Know the herbs
Scientific name
Momordica charantiaFamily
CucurbitaceaeLocal name
Peria katak, bitter melon, bitter gourd, balsam apple, peria lautDescription
This herbaceous, tendril-bearing vine grows to 5m. The leaves are simple, alternate 4–12cm 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.Usage
The leaves has been used to make tea or to season soups in the western world (Kumar & Bhowmik 2010). An unripe fruit is commonly eaten as a vegetable and has been used as a folk remedy for tumors, asthma, skin infection and hypertension.Malaysia Herbal Monograph (source: Globinmed)