Momordika has the appearance of a grassy climbing vine and belongs to the family of pumpkin. The native land of the plant is India and South-East Asia, but today this crocodile cucumber, rabbit melon and Indian pomegranate, as it is also called, began to grow in Slavic countries in many ways because of its decorativeness, but very few people know that Momordica possesses mass of medicinal properties.
Description and application
Although momordika and pumpkin culture, its thin and long stems can reach a height of more than 2 meters. After flowering young green fruits appear, the surface of which seems to be covered with warts. Gradually the color changes to yellow or yellow-orange, and inside the fruit there is a juicy pericarp of dark-ruby color. The taste is very similar to persimmon, but the shell of the fruit resembles a pumpkin, only a bit bitter. The flesh and seeds of this plant are widely used in cooking in Asian countries. They cook, fry, add to salads, first courses and combine with vegetables.
Indian cucumber is a favorite dish in Japanese Okinawa, with both ripe and unripe fruits consumed as food, which are equally useful and pleasant and differ only in tartness and sharpness of taste. Momordica is included in the composition of the Indian Indian flavoring curry, and if you insist on alcohol, you can get a fragrant home tincture, liqueur or wine. Due to its useful properties, momordica is widely used in medicine, not only fruits, but also seeds, leaves, root and stems.
Therapeutic properties of the plant Momordica
In addition to proteins, fats and carbohydrates, vitamins - E, F, C, folic acid, minerals - calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, as well as amino acids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, resins, oils, etc. are included in the composition of momordica. Nutritious the value of a frenzied pumpkin far exceeds the value of eggplant and bell pepper. Vitamin E in its composition is the prevention of premature aging, vitamin F provides the body with energy, and folic acid is involved in the production of new cells, increases the resistance of the nervous system to stress, advocates cancer prevention.
Momordica is one of the few plants containing hararantin - a substance that can reduce blood sugar. Such therapeutic properties of momordica are widely used in diabetes mellitus. Seeds of fruits are rich in fatty oils and momordicin-an alkaloid, which has anti-febrile, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. This gives grounds to use seeds to combat seasonal cold infections, as well as the healing of all kinds of cuts, wounds and ulcers on the skin. In addition, they are able to strengthen immunity, increase hemoglobin level, reduce the concentration of "bad" cholesterol .
Useful properties of the leaves of momordica are used in the therapy of hypertension, cough, and pain syndrome. Fruits clean the vessels, reduce the risk of heart and vascular disease, improve vision. Useful properties of alcohol tincture of Indian cucumber Momordica used to combat rheumatism and psoriasis, colds. Decoction of seeds has proven itself in the treatment of hemorrhoids and as a diuretic. No less valuable qualities are the powder from the seeds, which is used as widely as the broth. Kashitsu of pulp ancient Indian women from time to time used to make all kinds of face masks that have a rejuvenating effect. They also made it possible to eliminate skin rashes, acne and pancreas.
To warn about the metered use of Momordica is not necessary, because it is simply impossible to "overeat" it - it will take time to get used to it.