Bitter melon extract, commonly used in homeopathic medicine, can regulate blood sugar levels, fight breast cancer cells, and help those infected with HIV. It is grown in India, China, the Caribbean, and Africa and has been recommended for digestive aid and malaria treatment. Consuming excessive amounts can cause side effects such as diarrhea and stomach aches. Pregnant women and people with low blood sugar should avoid using it.
Bitter melon extract, also called Momordica charantia or Karela, comes from a fruit that is commonly used in homeopathic medicine to treat a wide range of ailments. For example, it is often recommended by professionals to regulate a person’s blood sugar levels to prevent or treat diabetes. Also, recent studies have shown that bitter melon extract can fight the growth of breast cancer cells. Other studies have shown that it can also help people infected with the HIV virus.
Commonly grown in areas of India, China, the Caribbean, and Africa, the bitter melon plant grows as a vine with yellow flowers and green fruits. The fruit resembles a cucumber, but is covered in larger, more pronounced bumps. When immature, the seeds and pith are white. The pith or pulp turns red when ripe.
Homeopathic medicine practitioners have recommended bitter melon extract to treat a variety of ailments for years. For example, it is often used as a digestive aid and can be used to help a person suffering from constipation. Some professionals claim that it can also be used to treat malaria, and some clinical studies have shown that it can prevent malaria in laboratory animals.
Bitter melon extract is also often recommended to people infected with the HIV virus. Although it is not believed to treat the disease directly, it is believed to counteract the side effects associated with medications prescribed to the infected person. Additional research is needed before the extract can be ruled out as a treatment because there is some evidence that it may improve immune cell function.
A study has shown that bitter melon extract significantly affects the growth of breast cancer cells. In fact, it can become a chemopreventive product against breast cancer. Specifically, the extract has been shown to slow breast cancer cell growth and kill breast cancer cells.
Many practitioners of homeopathic remedies also recommend bitter melon extract to prevent or combat type 2 diabetes. In one study, the extract appeared to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. In another study, the extract appeared to lower blood sugar levels.
Although bitter melon extract can be consumed as a liquid tincture, the juice of the fruit can also be consumed. In most cases, a person would consume 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of the extract several times a day. As with any remedy, people must understand that there are side effects. For example, if an excessive amount of bitter melon extract is consumed, it can cause diarrhea and stomach aches. Also, pregnant women and people with low blood sugar should avoid using the extract.
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