Momordica balsamina L.

Forest bitter melon (Momordica balsamina) is a climbing plant up to 5 meters long of the Cucurbitaceae family, native to Africa, spreading to tropical Asia including India, Myanmar, and Indonesia. Like its bitter melon relatives, this plant is a source of carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals as well as a traditional remedy. For generations, forest bitter melon has been believed to relieve fever, cough, and liver disorders.

A tropical plant with a subtropical and warm climate, at elevations up to 1,465 m above sea level, in dry to wet regions, rainfall of 200-1,200 mm/year, all soil types.

• Leaves round-based with a kidney-shaped base, coarsely toothed margins with pinnate venation. Young leaf surface covered with fine hairs.
• Flowers solitary and bisexual, yellow corolla, without a calyx, located above the ovary.
• Fruit somewhat round with pointed ends, surface with small bumps, 5 cm long, 3 cm diameter, green when young, orange when ripe.
• Seeds wrapped in a red, sticky, mucilaginous, sweet-tasting membrane.

• Propagated by seed.
• Growth from seed is very easy, as long as the seed is protected from drought, very cold weather, and too much sun. Optimal growth requires a trellis for climbing.

• Momordicin, resin, phosphorus, oleanolic acid, albuminoids, saponins, alkaloids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, steroids.

• Treats fever, excessive uterine bleeding, syphilis, cough, rheumatism, hepatitis, and skin disorders; acts as a laxative; anti-HIV, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory; treats burns.

Not Yet Available 

Paria (Sumatra), Papareh (Java), Pania (Nusa Tenggara), Pariane (Maluku