Cerasee
Momordica charantia
Africa, Eastern Asia
Traditional Uses
Digestive relief for stomach cramps, indigestion, blood sugar & pressure reduction, body detoxication
Modern Research Uses
Capsules, teas and juice studied for blood-sugar control in diabetes; extracts researched for anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity; studied for cholesterol and blood-pressure lowering; traditional bitter tonic and laxative preparations.
Mechanism of Action
Main compounds are charantin, plant insulin (polypeptide-p), vicine, and cucurbitane triterpenoids. They act like insulin and boost the body's own blood-sugar-lowering hormones.
Body Systems Affected
Prep & Administration
Toxicity Notes
Endocrine, Digestive, Immune, Cardiovascular, Nervous
Tea, Tincture, Capsule, Topical oil, Poultice, Decoction
Moderate
Increased hypoglycemia risk when taken with reduced doses of diabetic drugs