MEDICINAL USES OF BITTER MELON

Botanical Name: Colocynthis vulgaris = Attrilus lanatus.

Yoruba Name: bara

The fruit is the medicinal part. It is used in many preparations and many health conditions where bitters is required. It is widely available in markets in the herb section. Thus it is used in combination with the roots of male pawpaw for the treatment of staphylococcus and with ring worm plant leaves and flowers (asunrun oyibo) (cassia alata), spring onion, Curculigo pilosa (epa ikun, Yoruba) for gonorrhea. Soak bara and epa ikun in palm wine for two days and drink two shot twice daily to cure gonorrhea. For Eschericha coli growth in semen soak bara in palm wine and drink 8 tablespoonfuls daily. Bara is an important ingredient in the preparation of bitters. Juice the leaves and 4 spoonfuls of it mixed with raw sugar and take once daily for 10 days to eliminate intestinal parasites.

It has laxative properties. Cut bitter melon into pieces, remove the seeds and soak in clean water in a plastic container and potash (kaun) and allow to ferment for some days. Take a shot to clear slight infections in men. Grind an ounce of the leaves with a handful of black pepper (Piper guinensis) (iyere, Yoruba) and seven cloves of garlic and sesame oil. Take this recipe on empty stomach for three days during menstruation to facilitate conception. The fruit is said to be useful in eye troubles, skin eruptions and stomach disorders. The raw juice is also used in the treatment of cholera. The root of the plant also has medicinal uses as remedy for for enlargement of the liver and spleen.

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