In traditional Chinese herbal medicine, bitter melon can stimulate digestion and promote appetite. As a fairly common food, bitter melon is usually a regulator of human condition in tropical areas. In many parts of the world, people use the immature fruits, seeds and aerial parts of bitter melon to treat diabetes . Both its leaves and fruits can make tea, beer or seasonal soups. Bitter melon extract capsules and tinctures are now widely used as herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes, AIDS and other viral diseases, colds, flu and psoriasis.
The anti-diabetic effect of bitter melon extract
Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia Linn.) contains steroidal saponins such as momordica charantia, insulin-like peptides and alkaloids, which impart the hypoglycemic activity of bitter melon. Bitter melon stimulates the release of insulin and hinders the formation of glucose in the blood stream. This function may play a huge role in the treatment of diabetes, especially non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Following two substances have the function of lowering blood sugar:
Momordica charantia – a crystalline substance obtained from the ethanol extract of the bitter melon fruit. It reduced the blood glucose of the total number of experimental rabbits by 42% at a controlled dose of 50 mg/kg. Momordica charantia shows pancreatic and external pancreatic effects, and has slight antispasmodic and anticholinergic effects.
P-insulin (or v-insulin, because it is plant insulin) – its structure is a macromolecular peptide configuration, and pharmacologically it is similar to bovine insulin. P-insulin consists of two polypeptide chains connected by disulfide bonds. Subcutaneous and intramuscular administration of P-insulin to diabetic patients has a hypoglycemic effect. The peak period of action is different from that of bovine insulin after 2 hours, and appears after 4-8 hours.
Bitter melon extract lowering blood sugar advantage and oral dosage
Bitter melon extract has a good effect on lowering blood sugar. We can call it plant insulin. The whole-component extract is used for type 2 diabetes. Taking three times a day, 2g each time, which can keep blood sugar at a normal level. Because it is from plants, it has no toxic and side effects compared with medicine hypoglycemic drugs.
Anti-virus function
Bitter melon extract is effective for psoriasis, cancer-induced susceptibility, and may delay the onset of cataracts or retinopathy and suppress HIV by destroying the DNA of filtering toxins. Its anti-cancer properties are partly due to its boosting effect on immune function. Studies have shown that bitter melon extract inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and the activity of macrophages and lymphocytes.
Who is suitable for use?
- It is possibly safe for most people with proper dose.
- Diabetic patients and those with complications caused by diabetes.
- High blood sugar, prone to fatigue and sweating.
- Heatstroke, fever, flu, dysentery, red eyes, swelling and pain.
Safety
High-dose intake can cause diarrhea. Those suffering from hypoglycemia, insulin-like diabetes should avoid using bitter melon extract.
