Bitter Melon (balsam apple, balsam pear, bitter apple, bitter cucumber, bitter gourd, karela, lakwa, margose, momordica charantia, wild cucumber)

Suggested dosing of Balsam apple, balsam pear (bitter melon)

 

Diabetes

50-100 mL qD Or

900 mg of fruit TId

 

Suggested uses of Balsam apple, balsam pear (bitter melon)

Diabetes, psoriasis, GI upset, anti-microbial, HIV, cancer, fertility, skin diseases

 

Efficacy

Preliminary research shows that it decreases blood glucose & HgbA1C in type 2 diabetes

 

Balsam apple, balsam pear (bitter melon) adverse (side) effects

Not specified

 

Warnings

Contraindications

Pregnancy

 

Cautions

Concomitant hypoglycemic medications

 

Pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy category: X

Lactation: N/A

 

Pregnancy categories

A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.

B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.

C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.

D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.

X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.

NA: Information not available.

 

Pharmacology of Balsam apple, balsam pear (bitter melon)

Metabolism: N/A

Excretion: N/A

 

Mechanism of action

Polypeptide P: insulin-like properties (onset 30-60min; peak 4 hours)

Also has anticancer proteins