Bitter Melon
(Momordica charantia)

General Info

Active Forms

Absorption

Dietary Sources

Dosage Info

Dosage Range 200-400mg (standardized extract), 2-3 times daily. Most Common Dosage 200mg (standardized extract), 2 times daily. Dosage Forms		Adult RDI Adult ODA

Overview

Interactions

Drug/Herb Interactions
•	insulin
•	Diabetic / Hypoglycemic medications

Bitter melon or karela fruit has long been used in South America and the Orient as not only a food but as febrifuge, abortifacient, emmenagogue, vermifuge, anti-viral, emetic, antihelmintic, and antidiabetic agent among other uses.(1) Recent studies have focused on the beneficial properties of the fruit in diabetes and hyperinsulinemia, peptic ulcers, HIV viral infection, and certain cancers.(2, 3, 4, 5)

Toxicities & Precautions

General
No toxicity is reported in recommended dosages.

Health Conditions
Do not use in individuals with existing liver disease including alcoholic cirrhosis.(6)

Pregnancy/Breast-Feeding
Based on animal data, do not use in pregnancy due to abortifacient activity.(7) If nursing, consult a physician before use.

Age Limitations
Do not use in children under 2 years of age unless recommended by a physician.

Symptoms & Causes of Deficiency

Footnotes

¹ Zhu ZJ, et al. Studies on the active constituents of Momordica charantia L. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao. 1990;25(12):898-903.
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² Khanna P, et al. Hypoglycemic Activity of Polypeptide-P From a Plant Source. J Nat Prod. Nov1981; 44(6):648-55.
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³ Lee-Huang S, et al. Anti-HIV and Anti-Tumor Activities of Recombinant MAP30 From Bitter Melon. Gene. Aug1995;161(2):151-56.
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⁴ Leatherdale BA, et al. Improvement in Glucose Tolerance Due to Momordica Charantia (Karela). Br Med J. (Clin Res Ed). Jun1981;282(6279):1823-24.
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⁵ Day C, Cartwright T, Provost J, et al. Hypoglycaemic Effect of Momordica charantia Extracts. Planta Med. Oct1990;56(5):426-9.
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⁶ Tennekoon KH, et al. Effect of Momordica Charantia on Key Hepatic Enzymes. J Ethnopharmacol. Oct1994;44(2):93-97.
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⁷ Leung SO, et al. The Immunosuppressive Activities of Two Abortifacient Proteins Isolated From the Seeds of Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia). Immunopharmacology. Jun1987;13(3):159-71.
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Bitter Melon(Momordica charantia)

Bitter Melon
(Momordica charantia)