What is the efficacy and function of bitter gourd?

Gu Feng

associate chief physician

China academy of traditional Chinese medicine xiyuan hospital comprehensive department

Efficacy and function of bitter gourd: it has the effects of dispelling summer heat, clearing away heat, improving eyesight and detoxifying; It has certain hypoglycemic, immune enhancing and anticancer effects.

Bitter gourd is an annual climbing herb of Momordica in Cucurbitaceae, also known as melon and zucchini. It is a kind of food with high nutritional value that is often eaten in daily life. Zucchini, roots, vines and leaves can all be used as medicine. Chinese medicine believes that bitter gourd is bitter in taste and cold in nature, and belongs to the heart, spleen, lung and stomach meridians; Has the effects of removing summer-heat, clearing away heat, improving eyesight and detoxicating; Can be used for treating diseases such as summer heat, polydipsia, conjunctival congestion, swelling and pain, sores and carbuncle, heatstroke, thirst quenching, dysentery, etc.

Modern research shows that bitter gourd is rich in protein, sugar, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C and other nutrients, especially the content of vitamin C is the highest among melons. Momordica charantia glycosides and insulin-like substances can play a good role in lowering blood sugar; Some protein contained in Momordica Charantia can stimulate the production of macrophages, stimulate the defense function of the immune system in vivo, increase the activity of immune cells, and have anti-cancer effects.

Precautions in application: Use with caution for those with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold. If they eat too much, they may vomit, diarrhea and abdominal pain.