Bitter Melon Tea Benefits

Bitter melon is a member of the squash family of plants commonly found in Asia, Middle East and South America. Also known as bitter gourd, bitter cucumber and karela, bitter melon is a climbing vine bearing green fruits. One of the greatest physicians, pharmacologists and naturalists in China’s history, Li Shizhen has rightly said that bitter melon is ‘bitter in taste, non-toxic, expelling evil heat, relieving fatigue and illuminating.’ Bitter melon tea has a number of health benefits that have been exploited since old times. The tea is prepared from fruits and leaves of the plant. Read through the following lines to know the health benefits of drinking bitter melon tea.

Health Benefits Of Drinking Bitter Melon Tea

Bitter melon tea has been used in Asian traditional medicines for treating diabetes since a long time.
Latest research states that bitter melon tea elevates blood sugar levels, stimulating digestion and increasing insulin sensitivity.
Bitter melon tea is highly recommended to people suffering from sluggish digestion, dyspepsia and constipation.
Since ages, bitter melon tea has been used to prevent and treat malaria. Studies have also indicated that bitter melon contains anti-malarial properties.
Bitter melon contains compounds that are known to treat HIV/ AIDS infection.
It contains compounds that help in regulating fuel metabolism and enabling glucose uptake.
Fruits and leaves of bitter melon are a good source of vitamins B and minerals such as iron, calcium and phosphorus.
The extract of bitter melon leaves is also known to shrink hemorrhoids.
Bitter melon leaves help in preventing and lessening cough and fever.
Due to its antimicrobial properties, bitter melon tea is useful for treating infected wounds. It also works well for treating roundworms.
One research has indicated that bitter melon tea can be used for treating sterility in women and alleviating liver problems.

Bitter Melon Recipe

Dry the bitter melon leaves over a couple of days and store them in an airtight container.
To prepare the tea, wash some bitter melon leaves thoroughly.
Chop them finely to get about 6 tablespoons of leaves.
Add the leaves to 2 glasses of water in a pot.
Boil the water for 15 minutes uncovered.
Remove and cool the tea.
Strain thereafter.
Divide the tea into 3 parts and consume three times a day.

Caution

Bitter melon tea should be avoided by people with heartburns and ulcer problems as it can worsen the conditions.
The tea should not be consumed by children and pregnant women as it can cause constrictions in uterus.
Excessive consumption of bitter melon tea can lead to diarrhea, pain in the abdomen, liver inflammation and spontaneous abortion.
Individuals have also reported gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, and central nervous system reactions like headache after consuming bitter melon tea.
Since it can reduce fertility in both men and women, it should be avoided by couples trying to conceive a child.
It is best to consult a physician before taking bitter melon tea.

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