Balsam pear, bot.: Momordica charantia
Botanical name: Momordica charantia
Other names: Foogwa, Bitter gourd, Ampalaya
Momordica charantia
This plant is used in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in Ayurvedic medicine.
Description of the plant:
Balsam pear cannot withstand frost and grows annual.
The natural habit of of this pumpkin plant is Asia.
The plant grows up to 2 m and gets a width of 40 cm. Balsam pear grows very quickly and needs a construction for climbing. Permanently little yellow flowers appear.
The soil should´t be to dry and the plant wants a humus soil.
Balsam pear loves a sunny to halfshady location.
Healing power:
- All parts of this plant have got a really well blood-sugar-lowering function. Balsam pear is also used
- to lower cholesterol,
- at hypertension,
- it works as anti- inflammatory,
- promotes circulation of the blood,
- helps in case of insect bites,
- at burns,
- at athritis,
- at hepatitis.
Balsam pear works
- antibiotic,
- antiviral,
- hinders cancer,
- strengthens the immune system,
- promotes fat digestion.
How to use:
Out of the dried fruits tea is made.
The non-ripe green and bitter tasting fruits are eaten, for example in salads.
For stir-fried dishes, parboil the fruits for 3 minutes to reduce bitterness.
In Asian countries Balsam pear is a famous vegetable. Nowadays you also can buy the fruits in Asia-Markets.
The young leaves taste like curry and are therefore used as spice.
You also can use grinded seeds as flavoring.
Propagation:
By layers: Put them into water. Then they build roots.
By seeds: The temperature should be about 25°C.
Ingredients:
insulinlike Peptid,
Glycosides Charantin and Momordin
Alkaloid Momordicin
Vitamin A
Vitamine B1 und B2
Vitamin C
Calcium
Iron
Phosphorous
Copper
Calium
Young plant 14 days after germination
Layer
Seeds
Bittermelone: Samen/seeds
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