Bitter Melon

Product Details

Raintree's sustainably harvested pure Bitter Melon herb powder - rich in active and beneficial phytochemicals that occur naturally in this plant.

Ingredients

Alkaloids, charantin, charine, cryptoxanthin, cucurbitins, cucurbitacins, cucurbitanes, cycloartenols, diosgenin, elaeostearic acids, erythrodiol, galacturonic acids, gentisic acid, goyaglycosides, goyasaponins, guanylate cyclase inhibitors, gypsogenin, hydroxytryptamines, karounidiols, lanosterol, lauric acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, momorcharasides, momorcharins, momordenol, momordicilin, momordicins, momordicinin, momordicosides, momordin, momordolo, multiflorenol, myristic acid, nerolidol, oleanolic acid, oleic acid, oxalic acid, pentadecans, peptides, petroselinic acid, polypeptides, proteins, ribosome-inactivating proteins, rosmarinic acid, rubixanthin, spinasterol, steroidal glycosides, stigmasta-diols, stigmasterol, taraxerol, trehalose, trypsin inhibitors, uracil, vacine, v-insulin, verbascoside, vicine, zeatin, zeatin riboside, zeaxanthin, zeinoxanthin

Dosage

One-half to 1 cup of a standard leaf or whole herb decoction 1–2 times daily or 1–3 ml

Warning

Bitter melon traditionally has been used as an abortive and has been documented with weak uterine stimulant activity; therefore, it is contraindicated during pregnancy. This plant has been documented to reduce fertility in both males and females and should therefore not be used by those undergoing fertility treatment or seeking pregnancy. The active chemicals in bitter melon have shown in animal studies to be transferred through breast milk; therefore, it is contraindicated in women who are breast feeding. All parts of bitter melon (especially the fruit and seed) have demonstrated in numerous in vivo studies that they lower blood glucose levels. As such, it is contraindicated in persons with hypoglycemia. Diabetics should check with their physicians before using this plant and use with caution while monitoring their blood sugar levels regularly. Although all parts of the plant have demonstrated active antibacterial activity, none have shown activity against fungi or yeast. Long-term use of this plant may result in the die-off of friendly bacteria with resulting yeast/candida opportunistic overgrowth. Cycling off the use of the plant (every 30 days for one week) may be warranted, and adding probiotics to the diet may be beneficial if this plant is used for longer than 30 days. The fruit and seed of bitter melon have demonstrated (in animal studies) to lower blood cholesterol levels. Persons on medications to lower blood cholesterol should monitor their cholesterol levels.