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FREE: 5 Seeds of Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd/Balsam Pear or Balsam Wild Apple

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Description

The listing, 5 Seeds of Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd/Balsam Pear or Balsam Wild Apple has ended.

Health benefits of Bitter gourd

Very low in calories provides only 17cal/100g. The pods are rich in phytonutrients like dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants.

Bitter melon notably contains phyto-nutrient, polypeptide-P; a plant insulin known to lower blood sugar levels. In addition it also contain hypoglycemic agent called charantin. Charantin increases glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in the cells of liver, muscle and adipose tissue. Together, these compounds are thought to be responsible for reduction of blood sugar levels in the treatment of type-2 diabetes.

Fresh pods are an excellent source of folates; contains about 72 mcg/100g (Provides 18% of RDA). Folate helps reduce incidence of neural tube defects in pregnant mothers when taken during early pregnancy.

Fresh bitter melon is an excellent source of vitamin-C (100g of raw pod provides about 140% of RDI). Vitamin-C, one of the powerful natural antioxidant, helps body scavenge deleterious free radicals one of the reasons for cancers development.

The vegetable also an excellent source of health benefiting flavonoids such as b-carotene, a- carotene, lutein, zeaxanthins. It also contains good amount of vitamin A. These compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging, cancers and various disease processes.

Bitter melon stimulates digestion and peristalsis which can be helpful in relieving indigestion and constipation problems.

The vegetable is also good source of Niacin (vitamin B-3), Pantothenic acid (vit.B-5), Pyridoxine (vit.B-6) and minerals such as iron, zinc, potassium, manganese and magnesium.

Early laboratory tests suggest that compounds in bitter melon might be effective for treating HIV infection.

The bitterness and toxicity may be reduced somewhat by parboiling or soaking in salt water for up to 10minutes.

Questions & Comments

USES:
Anorexia
Blood Impurities
Diabetes Mellitus
Diarrhea
Hangovers
Piles
Respiratory Problems
Skin Infections

Sep 6th, 2011 at 7:17:39 PM PDT by

So these are edible? Have you ever tasted one?

Sep 7th, 2011 at 5:38:54 AM PDT by

Yes! these are edible. We use the leaves and fruits as a vegetable. You can find recipes over the net w/ regards to this plant. Aside from that, we steam the leaves and squeeze the juice out from it. And take maybe 1 Tbsp or 1 tsp every four hours to relieve coughing and it really works.

Sep 7th, 2011 at 9:58:18 AM PDT by

The warty gourd is edible when green but turns toxic when orange ripe. It then splits characteristically into three parts, revealing red arils (fleshy seed covers). The ripe seeds inside the arils and orange flesh of the gourd are toxic and can make one violently lose fluids from both ends, and induce abortions. The red arils around the seeds, however, are edible. And notice this: The arils are 96% lycopene, which gives them their color. Just remember to spit out the seed from each aril.

I google it and found it. I hope it helps. And here is the link too:

http://www.eattheweeds.com/www.EatTheWeeds.Com/EatTheWeeds.com/Entries/1958/3/3_Bitter_Gourd,_Balsam_Pear:_Pharmacy_On_A_Fence.html

Sep 7th, 2011 at 10:15:54 AM PDT by

tiggies thank you for asking. that was a good question and made me learn more about this plant. =)

Sep 7th, 2011 at 10:18:08 AM PDT by

and this is the healing power link:

http://www.rain-tree.com/bitmelon.htm

Sep 7th, 2011 at 10:38:33 AM PDT by

what zones does it grow in? sun or shade areas? what time of the year is it planted? what soil and conditions does it like? how big does the plant get? how productive is the plant (e.g. do I need to grow one plant or several to get enough gourds for my use)? how long does it take from planting time to harvest?

Sep 7th, 2011 at 9:53:58 PM PDT by

These are vines (you need trellises or you can let it climb on your fence or trees) and it loves sun. But, it is not drought tolerant, so you have to water it regularly. I suggest that you plant it after frost so you can enjoy it in the mid spring to early fall. It grows 3-12ft high. You can start planting at least 2 seeds or more at both ends of the trellises and produce their first fruits about 2 months after sowing. The fruit follows a vanilla-scented flower. Soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 to 48 hours before planting. It prefers a sandy loam that drains well, though it can tolerate a wide variety of soils. Add organic material like compost to help supply the bitter melon with nutrients. The pH should be around 6.0 to 6.7 if possible. A pH as high as 8.0 will be tolerated.

Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)

I hope this helps. Thank you for asking. =)

Sep 8th, 2011 at 4:31:25 AM PDT by

In addition to that, this plant is very productive. Like other plants, harvesting encourages them to fruit more. You may want to Keep them wrapped in a paper towel in a perforated plastic bag in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days. Bitter melons do not freeze well.

Sep 8th, 2011 at 4:38:52 AM PDT by

Please be aware that its bitter flavor is quite intense. Soak the sliced and pithed melon in a quart of water to which you've added 2 tbs. of salt. Soak for several hours and squeeze well. Soaking in salt water diminishes the bitter taste.

Sep 8th, 2011 at 4:57:22 AM PDT by

5 Seeds of Bitter Melon/Bitter Gourd/Balsam Pear or Balsam Wild Apple is in the Home & Garden | Gardening | Gardening Seeds & Bulbs category