Ampalaya

 Family cucurbitache

Scientific name: momordica charantia l.

 local names

          amargoso (Sp)

          ampalaya (Tag)

          ampalia (Tag)

          apalaya (Tag)

          apalia (Pamp)

          apape (lbn)

          apapet (Itn)

          margoso (Tag)

          palia (Bis, Bon, If)

          paria Bis, Bon If, Ik)

          pulia (Sub)

          saligun (Sul)

          african cucumber (Engl)

          balsam apple (Engl)

          balsam pear (Engl)

          bitter gourd (Engl)

          tuberculated momordica (Engl)

Traditional uses

A root

            1. an ingredient in a mixture used to stimulate sexual desire

            2. strong decoction used to induce abortion

            3. poultice applied on hemorrhoids

            4. decoction used for cleaning wounds

B. leaves

            1. poultice applied for headache

            2. juice given to children with cough

            3. juice taken in to expel intestinal worms

            4. juice taken in for diarrhea

            5. juice drunk to promote menstrual flow and childbirth

            6. juice drunk to reduce fever

            7. poultice applied on wounds, burns, scalds, and skin diseases

            8. juice mixed with coconut oil is appied to scabies

C. fruit

            1. juice taken in for dysentery

            2. juice drunk to expel intestinal

            3. juice used to promote bowel movement

            4. eaten to alleviate certain diseases of the spleen and liver, rheumatism and gout

            5. oil extract applied on

Research findings

            leaves contain bitter alkaloid(momorcidin and glucoside).           

            juice of ampalya increases intestinal peritalsis (rhythmic, wave like motion).

            decoction of ampalaya leaves shows hypoglycemic property (lowers level of blood sugar).

            a part of juice of ampalya leaves mixed with an equal part of coconut oil  is suggested to be effective for curing scabies.

            extracts of ampalya leaves have been  found to have antibacterial properties particularly against gram- positive bacteria.

Food values

            both the fruit and the young leaves are eaten as vegetables. they are a good source of iron, calcium, phosphorous, vitamins A, B and C and folic acid.

Botanical and agricultural  characteristics

            habit: vine

            habitat: settled areas, thickets, waste places

            propagation: seed

Recommneded medicinal uses

            for wounds: the extract of fresh ampalya leaves  is appied on affected areas.

            for scabies: the leaves are warmed with equal parts of coconut oil applied accordingly.

            for intestinal worms: one teaspoonful of the juice of the leaves with one teaspoon of coconut milk is taken once a day.