Omnia SanaCommon names in 15 European languages →
The complete database record: 4 documented constituents, 7 pharmacological actions, 10 traditional / indicated uses, with 16 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Climbing or trailing annual vine (Cucurbitaceae) that climbs by simple tendrils, typically 2-5 m long. Leaves are alternate, long-stalked and palmately lobed with 5-7 deep, toothed lobes. Flowers are small, yellow and five-petalled, male and female flowers separate on the same plant. The fruit is an oblong, warty-skinned gourd that ripens from green to orange-yellow and splits open to reveal seeds coated in a bright red aril; the unripe green fruit is the part used medicinally and as food.
Habitat & Distribution
Likely native to tropical Asia (possibly the Indian subcontinent), now widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and increasingly the Americas as a vegetable and medicinal crop; needs warmth, full sun and a trellis or support to climb.[11]
Harvesting
The fruit is harvested unripe, while still green and firm, before it yellows and splits, for use as a vegetable and in traditional antidiabetic preparations; leaves are also traditionally gathered.[11]
Key Constituents
Now regarded as the main antidiabetic principles.
A mixture of two sterol glucosides, historically credited with the hypoglycaemic effect.
An insulin-like polypeptide of the fruit and seed.
A pyrimidine glycoside that can trigger favism in G6PD-deficient people.
Pharmacological Actions
Antidiabetic / blood-sugar lowering (improves glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation)
Bitter digestive / stomachic (traditional use for poor digestion); mild laxative
Bitter digestive / stomachic (traditional use for poor digestion); mild laxative
Bitter digestive / stomachic (traditional use for poor digestion); mild laxative
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from bitter-tonic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Antidiabetic / blood-sugar lowering (improves glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation)
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
inferred from anticancer action
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Traditional Use & History
Bitter melon has a long history in Asian, African and Caribbean traditional medicine as a bitter digestive tonic and mild laxative, and most notably as a remedy for diabetes and its complications; this traditional antidiabetic use is now the most scientifically supported of its properties, with numerous studies on its blood-glucose- and lipid-lowering effects.[4, 11]
Preparations
Dosage
Clinical trials studying bitter melon for blood-sugar support have used standardised fruit extract or juice preparations taken daily over several weeks; dosing varies by product. Because it can lower blood glucose, monitor levels closely if combining with diabetes medication. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Avoid in pregnancy: bitter melon can stimulate the uterus and has been associated with miscarriage; also avoid during breastfeeding.
Strong blood-sugar-lowering action: used with insulin or other diabetes medicines it can cause hypoglycaemia - monitor blood glucose and seek medical advice.
People with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency should avoid the seeds, which contain vicine and can cause favism (haemolytic anaemia). Excessive intake may cause abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Herb-Drug Interactions
Harvest Readiness
[13]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Kim, S.K., Jung, J., Jung, J.H., Yoon, N. and others (2020) 'Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 52, pp. 102524. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524 - Fang, E.F., Froetscher, L., Scheibye-Knudsen, M., Bohr, V.A. and others (2019) 'Emerging Antitumor Activities of the Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)', Current Protein & Peptide Science, 20(3), pp. 296-301. doi:10.2174/1389203719666180622095800 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389203719666180622095800 - Raina, K., Kumar, D. and Agarwal, R (2016) 'Promise of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) bioactives in cancer prevention and therapy', Seminars in Cancer Biology, 40-41, pp. 116-129. doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.07.002 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.07.002 - Basch, E., Gabardi, S. and Ulbricht, C (2003) 'Bitter melon (Momordica charantia): a review of efficacy and safety', American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 60(4), pp. 356-359. doi:10.1093/ajhp/60.4.356 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1093/ajhp/60.4.356 - Bora, A.F.M., Kouame, K.J.E., Li, X., Liu, L. and others (2023) 'New insights into the bioactive polysaccharides, proteins, and triterpenoids isolated from bitter melon (Momordica charantia) and their relevance for nutraceutical and food application: A review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 231, pp. 123173. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123173 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123173 - Soo May, L., Sanip, Z., Ahmed Shokri, A., Abdul Kadir, A. and others (2018) 'The effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) supplementation in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis: A single-blinded, randomized controlled trial', Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 32, pp. 181-186. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.012 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.06.012 - Elekofehinti, O.O., Ariyo, E.O., Akinjiyan, M.O., Olayeriju, O.S. and others (2018) 'Potential use of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) derived compounds as antidiabetics: In silico and in vivo studies', Pathophysiology, 25(4), pp. 327-333. doi:10.1016/j.pathophys.2018.05.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pathophys.2018.05.003 - Leung, L., Birtwhistle, R., Kotecha, J., Hannah, S. and others (2009) 'Anti-diabetic and hypoglycaemic effects of Momordica charantia (bitter melon): a mini review', British Journal of Nutrition, 102(12), pp. 1703-1708. doi:10.1017/S0007114509992054 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114509992054 - Krawinkel, M.B. and Keding, G.B (2006) 'Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia): A dietary approach to hyperglycemia', Nutrition Reviews, 64(7 Pt 1), pp. 331-337. doi:10.1301/nr.2006.jul.331-337 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1301/nr.2006.jul.331-337 - Fang, E.F. and Ng, T.B (2011) 'Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) is a cornucopia of health: a review of its credited antidiabetic, anti-HIV, and antitumor properties', Current Molecular Medicine, 11(5), pp. 417-436. doi:10.2174/156652411795976583 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/156652411795976583 - Cicek, S.S (2022) 'Momordica charantia L. - Diabetes-Related Bioactivities, Quality Control, and Safety Considerations', Frontiers in Pharmacology. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.904643 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.904643 - WebMD (n.d.) 'Bitter Melon: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions'. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-795/bitter-melon Traditional / reference
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-795/bitter-melon - Fern, Ken 'Momordica charantia (Useful Tropical Plants)'. Available at: https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Momordica+charantia Traditional / reference
https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Momordica+charantia - Yedjou, C.G., Grigsby, J., Mbemi, A., Nelson, D., Mildort, B., Latinwo, L. and Tchounwou, P.B (2023) 'The Management of Diabetes Mellitus Using Medicinal Plants and Vitamins', International Journal of Molecular Sciences. doi:10.3390/ijms24109085 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24109085 - Kim, S.K., Jung, J., Jung, J.H., Yoon, N., Kang, S.S., Roh, G.S. and Hahm, J.R (2020) 'Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 52, pp. 102524. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524 - Zhang, X., Zhao, Y., Song, Y. and Miao, M (2024) 'Effects of Momordica charantia L. supplementation on glycemic control and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Heliyon, 10(10), pp. e31126. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31126 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31126
Selected studies & references
All 15 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.