Bitter Melon: Cheap Alternative Medicine for Type 2 Diabetes

By >> Ryan Acosta

One of the most recognizable symbols of Taiwan is the iconic half-kilometer tall Taipei 101 tower. Billed as the second highest man-made structure in the world, the skyscraper has been shown countless of times in television programs, discussed over the radio for how many umpteenth hours, and featured in numerous articles.

Yet Taipei is not just the 101 tower. The city also has other equally interesting facets: its culture, people, and food. When you talk about Taipei, you can't ignore the food. Taipei has been known for being a hub for those seeking exotic gastronomic treats, such as, rich and succulent steamed chicken feet, spicy balls of rooster's testicles, and deep fried bitter melons.

Haven't heard of bitter melons yet? Well, the name says it all: its wrinkled oblong-shaped fruit is one of the bitterest vegetables in the world. A native of the tropics, bitter melon (Momordica charantia), is commonly used in Asian cuisine for its unique bitter flavor. And Asians don't just love to eat it: they also love it because of its very efficacious medicinal properties.

The great ancient Chinese physician Li Shizen included bitter melon in his well known pharmaceutical text Compendium of Materia Medica (circa 1603) and listed the fruit as an effective remedy against extreme heat and fatigue. Indeed, it has been used by ancient Asian cultures other than the Chinese to relieve constipation and dyspepsia and to treat chronic conditions like diabetes. Then mainstream Western medicine came and overshadowed traditional Asian folk remedies.