(crazy cucumber, Indian pomegranate, bitter gourd, balsam pear) - a very beautiful plant from the tropics. Bright yellow flowers on long stalks with a pleasant aroma look impressive against the background of carved light green leaves. The plant is also very decorative during the ripening period of the fruits, which acquire an orange-yellow color. During the growth period, all organs of the plant burn when touched, like nettles. However, when the first ripe fruits appear, the momordica stops “biting.”
This genus of annual climbing herbaceous plants of the pumpkin family is cultivated in many countries, mainly in Asia. It has valuable medicinal properties and has edible fruits.
The fruits are rounded and elongated and covered with fleshy small spines. When ripe, the fruit turns yellow and then turns bright orange. Ripe fruits crack with three leaves, on which there are large flat seeds placed in a red capsule. The fruit tastes pleasant, reminiscent of ripe persimmon.
Medicinal properties
Momordica fruits contain vitamins A, B, C, E, F, microelements, proteins, carbohydrates and a lot of folic acid.
Biologically active substances contained in fruits and seeds reduce total cholesterol levels and stimulate insulin production. Momordica is one of the few plants that contains charantin, a substance that lowers blood sugar levels.
It is used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, liver diseases, stomach ulcers, urolithiasis, to strengthen the immune system, for colds and flu, headaches and joint pain, burns, psoriasis, and some types of cancer.
Momordica improves visual acuity and treats eye diseases.
Features of cultivation
The ripening period of momordica is very long, so it is recommended to grow it through seedlings in order to shorten the growing season in open ground.
Momordica is grown like cucumbers. At the beginning of March, seeds are sown in 0.5 liter pots to obtain seedlings, and then planted in open ground.
The seed coat is rich in starch and carotenoids and serves as a nutrient for their growth and development. Sow the seeds on the edge to a depth of 1-1.5 cm in warm, moist soil (temperature 22-24°C). Under such conditions, seedlings appear within a week.
They are regularly sprayed with warm water.
When two true leaves appear, the seedlings are planted in open ground, being careful not to damage the root system (along with the lump of earth), otherwise the plants will get sick for a long time or may die completely.
As with all pumpkin plants, picking is unacceptable.
The plant is quite heat-loving, so seedlings are planted when the threat of frost has passed, in well-warmed areas.
The largest plants are selected and placed at intervals of 35-50 cm with row spacing of 50 cm. You can grow them without tying them up, like cucumbers, or put them along a gazebo or fence.
Good illumination of the plant when grown vertically helps to obtain maximum yield.
Momordica is also grown without seedlings. The seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours, then placed in a wet cloth (sawdust) and kept moist. After 3-4 days, small roots appear and the seeds are planted in open ground. This is done in May, when the threat of return frosts has passed. Such plants sprout vigorously and develop quickly.
Momordica grows well in any soil with the addition of humus. Does not tolerate excessive moisture. They feed it during the growing season every 2 weeks with mineral or organic fertilizers.
It forms a large number of stepsons that thicken the bush. Most often, 3 main shoots are left on the plant, removing all unnecessary shoots. When shaping, wear gloves to avoid damaging your hands. It is because of this that the plant is practically not formed, allowing it to develop independently.
Stepchildren can be used for reproduction. To do this, cuttings with two well-developed leaves are cut from the bottom of the stepsons and placed in warm water (at least 25°C). After 12-14 days, the first roots appear, and after a month the cuttings can be planted in a permanent place. After planting, the plants are well watered and shaded for 2-3 days.
Unlike other pumpkins, momordica is close in size to a cucumber. The fruits are small and the stem does not bend under their weight, supporting a large number of them.
And one more feature. Fresh fruits are bitter, so before eating they are soaked in salted water for 10-12 hours, after which they are tasted. If the bitterness is felt like that of bitter cucumbers, continue soaking in new salted water. Then the thin, thorny peel is cut off and used to make salads.
Momordica is stewed, salted or pickled like cucumbers.
To preserve the fruit, wash it, cut it into pieces, remove the seeds and peel the skin.
The fruits are placed in sterilized jars and garlic, dill, black currant leaves, and allspice are added. Pour boiling marinade over and roll up.
Marinade: 1 tbsp for 1 liter of water. salt, sugar, vinegar.
Its tubers, leaves and young shoots are also edible, which are used fresh in salads or to prepare vegetable soups.
Knots for memory
- When ripe, the fruit cracks and shoots out its seeds several meters along with mucus. For this plant, it was nicknamed “mad cucumber.”
- Seeds are not always available for sale; more often they are obtained from bright orange fruits. It is enough to wash and dry them, and sow them in pots in the spring.
- 10-day-old green fruits are eaten because the more mature ones contain a lot of bitterness.
- With a lack of light and nutrition, small fruits are formed and the ovaries often fall off.
- With the help of this plant you can create a picturesque fence or wall. The stem of momordica with the help of tendrils entwines any trellis and its length reaches 5 m. The openwork leaves of momordica have different shades.
In the collections of lovers of exotic plants, fruit crops usually predominate and tropical vegetables are extremely rare. However, gardeners have nothing to fear: almost all the vegetable crops that we are accustomed to seeing in our beds are representatives of the flora of the tropics and subtropics. For example, the common and familiar cucumber is actually an Indian vine. So you can safely experiment with rarer and more interesting vegetables.
In recent years, tropical plants - lianas - have become extremely popular among amateur gardeners. With cascades of bright, emerald greenery, they perfectly decorate garden houses, gazebos, verandas; with amazingly fragrant, beautiful flowers they create an exciting, festive, uplifting mood. Few people know that the benefits of these vines are threefold - in addition to their stunning decorative properties, the fruits of some of them have long been eaten, exotic, gourmet dishes are prepared from them, and the pulp of the fruits, seeds, leaves and roots also have numerous, unique, healing medicinal properties .
Momordica
One of the best representatives of these vines is the newest, rare plant in our gardens - Momordica charantia. Despite its tropical origin, it grows well, bears fruit abundantly, bringing great joy to its owners, bestowing exotic, large, amazingly beautiful and extremely healing fruits. A short summer is quite enough for their ripening, vegetable use and the preparation of excellent medicinal raw materials.
According to the biological classification, momordika charantia L. is a plant from the pumpkin family, which includes over 45 species of vines growing in tropical regions of the world. The scientific name comes from Lat. momordicus - “biting”, due to the fact that while the plant is developing, its leaves burn a little when touched.
In our country, 2 species of this plant are grown - Momordica charantia (Indian pomegranate)
And momordica balsamia L. (balsam pear).
The historical homeland of this rare plant is the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, India and Indochina. This plant has been diligently cultivated as a vegetable and medicinal plant since ancient times in Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Tibet. In Ancient China, only the emperor and members of his family were allowed to eat it, and in India it was considered a plant of the gods and was used in sacred rites, where it received its second name - “harantia”, from the word “harma” (karma), which means "sacred" in its highest sense.
Momordica charantia is an annual, strongly branching vine up to 3 m long with very beautiful carved, bright emerald leaves, reminiscent of grape leaves. It blooms continuously all summer with bright yellow, beautiful, shiny flowers that have an amazing aroma that attracts many bees and other beneficial insects.
An excellent honey plant that produces healing, medicinal honey, is unpretentious and not affected by pests and diseases. Momordica is perfectly suited for growing in winter in a room on a window or a warm balcony, creating comfort and an atmosphere of hot summer.
It begins to bear fruit from mid-June until late frosts. The fruits are covered with decorative soft teeth similar to thorns, which gives them the appearance of prehistoric dragons of emerald green, and at the stage of full ripeness, bright orange, with a golden tint, a stunningly beautiful color.
When ripe, they open into 3 curved petals, to which are attached from the inside berries the size of a cherry, ruby-bright red, pearlescent in color.
The berries have a magnificent, incomparable exotic taste, delicate aroma, reminiscent of persimmon, sugar watermelon with a hint of the sweetest, honeyed, ripe melon at the same time; inside the berries there are coffee-colored seeds of an original shape with a fancy pattern reminiscent of the Indian national ornament, a real work of art.
Momordica is propagated by seeds. She loves fertile soil and organic fertilizers, is light-loving, and grows only in well-lit places sheltered from the wind.
Momordica was well known and eaten many thousands of years ago. It was a favorite vegetable crop in India, Southeast Asia and Africa, where it was traditional for preparing exotic dishes. Images of her are found on stone slabs of ancient monuments of the Mayan people, and the first Europeans who came to Brazil and South America mentioned her in the 16th-17th centuries.
Nowadays, the food use of momordica is very diverse. It has an increased nutritional value, significantly superior to peppers and eggplants. It contains a lot of protein, carbohydrates, sugars, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A, B, B", E (protects against premature aging), F - which creates a feeling of vigor and strength, ascorbic acid. Tender young shoots and leaves are consumed fresh for preparing salads, vinaigrettes, delicious borscht, vegetable medicinal soups are made from them. They are especially rich in valuable folic acid, the lack of which affects the bone marrow, increasing the risk of developing cancerous tumors. The fruits are harvested green, they are very tasty, the more mature ones acquire a piquant pungency. taste.
Large, fleshy fruits are good when fried in vegetable oil. They are stewed, boiled, salted, pickled, and cooked from them. delicious vegetable caviar; used for various winter. preparations and canning.
A popular exotic delicacy, curry, is prepared from momordica - a spicy seasoning made from a mixture of spicy-flavoring plants, used as a side dish for meat and fish dishes, which greatly increases appetite and absorption of food. Momordiki jam is very tasty. By adding alcohol to the jam syrup, liqueurs, wines, tinctures, liqueurs, and tonics are made.
The sweetest bright ruby, shiny berries contained inside the fruit with an excellent taste of tropical fruits are especially appetizing.
They are rich in vitamins and contain many essential microelements. The seeds contain 32% essential medicinal oil momordicin, rich in healing carotene. They taste like resinous hazelnuts with a hint of pineapple and are used in cooking for sprinkling on pastries, cakes and cookies.
The medicinal uses of momordica are widespread and multifaceted. Its enormous healing power and medicinal properties have long been used in Indian, Chinese and Tibetan medicine. In India, momordica was used to save people from death from snake bites. A manuscript found in a Tibetan monastery said that Momordica cures more than a thousand diseases. All parts of the plant are used for treatment: roots, leaves, seeds, flowers and fruits. It is especially widely used in Tibetan-Chinese medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, stomach ulcers, lowering blood sugar levels, producing insulin and curing diabetes, slowing aging and prolonging active longevity. Nowadays, momordica is widely used as a medicine to destroy cancer cells, bacteria, viruses, lower blood pressure, treat hypertension, hemorrhoids, increase immunity, and as a pain reliever. Many unique healing substances were discovered in momordica, not found in other medicinal plants. The culture is recognized as official medicine, many drugs are prepared from it - Momordica compositum, Hepel, Hepar chelidonium,
Gomaccord et al.
Momordica has a number of common names: Indian cucumber, mad cucumber, mad melon, bitter gourd, balsam pear. Caring for momordica is similar to the agricultural techniques of other pumpkin crops, but it also has its own characteristics. It can be successfully grown on a windowsill, loggia or balcony. At the dacha, it is better to place the momordica in a greenhouse or hotbed.
We can recommend two ways to consume momordica: frying finely chopped slices of ripe fruit in olive oil and marinating. The peel of the fruit is cut off along with the tubercles to eliminate bitterness. Momordica fruits contain many useful components and vitamins. Momordica seeds are used in medicine for peptic ulcers, as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fever agent. Momordica balsamic is used in homeopathy.
Momordica charantia is an annual, highly branched, herbaceous climbing vine of the Cucurbitaceae family, common in Southeast Asia. In Southern China, India and the Philippines, this plant grows on slopes in foothill forests at an altitude of up to 1300 m. The name comes from the Latin momordicus - “biting” and, apparently, is due to the fact that while the plant is developing, all its organs burn when touched to them like nettles. But when the first ripe fruits appear, the momordica stops “biting.” The fruits are used fresh or pickled.
Momordica with its dense foliage and large bright yellow-orange pimply “cucumbers” is also attractive as an ornamental plant. Its leaves are palmate-lobed, bright green, and medium-sized. Momordica blooms in June, when the side shoots begin to actively grow. The flowers are five-petaled, unisexual, yellow or with a slightly reddish tint, and have a delicate, pleasant aroma.
First, barren flowers (male flowers) appear, and then female flowers are formed. When ripe, the fruits first gradually turn yellow and then become bright orange. The taste of momordica is reminiscent of a very ripe pumpkin with a bitter surface. When the fruits ripen and burst, red grains peek out picturesquely: around each seed there is a juicy amniotic membrane of a dark red color with a pleasant taste.
Momordica (“momordica” translated from Latin means “biting”) is a herbaceous climbing vine with intricate fruits that resemble an oblong. Other names for the plant are Chinese bitter, Indian cucumber. The surface of all parts of the momordica is covered with glandular hairs that irritate human skin and cause burns.
The plant's homeland is the tropics and subtropics of Australia, Africa, and Asia. Many amateur gardeners grow the crop as an ornamental plant in greenhouses, on balconies or window sills.
Botanical description
Momordica is an annual or perennial vine with long stems reaching 2-5 meters in length. The leaves are large, carved, and light green in color. Flowering coincides with the active formation of shoots. The flowers are bright yellow, dioecious, on long stalks, and emit a jasmine scent.
The ovaries develop immediately after pollination. The outside of the fruit is covered with wrinkled skin (nipple-like protrusions) of an elongated oval shape with a pointed tip.
The seeds of the Indian cucumber are protected by a thin, durable shell; they are similar in size to watermelon kernels and are red-brown in color. Inside the momordica there is a juicy pericarp of a dark ruby hue. It tastes like pumpkin and... The papillary surface of the berry is bitter. When ripe, the fruit cracks in the lower part, followed by twisting into three fleshy petals, from which 15-30 seeds fall out.
Chemical composition
Momordica is a medicinal plant, the shoots, fruits, stems and leaves of which contain a complex of nutrients:
- complex;
- linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic;
- glycosides;
- resins;
- phenol;
- alkaloids.
The composition of the red seed shell includes essential oil, which contains healing carotene (32%). In the human body, orange plant pigment is converted into vitamin A, which helps improve visual acuity. Bitter melon seeds are rich in lycopene, which has a high antioxidant effect and prevents the occurrence of heart and vascular diseases.
Useful properties
Among the beneficial properties of momordica are:
- Relieves vitamin deficiency.
- Improves the condition of teeth.
- Regulates redox processes in the body (suppresses the development of cancer cells).
- Has an anti-inflammatory effect.
- Maintains normal blood clotting, blood vessel permeability, functioning, and bone apparatus.
- Stimulates insulin production.
- Removes toxins.
- Destroys bacteria and viruses.
Indications for use
Thanks to its rich chemical composition, momordica has a healing effect on the human body and is used to treat:
“Biting” Indian cucumber is a natural antiviral, antimicrobial, and analgesic. Strengthens, improves potency (shows aphrodisiac properties), cleanses, reduces blood levels.
Contraindications
The plant is prohibited to be consumed in the following cases:
- with individual intolerance;
- during pregnancy (momordica exhibits an abortifacient effect);
- during lactation;
- for diseases of the adrenal glands, stomach, thyroid gland.
Use in cooking
The pulp of momordica is eaten in an unripe state, so it does not taste bitter and tastes like a cucumber.
It is recommended to collect the fruits 8-10 days after appearance. When ripe, the berry acquires an orange tint, becomes softer, but more bitter, and the seeds are sweeter. The latter are eaten raw. Seeds can be heat treated. When exposed to high temperatures they become softer.
Indian cucumber is a food product widely used in Asian cuisines. It is especially loved in Okinawa (on the island of the Japanese Ryukyu archipelago). The pulp and seeds of the fruits of the climbing vine are fried, boiled, and added to stews, soups, and salads. Momordica goes well with unsweetened yogurt, meat, and cucumbers. Bitter melon has gained popularity in the cuisines of Amazonian tribes, where it is used as a spice to impart a sour taste and piquant aroma. To soften the bitter tint, the berries are pre-cooked in salted water. Large fruits are pickled and stewed with vegetables and meat.
Interestingly, momordica is a component of curry seasoning. It is combined with herbs and added to meat and fish dishes. Jam is made from the pulp of the fruit, and homemade alcoholic drinks (liqueurs, tinctures, wine) are prepared. The berries contained inside the fruit are of particular value to culinary experts. Thanks to their nutty-tropical taste, the seeds serve as a natural additive to confectionery products - buns, cookies, cakes.
Application in medicine
From all parts of the momordica, tinctures and preparations are made for the treatment of burns, dermal diseases (eczema, psoriasis), and furunculosis. An extract from the plant is used in cosmetology to increase skin tightness and smooth out wrinkles. Chinese bitter melon removes excess fat from the body, so this property determines the use of the product in dietary nutrition for weight loss.
Use in medicine:
- Seeds. They contain fatty oils and carotene, which reduce cholesterol levels, increase hemoglobin and strengthen the immune system. In addition, they are used to treat diseases, and.
- Leaves. Decoctions help overcome coughs, pain of various etiologies, and colds. Infusions from momordica leaves are used to lower blood pressure, normalize insulin production and blood levels. Therefore, decoctions are useful for patients with diabetes and hypertension.
- Fruit. They help restore vision, cleanse blood vessels from cholesterol plaques, reduce the likelihood of developing heart disease, and suppress the aggressive effects of cancer cells.
In traditional medicine, Indian cucumber is used to produce preparations in the form of a solution for internal administration for treatment (acute or chronic) that stabilize the functions of the pancreas. In order to improve the patient's condition, the course of taking the drug lasts 3-5 weeks. The dosage and frequency of use are determined by the doctor based on the clinical history.
As a rule, for adults this is 1-3 times, 1 ampoule every 7 days, for children under two years old - ¼ part at a time, for a child from 2 to 6 years old - ½ ampoule at a time, for children over 6 years old - a whole ampoule.
Traditional recipes:
- Fruit tincture. Used to treat psoriasis, rheumatism, colds and general strengthening of the immune system. Method of preparation: finely chop the fruits, place in a glass container, pour 500 ml, leave for 14 days. Take on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 3 days.
- Decoction of seeds. Used as a diuretic for fever and to treat hemorrhoids. Preparation principle: pour 20 g of momordica seeds into 200 ml of boiling water, cook for 10 minutes. Leave the broth for 1 hour, then strain. Take 50 ml 3-4 times a day for 7 days.
The information is not a guide for self-medication, but serves as a simplification of the official version of the instructions for the drug. Before taking the product, consult a specialist.
Growing and care
Momordica can be grown in a room (on a windowsill, balcony), in a greenhouse or a greenhouse as a vegetable garden crop or an ornamental plant.
Indian cucumber is propagated by seeds, rarely by cuttings. This heat-loving vine reaches up to 5 meters in length, forms several shoots that fix the plant with thread-like tendrils to the support. The light green leaves of momordica resemble leaves, and the bright yellow flowers resemble cucumbers. The plant looks especially impressive during the period of ripening of the fruits, hanging on thin long legs. Initially they are pearly white, then change color and become bright orange.
Momordica is planted in open ground. Due to the dense shell, the seeds of the plant are pre-soaked in a saturated solution of potassium permanganate (1 day), then in warm water. After processing, they are rinsed, placed in a damp cloth, which is wrapped in plastic film and placed in a warm place where the temperature is maintained at 30-40 degrees above zero. After pecking, each seed is placed on its edge in a half-liter glass in nutrient soil 1.5 cm deep. Then cover with glass or a bag. The seedlings are planted in fertile soil and watered with warm water. Protect the plant from sudden temperature changes and drafts. Further care is the same as for cucumbers. Apply fertilizing (organic and mineral) regularly 2 times a month.
It is better to plant seeds in late March-early April. At temperatures above +20 degrees, seedlings will appear in 10-15 days. In the warm season, the plant requires regular watering.
Momordica is a light-loving vine that does not tolerate shade. Lack of sunlight leads to a decrease in the number of fruits.
For propagation by cuttings, cut shoots of plants are first kept in a sand-peat mixture or water for rooting. At the same time, the ambient temperature must correspond to 25 degrees Celsius and above. After rooting, the finished cuttings can be planted in open ground. In order for the plant to take root, you should create the most comfortable conditions for its growth. For this purpose, the planted cuttings are covered with a glass jar for 2-4 days to create a “greenhouse effect.”
Momordica fruits are harvested 8-10 days after emergence, otherwise they will later acquire an unpleasant bitter taste. In addition, if a vine ripens a lot of fruits (at the same time), the plant weakens. To prevent this, collect them on time.
Conclusion
Momordica is a natural medicine that cleanses the body of various foreign pathogens. All parts of the plant are used in traditional and folk medicine as an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic.
Chinese bitter melon alleviates the condition of patients with heart attack, ulcers, diabetes, arthritis, and stroke. Decoctions and tinctures based on momordica help with urolithiasis, prostatitis and sclerosis. In addition, they improve vision and activate brain activity and the body's barrier functions.
The fruits, leaves, rhizomes, stems and seeds of the plant are contraindicated for consumption by pregnant women as they can cause miscarriage.
Fresh young shoots of Indian cucumber are used in cooking. They are used to make medicinal soups and delicious borscht. They are added to salads, vinaigrettes and meat dishes. Momordica contains vitamin E, which protects the human body from age-related changes. It protects against tumors and nourishes the bone marrow. normalizes fat metabolism, improves reproductive function, prevents atherosclerosis, prevents allergic reactions, rheumatoid diseases and osteochondrosis.
To strengthen the immune system, it is recommended to grind the momordica fruit along with the seeds in a meat grinder, add a handful and 200 ml. Leave the resulting mass for 12 hours, consume 5 g before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Due to the bitter taste, the product can be washed down with water.
Indian pomegranate, Chinese bitter melon, balsamic pear, yellow cucumber - all this is momordica, an exotic herbaceous plant created by nature for beauty and benefit.
Useful representatives of the flora, preferring a tropical climate, come from Southeast Asia and grow in the Philippines, India, South America, China, and Indonesia. Some types of Indian pomegranate are found in Crimea. Momordica, from the pumpkin family, is a close relative of cucumbers and zucchini. An amazing liana up to 4-6 m high looks impressive throughout the entire growing season. Beautiful carved leaves have the property of causing a slight burning sensation when touched - they “bite”.
Hence the name momordica, which means “biting” in Latin. It blooms throughout the summer with yellow shiny flowers with a delicate aroma that attracts insects.
Medicinal fruits with bumpy growths are shaped like an oblong pumpkin or cucumber. As they ripen, they change color from light yellow to deep orange. Ripening ends when the fruit cracks into three parts, exposing the ruby pericarp. The brown seeds with natural patterns in Indian motifs, which ripen in mid-June, are also not lacking in beauty. Their raw taste is similar to persimmon with hints of aromatic melon.
All parts of the Indian pomegranate contain useful substances: leaves, fruit pulp and seeds. The healing qualities are due to a complex of substances necessary for the body:
- proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
- amino acids;
- alkaloids;
- vitamins C, A, E, F and group B;
- mineral salts with a predominance of calcium and phosphorus;
- phenols, oils, resins, saponins;
- nicotinic and folic acids;
- charantina is a natural compound that lowers blood sugar.
Use in cooking
Tender shoots and leaves are added to salads. They make nutritious and medicinal first courses. The fruits are valued in their unripe form, when they do not yet contain the bitterness characteristic of a ripe plant. They are used to prepare vegetable side dishes, as well as caviar. Ideal for stewing, boiling, pickling, canning. They make delicious liqueurs, wines, liqueurs and even jam.
The seeds, rich in essential oils, have a special taste, successfully combining the oiliness of hazelnuts with the taste of pineapple. They are ideal for dusting pastries and baked goods.
Momordica is also certainly present among the spicy plants in Indian curry seasoning.
Healing properties
In traditional medicine, the drug “Momordica Compositum” is known ( Momordica compositum), which is obtained from the ripe fruits of the plant. It is used intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly or orally for the treatment of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Refers to homeopathic remedies and is not contraindicated in childhood, starting from 2 years.
In China, people have long paid attention to the antimicrobial and antiviral properties of the herb. It is used to treat infectious diseases of the stomach and intestines, upper respiratory tract and colds.
Momordica has justifiably joined the list of medicinal plants that enhance immunity and combat acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
In South America, the herb is used to treat hepatitis, measles, and scabies. Its properties are in demand for bites from harmful insects and snakes, and for removing helminths. A positive effect was noted for arthritis, asthma, leukemia and cancer.
Fruits and seeds reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, cleanse blood vessels, and prevent heart attacks and strokes. The healing properties of momordica help restore vision, treat psoriasis, liver and kidney diseases, increase potency and help say goodbye to bad habits such as smoking and alcoholism.
The main advantage of the herb is associated with the presence of a rare substance called charantine. The natural component restores the beta cells of the pancreas, which are responsible for the production of insulin. These unique medicinal qualities are used in endocrinology to normalize blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes.
Medicinal tinctures
The fruit of the Indian pomegranate is used for the tincture.
Remove the pulp from the berries, chop finely, fill a jar (3 liters) tightly to the top and pour in 0.5 liters of vodka. Cover with a lid and hide in a cool, dark place for 14 days to infuse.
Take the drink half an hour before meals, a teaspoon three times a day as a remedy for colds, rheumatism and increase the body's immune strength.
Seed decoction
To prepare the decoction you will need 15-20 seeds, which, crushed, are poured with a glass of boiling water. Cook over low heat for no more than 10 minutes. After an hour of infusion, strain and take a quarter glass as diuretics and antifever drugs up to 4 times a day.
In cosmetology, the herb is used in the form of tinctures. It has a rejuvenating and toning effect, tightens pores and gives the skin a blooming and velvety appearance. The plant, rich in vitamins, improves the condition of hair and nails, and gives healthy teeth.
Nutritionists use the plant’s properties to increase metabolism and remove excess fat in combination with low calorie content (100 g contains only 19 kcal). Thanks to Chinese bitter melon, you can easily lose those extra pounds.
Harm and contraindications
Exotic momordica, when consumed in excess, can cause excessive salivation and signs of poisoning. The peculiarities of its composition limit the use of the medicinal plant in the following cases:
- pregnancy due to the threat of miscarriage;
- breastfeeding;
- stomach diseases due to the risk of exacerbation;
- individual intolerance to plant components.
In recent years, gardeners and gardeners have become increasingly interested in growing exotic crops in their summer cottages, but not all of them know what momordica is and what kind of plant this unusual name is. However, this culture is so unique that it is worth paying special attention to.
Momordica is the common name for a whole genus of vines of the Cucurbitaceae family, growing in the tropics and subtropics of Asia, Australia and Africa.
Of the 20 plant species, only one is suitable for cultivation - the monoecious herbaceous vine Momordica charantia, popularly called Chinese pumpkin, balsamic pear, Indian cucumber, crazy melon and crocodile cucumber.
The lobed, intricately carved leaf blades of the plant resemble leaves in shape. watermelon or grapes and look very attractive, making the momordica plant excellent for decorative landscaping. The yellow five-petalled flowers of the vine, located in the axils of the leaves, are fragrant with jasmine.
The fruits of momordica look no less aesthetically pleasing - they are rough, covered with thorns and warty growths; during the process of ripening they turn yellow, acquiring a rich fiery orange color. At the peak of ripeness, the fruits burst, bursting open from the inside to reveal the seeds in a bright red, fleshy shell.
In Southeast Asian countries, momordica fruits are eaten as a vegetable. They are pickled, stewed, boiled, and also eaten raw. For a long time, dishes made from the fruits of this miracle liana were considered an exquisite delicacy; the honor of tasting them belonged only to members of the imperial family and representatives of high nobility.
In addition, the seeds and fruits were used to treat many diseases. Today, exotic dishes from momordica are not uncommon. To prepare a snack worthy of an emperor, you can grow the crop yourself. It is unpretentious and successfully cultivated in the changeable climate of the middle zone.
Features of growing momordica
Because momordica, even Indian, but still cucumber, the agricultural technology of its cultivation is very similar to cucumber. The most common way to grow exotic vines is to propagate momordica by seeds. By analogy with cucumbers, seeds are sown for seedlings in mid-April.
This is done like this:
- Since momordica seeds have a very dense shell, they should be soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate a day before sowing. When sowing dry seeds, the shell can be slightly filed using sandpaper or a file.
- Small pots or cups are filled with soil mixture for seedlings.
- Sowing is carried out with two seeds in each pot to a depth of 1.5-2 cm.
- Water moderately with warm water. The seedlings do not require watering in the next 2-3 days.
- You can speed up the emergence of seedlings by covering containers with crops with glass or polyethylene.
At an average temperature of +20° C to +25° C, friendly shoots of momordica appear already on the tenth day after sowing, and after 20-30 days the strengthened seedlings will be ready for planting in open ground.
In addition to propagation by seeds, cultivation of momordica can also be done by pinching. To do this, strong shoots are taken from an adult vine and placed in a nutrient substrate for rooting, after which they are transferred to the selected planting site.
Caring for a momordica plant
Momordica is planted in open ground in the last days of May, when the flowering of apple trees ends. It feels best on fertile, loose soils. Legumes, potatoes and tomatoes are suitable as predecessor crops for this exotic beauty.
With the appearance of side shoots, the stems of young momordica seedlings should be secured to a vertical support, which can be a trellis, arch or pergola. As it grows, the vine will self-fix itself, reaching a length of up to 2 m, and wrap around the supporting structure.
However, in order to get a good harvest, the crown should not become too thick, so at the level of 9-10 internodes, it is recommended to pinch the vine and rid it of excess side shoots. For the full development of the culture, it will be enough to leave 2-3 main lashes.
During the flowering period, momordica, being a good honey plant, attracts a huge number of pollinating insects, thanks to which future fruits are formed. When grown in a greenhouse, the plant will require artificial pollination, since momordica flowers are dioecious.
The crop blooms simultaneously with the active development of shoots. It is recommended to water momordica as the soil dries out, at the rate of 10 liters of water for each adult plant.
It is important to remember that during the period of fruit ripening, the leaves of momordica burn strongly, so the access of children and pets to the plant at this time should be limited. After the first fruit ripens on it, this unpleasant property is lost.
Being a typical representative of its family, most often momordica is affected by diseases characteristic of its relatives: powdery mildew, white rot, bacteriosis.
The most dangerous plant pest is considered to be aphids. At the first signs of a disease or pest attack, measures should be taken to save momordica, which include methods for treating any pumpkin crop.
Harvesting and healing properties of momordica
To continue active fruiting of the crop, the crop should be harvested more often. However, it is worth remembering that the formation of too many fruits can seriously weaken the plant.
The medicinal properties of momordica are due to the increased content of vitamins of groups A, B, C, E, PP and F, and in terms of the amount of micronutrients, momordica has left far behind such recognized “champions” as broccoli and celery.
Thanks to this, momordica has a restorative and tonic effect on the human body. In addition, momordica has antiviral and bactericidal properties, helps regulate blood sugar levels and increase hemoglobin in it.
Also, momordica, actively participating in fat burning processes, helps reduce bad cholesterol and cleanse blood vessels, thereby reducing the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Numerous recipes for decoctions and infusions, which include momordica, are intended for the treatment of diseases such as psoriasis, furunculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, burns, prostatitis, and cancer.
Vitamin F present in the plant prevents premature aging, and with long-term use promotes cell renewal in the human body. Momordica also allows you to restore lost visual acuity and is successfully used to treat some eye diseases.
Despite the beneficial properties of momordica, in some cases there are serious contraindications to its use. Taking momordica and drugs based on it during pregnancy can cause uterine bleeding and provoke a miscarriage.
Eating the seeds of the plant can cause poisoning and the development of anemia in children, as well as exacerbation of ulcers and heartburn in people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.