Scientific Name
Momordica charantia
Where it is commonly available
Found in tropical East Africa, Madgascar, India to Japan, southward through Malesia to Polynesia; distributed throughout the Philippines
Pre-clinical
Antibacterial, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-tuberculosis, analgesic, purgative, antiviral
Clinical
Antimetabolic syndrome, antidiabetes
How to use them
For diabetes
> Consult a health center for a formal diagnosis and medical advice for diabetes, including the use of ampalaya leaves (Makiling variety) to help control blood sugar levels
> Health care professionals may advise patients to eat 1 cup of ampalaya leaves twice a day (as salad or as an ingredient in meals)
> Health care professionals may also advise patients to boil 2 cups of sprouts in 2 glasses of water until only half of the water is left (around 15 minutes of boiling), and to drink ⅓ of the boiled water (decoction) thrice a day (30 minutes before meals)
References
ASEAN 2014, BFAD 2005, Dayrit 2014, FNRI 1997, Galvez Tan 2014, Quisimbing 1978, TKDL 2015, WHO 2009