Momordica

Momordica (Momordica charantia) is a tropical and a subtropical vine that belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. It is widespread throughout Asia and Africa for its fruits and leaves, which are edible. It is an annual herbaceous plant with a trunk that can reach up to 5 meters in height. It is very often used in Ayurvedic medicine. It has many different names, among which “bitter squash” because its fully ripe fruit is very bitter: in order to avoid this problem, they are usually gathered before they are fully mature. Its most notable quality is that it affects carbohydrate metabolization. It also helps upper airway function, blood pressure, digestive function and bowel movements regularity.