Momordica - medicinal properties and use

This fruit is also called Indian pomegranate, bitter melon, balsamic pear, yellow cucumber. Momordica refers to exotic herbaceous plants, lovingly created by nature, to be useful to man and to please the eye with yourself.

Features of the plant

Momordica grows in tropical conditions - in China, India, Indonesia, South America, on the Philippine Islands, its homeland is Southeast Asia. Crimea also boasts some types of yellow cucumbers. Indian pomegranate is considered to be a relative of vegetables familiar to everyone in the CIS countries - pumpkins, cucumbers, and zucchini. Momordica grows on vines, reaching about 5 meters in length. They look quite aesthetically pleasing and even impressive.When touching the carved leaves of the plant, fingers are slightly “bitten”. It is thanks to this that Momordica got its “biting” name. The inflorescences have a yellow color and a subtle fragrance that insects like.

The shape of the fruit is similar to cucumbers and in some it is associated with an oblong pumpkin. When they mature, they are initially slightly yellow, the color gradually becomes more saturated, acquiring an orange tint. Peel momordiki looks like a chestnut, it is covered with a lot of small and prickly pimples. The ripened fruit cracks into several parts, its dark-red pericarp is exposed. Amazingly beautiful momordica seeds have a brown color and original patterns in Indian style. The taste of the fruit is somewhat reminiscent of a persimmon and a little melon.

Nutritional characteristics

The food is used to eat the pulp of momordiki. But in the recipes of traditional medicine, you can use absolutely all of its parts, including the peel, seeds, and even "biting" leaves. They contain a whole range of vitamins and minerals that are very useful for the human body.

• Proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
• Amino acids.
• Alkaloids.
• Vitamins of groups A, B, E, C, and F.
• Mineral salts, phosphorus and calcium.
• Phenols, oils, resins, saponins.
• Folic and nicotinic acid.
• Harantin is a natural compound that helps reduce sugar concentration.

Culinary properties

Seeds with a high content of essential oils are used as an aromatic seasoning for various dishes, in baking and confectionery.

Indian pomegranate is necessarily present in the composition of the popular Indian curry seasoning. Many interesting and unusual dishes can be prepared from momordiki. If you want to please home and surprise guests, original recipes will come to the rescue.

Stuffed Momordica

Fruits cut in half and clean the pulp. Boil the rice and add the pork and beef mince. There to taste your favorite seasonings, the best fit: thyme, tarragon, zira. Prepared fruits stuffed with minced rice and seasoning. Put them in a container suitable for extinguishing. Pour water (you can broth) to the level of the contents of the tank, salt and season with pepper. Simmer on low heat for about 35 minutes until cooked. Instead of water, you can use liquid cream or sour cream with a low level of fat.

You can also bake in the oven stuffed momordika, cutting it across or along.

Marinated momordica

Momordica should be washed and cut into slices. Put them in a non-metallic container. Currant leaves, a couple of garlic cloves, a few branches of dill, allspice to add to the slices of momordika. Prepare the marinade: stir a tablespoon of salt and a tablespoon of sugar in a liter of water, add half a glass of natural apple or wine vinegar. Pour the marinade into a stainless steel or enameled pot, bring to a boil and pour over the fruit. The dish is ready to eat after two days.Perfect as a snack to the festive table.

Thus, you can harvest momordika long shelf life, after sterilizing banks.

In addition to stewing and marinating with Indian pomegranate, you can cook a huge variety of simple and very unusual dishes. Adding momordika, pre-fry, in the usual scrambled eggs, you can have breakfast quickly and useful, while receiving a charge of energy and positive for the whole day.

Medicinal properties

Traditional medicine has long recognized this plant. Therefore, on its basis, a large number of medical products manufactured using the latest technologies are produced. Basically, these drugs are homeopathic.

Since ancient times, Chinese healers have been using the properties of momordica, using it as an antiseptic and immunomodulatory substance.

1. She treats gastrointestinal infections, catarrhal and viral diseases affecting the upper respiratory tract.
2. This plant is justified in the list of those drugs that help strengthen the immune system.
3. Native American people used momordica to cure measles, scabies, and hepatitis.
4. Due to its properties, it is in demand when it is bitten by a snake or a harmful insect.
5. Momordica is also used to fight off internal parasitic worms (worms).
6. It is useful for those who suffer from asthma, arthritis, leukemia and even oncology.
7. The use of fruits and seeds allows you to remove cholesterol, clear the circulatory system, prevent heart attack and stroke.
8. The healing capabilities of the Indian pomegranate will help improve or restore vision, cure psoriasis, renal and hepatic pathologies, and return man's strength.
9. In the leaves and fruits of the plant is extremely useful and rare substance - charantine. It needs the pancreas, whose cells produce insulin. For them, quarantine is of great importance.
10. The amazing healing properties of momordica have a positive effect on the endocrine system. Its use contributes to the normalization of blood sugar levels, which is extremely important for people who suffer from diabetes.

Preparation of healing infusion

To prepare a medicinal tincture, you need to take the fruits of momordika. Separate the flesh of the fruit from the peel, chop into cubes and put in a large non-metallic container with a volume of about three liters. Then pour vodka into the dishes, about 500 ml, it should completely cover the contents of the container. Cover the infusion with a tight lid and stand in the fridge for two weeks. It is required to use tincture of Mamordica 30 minutes before a meal, 1 tsp. three times a day.

Take this tool for colds and infectious diseases to increase the body's defenses. The positive effect of such a drink is important for rheumatism, as well as for other inflammations.

Cooking healing broth

To make a healing decoction of momordiki, you need to take its seeds in the amount of 20-25 pieces. They need to grind. You can do it manually or with a blender. In a small saucepan, pour 300 ml of water and put on fire. After the water begins to boil, add the previously prepared raw materials to it and boil over a small fire for 10 minutes after boiling.Next, cover and infuse for about 1 hour. Take a decoction of 50 ml 3 - 4 times a day.

Such a remedy is extremely effective as a diuretic. It is shown to be used to reduce body temperature and to relieve swelling.

The leaves of momordiki in the form of tinctures and decoctions are used for cosmetic purposes for the skin of the face. They have a rejuvenating, toning, antiseptic effect. The skin after using such a product acquires elasticity, freshness. The pores narrow and become less visible, the face looks rested and velvety.

The use of rich in vitamins infusions inward enriches the body with nutrients. The condition of hair and nails is improved, the health of teeth is maintained.

Fruits have a low calorie and decent taste with the most saturated with useful and necessary substances composition. 100 grams of the product is only about 20 calories. Therefore, it is recommended to include it in the diet for people who want to lose weight.

Contraindications

Despite the extreme usefulness of momordica, it still does not need to be abused so as not to harm.If you eat a lot of this fruit, you can get unpleasant symptoms similar to poisoning: dizziness, weakness and nausea.

The composition of Indian pomegranates rich in vitamins and microelements may not be useful for everyone. With the exception of people with individual allergic reactions, momordika should be used with extreme caution:

• Pregnant and lactating women.
• Children up to 3 years and older.
• People suffering from diseases of the digestive tract.
• Those who have previously experienced individual allergic reactions to exotic fruits.

Video: application momordika