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The Ampalaya, also known as Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon is a monoecious vine bearing and belonging to the plant family Cucurbitaceae. The alternate leaves are suborbicular and deeply lobed. The flowers, 5- 10 cm. long are yellow or white, and are solitarily scattered all over the vine. The bitter fruit has an oblong shape and rough outer surface. The flat seeds embedded in the fruits are also bitter. The young leaves, shoots and fruit are eaten as vegetables.
MEDICINAL USE:
* Antidiabetic, cardiotonic, anthelmintic, laxative, digestive stimulant, in respiratory diseases, biliousness, anaemia, jaundice, rheumatism, gout, urinary discharges, and piles.
* Chest problems.
* Kills lice.
* Malaria, enlarged spleen and coughs.
* Fractures, bone dislocations, swellings, tumours, abscess of the breast, bruises, ulcers and general wounds.
HOW TO USE:
* According to well- known Ayurvedic practices, the regular use of the fresh fruit juice is antidiabetic, cardiotonic, anthelmintic laxative, and digestive stimulant. It is also useful in respiratory diseases, biliousness, anaemia, jaundice, rheumatism, gout, urinary discharges, and piles.
* The root of this plant is used for chest problems, either in decoction or in powder form.
* The washing of the head with the root decoction is said to kill lice.
* The seeds, in infusion, are used for chronic malaria, enlarged spleen, and coughs. The powder of the seed diluted in warm water has the same effect.
* Used externally, the seeds are applied in the form of a paste in fractures, bone dislocations, swellings, tumours, abscess of the breast, bruises, ulcer and general wounds.
PARTS USED:
The fruit, root and the seeds.
DOSE:
Normal Dosage For:
Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day
A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp
1 litre = 7 or 8 cups