesity
- Improves insulin reesistance
- Enhances glucose uptake and utilzation
Buy Bitter Melon / Momordica charantia extracts here.
Momordica charantia: Herbal Remedy for Diabetes Type 1 and Type 2
A substance known as “charantin” in Momordica charantia can be used as a natural alternative treatment for diabetes that can replace prescription drug therapy. Charantin has been shown to be more effective than the hypoglycemic drug tolbutamide.
Bitter melon is one of several plants that contain Polypeptide-P, also known as P-insulin. P-insulin is a protein that lowers blood sugar in a manner similar to insulin. Polypeptide-P mimics the action of human insulin in the body and, as such, can be used to replace insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes in particular.
Momordica charantia thus can be used as a natural treatment for diabetes type 1, but the plant contains substances that work in a non-insulin-dependent manner as well to enhance natural insulin signaling pathways in patients with diabetes type 2 as well. Studies have also shown that biter gourd contains three insulin-like active compounds that block glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK-3) by combining with it. In doing so, it inactivate glycogen synthase to restore glycogen content in the body.
In Asian and African countries, people prepare bitter melon as a vegetable.Momoridica charantia also positively alters the bacterial flora and the overall health of the intestinal wall to enhance intestinal mucosal immunity while simultaneously reducing inflammation levels in the gut. The reduction in inflammation and immune system function then reduces insulin resistance, yet another pathway through which bitter melon is able to work as an herbal cure for diabetes.
Another substance in Momordica charantia that’s able to naturally lower blood glucose levels is “vicine”. Vicine is a glycol alkaloid and a pyrimidine nucleoside that is also present in fava beans. Though vicine is generally safe for most people, in individuals who lack the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme, it should be avoided.
Momordica charantia Dose as an Alternative Medicine Cure for Diabetes
Momordica charantia typically comes in one of four different formats: fruit juice, entire fruit, freeze-dried powder, or capsule. Extracts may be made using water, ethanol, or methanol.
Administer 100-200 mg of bitter melon up to 3 times daily.
NOTE: Momordica charantia is not safe for use during pregnancy.
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Resources:
• Joseph, B. & Jini, D. (2013). Antidiabetic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) and its medicinal potency. Retrieved March 27, 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027280/
• Liu, Z. et al. (2021). The Effect of Momordica charantia in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review. Retrieved April 6, 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7826218/
