Balsam pear

Balsam Pear

The Balsam Pear, also known as bitter melon, bitter gourd, or Momordica charantia, is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown for its edible fruit. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit.

Description

Balsam Pear is a tendril-bearing vine, growing up to 5 meters. The plant bears simple, alternate leaves 4–12 cm across, with three to seven deeply separated lobes. Each plant bears separate yellow male and female flowers. The fruit has a distinct warty exterior and an oblong shape. It is hollow in cross-section, with a relatively thin layer of flesh surrounding a central seed cavity filled with large, flat seeds and pith.

Cultivation and uses

Balsam Pear is widely cultivated across tropical regions for its bitter fruit. The fruit is most often eaten green, or as it is beginning to turn yellow. It is also used in traditional medicine practices, particularly in Ayurveda, where it is thought to be a powerful treatment for diabetes.

Nutritional value

Balsam Pear is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. It contains iron, magnesium, potassium and vitamins like A and C. It contains twice the calcium of spinach, beta-carotene of broccoli, and the potassium of a banana.

Health benefits

Balsam Pear has been used in various Asian and African traditional medicine systems for a long time. It is believed to be helpful in treating diabetes and psoriasis. It has also been thought that Balsam Pear may help in the treatment of HIV, but more research is needed in this area.

See also

• Cucurbitaceae
• Ayurveda
• Traditional medicine

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