Bitter Gourd Herb
Momordica charantia
Bitter Gourd Herb (Momordica charantia) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Momordicin concentration is higher in leaves than fruit. Leaf flavonoids show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Chlorophyll-rich fractions may provide additional antioxidant protection during GI transit.
| Botanical name | Momordica charantia |
|---|---|
| Family | Cucurbitaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Cucurbitales |
| Also known as | Bitter Gourd Herb, BitterGourdHerb |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2874581 · Wikidata Q428750 · NCBI Taxonomy 3673 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Bitter_Gourd_Herb |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Swarasa (leaf/vine juice), Churna (dried leaf/vine powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Lepa (paste for external use)
Standard Dosage: 10-20ml leaf juice twice daily; 2-4g vine/leaf powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; external paste as needed for skin conditions
Bioavailability: Aerial parts (leaves, stems, tendrils) contain similar but not identical phytochemical profile to fruit. Momordicin concentration is higher in leaves than fruit. Leaf flavonoids show moderate oral bioavailability (20-35%). Chlorophyll-rich fractions may provide additional antioxidant protection during GI transit. Juice from fresh leaves provides optimal bioavailability.
Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach for metabolic benefits; leaf juice before meals; external paste applied to affected areas twice daily
Standardized Extract: Leaf extract standardized to total flavonoids NLT 5%; momordicin NLT 1%. Vine extract 8:1 aqueous extract ratio.
Shelf Life: 3 days (fresh juice, refrigerated); 18 months (leaf powder); 2 years (capsule)
Storage: Fresh juice refrigerated in glass containers. Dried material in airtight, light-protected containers. Cool, dry conditions below 25°C.
Marker Compounds: Momordicin, Vicine, Rosmarinic acid, Gallic acid, Gentisic acid, Chlorogenic acid, Catechin, Epicatechin
Extraction Methods
- Fresh leaf juice extraction (Swarasa)
- Aqueous decoction of dried aerial parts
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for flavonoid-rich fractions
- Ethanol extraction for alkaloid profiling
- Shade-drying followed by mechanical grinding for powder
Synergistic Combinations
- With Neem leaves for skin and blood purification
- With Guduchi for immunomodulatory formulations
- With Haridra for anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial use
- With Karanja leaves for dermatological applications
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1
- 2021. Clinical trials with plants in diabetes mellitus therapy: a systematic reviewExpert review of clinical pharmacology. PMID 33884948 · doi:10.1080/17512433.2021.1917380
Randomised controlled trials2
- 2020. Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusComplementary therapies in medicine. PMID 32951763 · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524
- 2003. Effect of bitter melon (Momordica charantia Linn) on level and function of natural killer cells in cervical cancer patients with radiotherapyJournal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet. PMID 12678140
Other clinical studies and reviews9
- 2024. Momordica charantia Bioactive Components: Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Benefits Through Gut Health ModulationJournal of medicinal food. PMID 38770678 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2024.k.0037
- 2024. Therapeutic Potential of Momordicine I from Momordica charantia: Cardiovascular Benefits and MechanismsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39408847 · doi:10.3390/ijms251910518
- 2023. The Management of Diabetes Mellitus Using Medicinal Plants and VitaminsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 37240430 · doi:10.3390/ijms24109085
- 2023. The Role of Bitter Melon in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Prevention and TherapyInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 37240264 · doi:10.3390/ijms24108918
- 2022. Bioactives of Momordica charantia as Potential Anti-Diabetic/Hypoglycemic AgentsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35408574 · doi:10.3390/molecules27072175
- 2019. The Role of Momordica charantia in Resisting ObesityInternational journal of environmental research and public health. PMID 31487939 · doi:10.3390/ijerph16183251
- 2019. Emerging Antitumor Activities of the Bitter Melon (Momordica charantia)Current protein & peptide science. PMID 29932035 · doi:10.2174/1389203719666180622095800
- 2017. Recent Advances in Momordica charantia: Functional Components and Biological ActivitiesInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 29182587 · doi:10.3390/ijms18122555
- 2016. Promise of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) bioactives in cancer prevention and therapySeminars in cancer biology. PMID 27452666 · doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2016.07.002
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