Ampalaya as an Herb

Ampalaya is used as an alternative herbal remedy for diabetes and a host of other conditions. This climbing vine produces a fruit that looks like a bumpy cucumber, and is native to southern Asia. It is sold in Asian grocery stores, and can also be obtained from traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. Check with your doctor before adding it to your regimen, especially if you are attempting to treat a medical condition, take prescription medications or have an existing medical condition.

Identification

Ampalaya goes by many names. It's also known as bitter melon, balsam pear, bitter gourd, momordica, cerasee and karela, according to Phyllis Balch in "Prescription for Herbal Healing." Its official plant name is Momordica charantia L. It is sometimes called balsam apple, bitter apple or carilla gourd as well.

Significance

Ampalaya is traditionally used as an herbal diabetes mellitus remedy because it can help lower blood glucose, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. Preliminary clinical studies back ampalaya's effectiveness, the center reports. The herb also may be helpful if you suffer from breast cancer. The recommended dose is 200 mg up to three times a day for immune and anticancer support, according to UMMC.

Potential

Ampalaya is traditionally used to treat infections, notes Balch. The herb has also been used to treat several other conditions. These include colitis, ulcers, gastrointestinal upset, constipation, kidney stones, psoriasis and intestinal worms, note George T. Grossberg and Barry Fox in "The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide." The fruit, leaves and seeds are all utilized medicinally. The leaves and fruit have a bitter taste because of their alkaloid content, notes the University of California, Davis, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. A typical dose of ampalaya is 2 oz juice or 15 gm aqueous extract. The extract is often sold by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

Considerations

Ampalaya can cause side effects. These include vomiting and nausea, say Grossberg and Fox. Risk for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, increases if ampalya is taken along with chlorpropamide or other drugs taken to manage diabetes, notes Drugs.com.

Warning

Do not take ampalaya if you are nursing or pregnant. This herb can lead to uterine contractions and bleeding, and it may induce abortion, according to the experts at Drugs.com. Also, there is a toxicity risk for children if they consume the red arils around the seeds. In animals, ampalaya has caused hepatotoxic, or liver-damaging, effects, according to Drugs.com. However, it's rare for people who use ampalaya long-term to develop liver damage, says Balch. But do not use ampalaya if you have HIV/AIDS, a history of liver infection, a history of hepatitis or a history of cirrhosis.