Bitter melon (Momordica charantia).Plant Part Used: Leaf, stem, aerial parts.Dominican Medicinal Uses: Leaf, stem: decoction, orally, for diabetes, fever, stomach problems, menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, vaginal infection, excess vaginal discharge, sexually transmitted infection, menopausal hot flashes, cancer; fresh juice or decoction, poultice or wash, topically, for skin rash, measles, insect bites, itching and skin infection.Safety: Shown to be relatively non-toxic for internal and external use in animal studies.Contraindications: Pregnancy, lactation, children < 3 years.Laboratory & Preclinical Data: In vitro: anthelmintic (fresh fruit juice), antimicrobial (leaf and extracts).* See entry for Cundeamor in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.
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