Ampalaya

Scientific Name: Momordica charantia

Ampalaya is a tropical and subtropical vine of
the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in the
Philippines for its edible fruit. As the English
name suggests (bitter melon or bitter gourd), the
melon has a bitter taste due to the presence of
momordicin, and is believed to be among the most
bitter of all vegetables.

Ampalaya is a climbing vine that grows up to 5m,

with tendrils up to 20cm. long. Amplaya leaves are
heart-shaped, 5-10 cm across, cut into 5-7 lobes.
Each Ampalaya plant bears separate yellow male and
female flowers. It bears fleshy green fruit, oblong
shaped with pointed ends, ribbed and wrinkled,
bursting when mature to release seeds. Ampalaya
seeds are flat with ruminated margins.
 Preparation & Use of Ampalaya
 
• For coughs, fever, worms, diarrhea, diabetes, juice Ampalaya
leaves and drink a spoonful daily.

• For other ailments, the fruit and leaves can both be juiced
and taken orally.

• For headaches wounds, burns and skin diseases, apply warmed

leaves to afflicted area.

• Powdered leaves, and the root decoction, may be used as

stringent and applied to treat hemorrhoids.

• Internal parasites are proven to be expelled when the

ampalaya juice, made from its leaves, is extracted. The
ampalaya juice, and grounded seeds is to be taken one
spoonful thrice a day, which also treats diarrhea, dysentery,
and chronic colitis.