苦瓜 / 野苦瓜 / 凉瓜 — Momordica charantia L. (incl. var. abbreviata)

Pinyin: Kǔguā / Yěkǔguā · Malay: Peria Katak / Peria Laut · Family: Cucurbitaceae (葫芦科)

Energetics

Cold (寒)

Flavor

Extremely Bitter (甚苦)

Meridians

Heart (心), Spleen (脾), Stomach (胃), Liver (肝)

Traditional Edict

Clears summer-heat and resolves thirst, purges liver fire, brightens vision, and quenches diabetes (Xiao Ke / 消渴). Sovereign bitter melon in Lingnan and Malay ethnobotany.

Cautions & Contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnancy (contains vicine/momorcharins with abortifacient risk) and individuals with G6PD deficiency (favism risk from vicine).

Clinical Applications

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance, diabetic retinopathy, hyperlipidemia, summer-heat heatstroke, and acute conjunctivitis.

Quality Markers

Charantin (苦瓜苷) & Polypeptide-k >= 0.50% (HPLC MHM standard)

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Charantin (steroidal saponin mixture) and Polypeptide-k act as plant insulin mimetics, stimulating AMPK and GLUT4 glucose uptake. 2. Cucurbitane-type triterpenoids inhibit a-glucosidase and stimulate pancreatic b-cell insulin secretion. 3. Vitamin C and momordicines scavenge oxidative radicals.

Preparation & Dosage

Fresh wild fruit sliced or juiced: 50-100 g daily. Sliced dried fruit/leaf tea: 10-20 g. Standardized Charantin extract: 300-600 mg.

Appended Prescriptions

1. Nanyang Metabolic Glycemic Decoction with Gynura procumbens (Sambung Nyawa) and Piper sarmentosum (Kaduk). 2. Summer-Heat Vision-Clearing Tea with Chrysanthemum morifolium and Goji Berry.

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Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only