 |
Ampalaya
Common names: Ampalaya (Tagalog); paria
(Ilokano); palia (Bisaya); bitter gourd, bitter cucumber, bitter melon (English)
Indications and preparations: anti-diabetic (non-insulin dependent); for fertility regulation. |
click here for enlarged picture |
| Family: |
Cucurbitaceae/ Asteraceae |
| Description: |
Monoecious, annual vine up to 5m
long. Stem 5-ridged. Leaf blade broadly ovate,deeply palmately-lobed, deeply cordate at
base, lobes obovate and sinuate-lobulate or sinuate-toothed, glabrous or sparsely
pubescent. Flowers, yellow. Fruit, irregularly warty, orange when ripe, dehiscing. Seeds
brown. |
| Ecological distribution: |
In lowland rain forest, riverine
forest, thickets, hedges, waste places, and roadsides. Domesticated in in eastern India
and Southern China. |
| Parts used: |
Young leaves: tops. |
| Traditional uses: |
Root, stem, fruit, flower
decoction – as an agent to reduce fever, diabetes millitus Plant – as laxative, against chronic malaria
Juice from plant parts – externally to treat skin
disorders, abscesses and burns, diarrhea and stomach-ache.
Leaf juice – for jaundice, and menstrual disorders.
Flower – part of a mixture for asthma.
Seed – for chest pains, dysentery, obstructions of
liver and spleen, hemorrhoids, chronic malaria, ulcers, breast cancer, mumps, and lumbago.
Roots – expectorant.
Leaf tops and fruits as vegetable. |
| Special precautions: |
Blood sugar level should be
monitored regularly. The native variety with small bitter fruit is recommended. |
| Product available: |
tablets, capsules, tea. |
| Further information in: |
de Padua,L.S., N.
Bunyapraphatsara, R.H.M.J. Lemmens (Editors). 1999. Plant Resources of South East Asia
12(1) Medicinal and Poisonous Plants. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, the Netherlands.771
pp. |
| Or contact: |
RED Foundation Inc., Los Baņos,
Laguna 4031 Philippines Tel no. (63) (049) 536 0205. |
|